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SWiC’s Shelter Expansion Project Completed 
SWiC staff stock a kitchen in a new shelter suite. While the Project addresses the need for increased shelter capacity, SWiC faces the increased operational expenses of an expanded building and serving greater numbers. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet emergency needs. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the community as SWiC is able to offer the extent of services that we do only because of community support. SWiC must remain able to offer accessible, comprehensive, quality services. To learn more about how you can help, check www.s-wic.org or call the office, 570.622.3991. to Manage Abundance 
The Property Manager is responsible for overseeing all donations other than monetary and for determining what items will be stored for the use of residents and/or clients of Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) or for use at the shelter facility and/or transitional housing. The Property Manager will also maintain a list of clients in need of items to be set aside. Because of limited storage space and the exorbitant amount of donations received, all items not stored by the Property Manager will be made available for inspection and use by residents, clients, volunteers, and staff. Availability of donations to residents shall be Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. or otherwise directed by staff on duty.* The Property Manager must approve all items that are available for volunteers and staff. Any and all remaining items will be donated to other agencies and/or organizations to be disbursed at their discretion. SWiC greatly appreciates donations of items, but due to fire code, limited storage space, and concerns regarding the spread of bedbugs, SWiC has adopted the following procedures regarding the acceptance of donations: 1.Donations will be accepted only 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays or by appointment. 2.Donations will be accepted only from individuals who have registered as donors and provided SWiC their name, address, phone number, and email (if available). Register online at www.s-wic.org/donations or by calling SWiC’s office at 570.622.3991. 3.ALL DONATED ITEMS MUST BE CLEAN AND IN GOOD CONDITION. SWiC reserves the right to refuse any donations. 4.The following will be accepted: women and children’s clothing; small household appliances (e.g., toasters, coffee pots, etc.); lamps; bedding; towels; plates, cups, glasses, silverware, pots and pans; children’s toys, children’s books, and games. However, SWiC will NOT accept encyclopedias, stuffed animals, and puzzles. 5.Drives of NEW items collected by others on behalf of SWiC will be accepted. 6.Individuals interested in donating furniture, televisions, and computers should be referred to the Property Manager who will make arrangements to inspect the items and determine if they can be used by the agency and/or its clients. 7.No used large appliances – such as stoves, refrigerators, washers, etc. – will be accepted. However, SWiC will take the name and phone number of those interested in donating such items and post their availability for interested residents and clients. 8.When the storage area for donated items is filled, SWiC will not accept additional items until the space is clear. Interested donors should be directed to the Salvation Army Thrift Store and CareNet’s New Life Shoppe on Centre Street in Pottsville or asked to hold their items until storage space is available. (Donors will have to call to check on space availability.) *Any new residents coming into shelter before or after scheduled times will have access to donations. Proceeds benefit SWiC 
Check out The Grateful Thread’s website and online store at www.gratefulthread.org for beautiful bargains that support SWiC! 
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Domestic Violence-Related Fatalities Rise Despite a Pennsylvania state police report showing a dip in violent crime, domestic violence- related fatalities were up significantly in 2009 — more than 22% from the year before and nearly 49% from 2007, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV). The bad economy is one of the main factors driving the increase, say some advocates. The reason may have to do with power and control. Abusers who lose their jobs may feel they have less control in their lives, and power and control are two of the hallmarks of abuse. Community resources to aid abuse victims are also diminishing statewide. In some areas, victims may experience delays in the court system and/or fewer police officers/departments. In addition, money for domestic violence services was cut 2% in this year’s state budget. To curtail abuse, children and teenagers need to be better educated about having healthy relationships and the warning signs of an abusive relationship. SWiC staff is available to provide presentations to any size class or setting and to any grade level. Call Mary Jo, 570.622.3991, for more information or to schedule a presentation. To learn more about domestic violence and what you can do to help, visit the PCADV website at www.pcadv.org or SWiC’s website at www.s-wic.org.  Check out SWiC’s presentations or resources at the following upcoming events: Wednesday, January 19 Federal Prison, Minersville Schuylkill Health Centers (various times throughout February) Staff Education Days Tuesday, February 15 Non-profit Expo for Schuylkill Leadership Class Saturday, March 5 Lunch meeting with Delta Kappa Gamma, service sorority Volunteer Training Planned for Spring Have you ever thought about volunteering for SWiC? For some volunteer opportunities, a state-mandated 40-hour training is required. SWiC is tentatively scheduling a training for the spring. Classes are usually scheduled for two nights a week for 6 weeks. If you are interested or have questions about the training, contact Mary Jo. Special NOTES FOR VOLUNTEERS: Mark your calendars for the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, February 8, for Volunteer Meetings. Mary Jo will send reminders, but please RSVP either way. She will also email any schedule changes if the weather doesn't cooperate. Volunteers are needed to help organize and maintain SWiC’s Donation Room. If you are interested, contact Mary Jo. Please remember to EMAIL OR DROP OFF YOUR VOLUNTEER SLIPS AND HOURS to Mary Jo at the end of every month. This is VERY IMPORTANT!! If you are available to help in SWiC’s offices or are interested in practicing answering hotline calls or other tasks, please contact Mary Jo at 570.622.3991 or swicmedadv@comcast.net. We are in URGENT need of the following items for SWiC’s newly renovated and expanded emergency shelter: · Twin sheets, · Pillows, · Towels, · Children's underwear, · Children's pajamas. If you are able to donate any of these items, please call SWiC’s office AS SOON AS POSSIBLE at 570.622.3991 or email swicagency@comcast.net to make arrangements. Thank you! NOTE: The extensive renovations to SWiC’s facilities have been completed with only minor final touches left to do. As we recently began to accept general donations again, we filled to the limit almost immediately! Thank you for your support! However, due to inundations of clothing, fire hazards, limited space, and the issue with bed bugs, SWiC is revising its donation policy. Please see SWiC’s NEW DONATION POLICY in this issue. To those of you who donated gifts, food, treats, decorations, gift cards, and money to brighten the holidays for families fleeing abuse – THANK YOU! We at SWiC know how much your generosity means to struggling families. Here are what a few of them had to say: “Thank you so much for everything. It is much appreciated!” “Thank you for the most amazing Christmas I have ever had.” “Thank you so much for being there for me and my boys.” Victims of domestic violence demonstrate a leap of faith when fleeing abusive relationships, and we appreciate the community’s support and commitment to helping them land on their feet. Your thoughtfulness shows them they are not alone and people do care. To learn how you can help, contact SWiC’s office at 570.622.3991. |
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