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SWIC Breaks Ground to Better Serve Survivors and Community SWIC officially broke ground May 14 for its Shelter Expansion Project which will significantly increase capacity of its emergency shelter and provide for the relocation of administrative offices and non-residential services to a separate facility. SWIC board president and capital campaign co-chair Jule Quandel was joined by Attorney Paul Datte, campaign co-chair and SWIC Advisory Board Member, in thanking the community, acknowledging that without their support the expansion would not have been possible. In 2008, as the country faced the greatest economic downturn since the great depression, Schuylkill Countians demonstrated their strong commitment to ensuring that women and children are safe as they offered their support for SWIC’s $2 million Quarter Century Capital Campaign. Critical to the success of the campaign was a $1 million state matching grant secured by Representatives Neal P. Goodman and Tim D. Seip. Linked to the challenging economic conditions, state tax credits that had been designated for the project were eliminated by the legislature during last year’s budget crisis. Though not present at the groundbreaking, U.S. Congressman Tim Holden provided significant assistance with securing federal funds, administered by the state, to offset the loss of the credits allowing construction to move forward. The Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners was also recognized for their willingness to designate federal monies administered by the county, as well as Act 137 monies following the recommendation of the county’s Low Income Housing Advisory Board. Act 137 funds are generated through fees from real estate transactions to develop low income housing. The Quandel Group Inc. is the design-builder for the project, and Evergreen Building, Inc. and Charles E. Snukis, Contractor, are main contractors for the work. John E. Levkulic of Levkulic Associates is project engineer. SWIC’s capital campaign had been motivated in part by the increasing numbers of women and children seeking shelter services but turned away because the facility is so often filled to capacity. This expansion project will eventually allow the shelter to accommodate up to 32 women and children (an increase of 15), homeless as a result of domestic violence. Administrative offices and non-residential services will be moved from the shelter facility to a nearby building, increasing privacy for shelter residents and enhancing confidentiality for all clients. Because only about 1 in 5 SWIC clients seeks shelter services, moving nonresidential services out of the shelter will also enable the agency to focus more on those services utilized most often, such as counseling, court accompaniment, and assistance in filing Protection From Abuse orders. A small wing is being added to the shelter that will include an elevator – bringing the facility into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and current codes. In addition, living areas will be arranged in suites, allowing women to be grouped according to their circumstances. For example, accommodations for elderly women and mothers with newborns will fit their diverse needs. The response a victim receives when seeking help is key in their ability to move forward and heal. Thanks to the generosity of the Schuylkill County community, women and children experiencing domestic violence know that their community is willing to make great sacrifice to ensure that they are able to live free of abuse. Those in attendance in addition to Jule Quandel and Paul Datte include: Mantura M. Gallagher, Chair, Schuylkill County Commissioners Frank Staudenmeier, Schuylkill County Commissioners Francis V. McAndrew, Schuylkill County Commissioners Representative Neal P. Goodman Joe Chicora, Project Manager, The Quandel Group Inc. John E. Levkulic, P.E., Project Engineer, Levkulic Associates Wendi Wheeler, past SWIC President Marie Canfield, SWIC Property Manager Sarah T. Casey, SWIC Executive Director Gary Bender, Schuylkill County Grantwriter Antoinette “Toni” Marchowsky, Budget Analyst, Appropriations Committee - Chairman Dwight Evans, PA House of Representatives Proceeds Benefit SWIC 
Check out The Grateful Thread’s new website and online store at www.gratefulthread.org 25% OFF all items in the online store. Don't miss out on this chance to save! Several volunteers are planning and organizing a 5K Walk/Run to benefit SWIC on Saturday, July 24, in Pottsville. Runners will start 8:30 a.m. and walkers at 8:45. Keep your eyes open for more details to come! |
SWIC’s 15th Annual Spring Challenge was a big hit at its new location, Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville area. As the agency’s largest fundraiser, the golf tournament attracted 32 foursomes teeing off on a beautiful spring day. A huge hit was the Nike Tent filled with products that could be purchased with the $50 Nike Gift Card given to each participant. Winning foursomes were as follows: 1st Flight Men’s Bob Carl, Roy Heim, Chris Pishock, Jim Rattigan 1st Flight Women’s Carol Field, Judith Hoffman, Jackie McGovern, Kay Williams 1st Flight Mixed Tim Firestone, Bill Kramer, Margie McQuillin, Amy Newton Check out the video of the event, and mark the last Friday in April on your calendar to participate in next year’s SWIC Spring Challenge! SWIC would not be able to provide comprehensive services to about 1,000 victims of domestic violence each year without community support. Each month in this e-newsletter we will list items most needed at this time for use in SWIC’s emergency shelter. For the month of May, we could use: · Personal hygiene products · Toothpaste · Paper Towels If you are able to donate any of these items, please call SWIC’s office at 570.622.3991 or email swicagency@comcast.net to make arrangements. Thank you! NOTE: Due to extensive renovations underway on SWIC facilities, we are no longer able to accept general donations (clothing, toys, small household items, etc.) until mid-June 2010. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please consider SWIC as a recipient of your used items again in the summer. 
Iris will present at the following locations: Friday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. – Frackville Vo-Tech Wed., May 26, 1:00 p.m. – Presentation at Newman Apartments, Saint Clair Wed., June 2, 10 a.m.-noon – Senior Citizen Expo at the Schuylkill Mall (VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY) Wed., June 30, 1 p.m. – Queen of Peace Apartments, Pottsville Sat., July 24, starting 8:30 a.m. – 5K Walk/Run to benefit SWIC, Pottsville (VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: If any indirect or direct service volunteers are interested in helping at either of the above listed events/opportunities, please contact Iris at 570.622.3991 or swicmedadv@comcast.net. In addition, as SWIC’s shelter undergoes major renovations, various items must be packed up and moved (perhaps more than once) as we continue to provide comprehensive services during the renovations. Indirect or Direct Service Volunteers can help with packing/unpacking, property upkeep (sweeping, pulling weeds, picking up trash, etc.), organizing closets, preparing training manuals for the fall volunteer training, photocopying, and more. Direct Service Volunteer opportunities include hotline coverage and shelter coverage. Any volunteers who have completed the 45-hour training and are interested in specialized training for shelter coverage or courthouse assistance should contact Iris for scheduling of that training. If you have any block of time available, please contact Iris at 570.622.3991 to arrange times and projects for your assistance. If you schedule a time to come and then can not make it, please call the office to let us know. |
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