SWIC Plans First Annual ARISE Thursday, October 22nd

FEATURE STORY OF THE MONTH Halloween Safety Tips for Kids

As another step in Schuylkill Women in Crisis’s (SWIC’s) efforts to build partnerships with the faith community, SWIC is holding its first annual free two-hour informational seminar called ARISE (Awareness Raising, Information Sharing Event). ARISE is open to pastors and other leaders in the faith community who may be in a position where others may seek their counsel or help in times of need, such as if they are experiencing or have experienced abuse in a relationship. Topics to be covered include basic information about domestic violence, SWIC and its services, and a DVD about what churches can do concerning domestic violence. In addition, a member of the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (SEAPA) will talk about elder abuse. A resource table will be available for browsing, and time will be allotted for questions and discussion. ARISE will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2009, at First United Church of Christ, 110 Route 61 South, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Although the seminar is free, please register as soon as possible by calling Darla at SWIC, 570.622.3991, or emailing swicgrantwriter@comcast.net. "Alicia's Column" You may have seen SWIC’s new posters in hospitals, the courthouse, police stations, businesses, social service agencies, and more. Keep your eyes open! We think the new design is more appealing and eye-catching. The posters feature SWIC's 24 hour hotline number available on a pull off tab for anybody who wishes to take one. We are currently in the process of distributing them all throughout Schuylkill County. Do you know of a business or community organization that would like to have our posters? Perhaps your place of employment, your school, your church, your doctor’s office. Let us know! We'll be in the community throughout the months of October and November at both private and public events (listed below). One in three women will be abused at some point in her life. We educate the community about domestic violence and SWIC services. Would you welcome a presentation for your group? Sample topics include domestic violence in the workplace, dating violence, building bridges with faith communities, and prevention programs to children’s groups and schools. We can tailor our programs to your needs. Call me at 570.622.3991 for more information. Wed., Oct. 22 – ARISE (Awareness Raising, Information Sharing Event) First United Church of Christ, Route 61, Schuylkill Haven, 9 to 11 a.m. To attend ARISE or for more information, call 570.622.3991 Wed., Oct. 28, 2009 - Community Awareness Night Hegins-Hubley Elementary School, 6 to 7 p.m. 1801 West Main Street, Valley View Fri., Nov. 4, 2009 - Community Safety Meeting Saint Clair Police Department, 7 p.m. 24 North Second St., Saint Clair View our Events Page It’s not too late to submit your ideas for SWIC’s contest to name this column! Watch below for more details.

Ensuring the safety of all children is a priority of Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWIC) and all domestic violence organizations. We recommend that anyone who plans to take children trick-or-treating this Halloween should follow some simple safety tips. Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make it fireproof, and eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision. If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that children’s costumes won't accidentally be set on fire. Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop, such as a wand or pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Kids always want to help with pumpkin carving. Small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut the top or the face. Many kits are available with tiny saws that work better and are safer than knives, although you can be cut by them as well. It's best to let kids clean out the pumpkin and draw a face on it, which an adult can carve for them. Treating your kids to a special spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you have a chance to check it for them. Teaching kids basic everyday safety -- such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, looking both ways before crossing streets, and crossing when the lights indicate -- will help make them safer when they are out trick-or-treating. The Grateful Thread Holiday Shopping Special The Grateful Thread, a weaving business operated by Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWIC), will be open for holiday shopping from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, through Saturday, December 5. Come see many of our popular items available in seasonal and holiday colors and also the handmade artistry of several consignment artists. The store is located at 20 North Centre Street, Pottsville. And check out The Grateful Thread’s new website and online store at www.gratefulthread.org. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, email swicnews@gmail.com with the subject line "Unsubscribe" 570.622.3991 . . . . www.s-wic.org October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Thank you for supporting SWIC and the fight against domestic violence!