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Completed Shelter Expansion Project Open for Supporters
Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) held an Open House in August to allow major donors and supporters to see the completed shelter, dubbed The Noble C. & Jule Quandel Center, and the new Administration Building & Counseling Center. Due to our donors’ generosity, The Quandel Center has nearly doubled in shelter capacity. SWiC housed more women and children in fiscal year 2010/2011 than any year throughout its 28-year history – despite operating at reduced capacity for the first six months of the year due to construction. SWiC’s new Administration Building & Counseling Center provides space where survivors seeking agency services other than shelter – the majority of clients SWiC serves each year – can receive them without jeopardizing the privacy of shelter residents. Additionally, the new building houses an education center that is used for group counseling, training, and meetings of local professionals who collaborate in developing strategies aimed at deterring domestic violence in our community. 
Click here to download the flyer in PDF format SWiC Plans Third Annual ARISE As Part of Growing Partnerships with Faith Community It’s that time of year again! Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) is planning its Third Annual ARISE (Awareness Raising, Information Sharing Event) for leaders in the faith community. This free, 2 ½-hour seminar will be held this year from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 13, at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland. When victims of domestic violence decide to break the silence and seek help, surveys show that a leader in their faith community will be among the first people to whom they turn. SWiC seeks to partner with the faith community in order to (1) provide avenues whereby abuse victims may address spiritual concerns and (2) provide information to the faith community to address other needs of victims in a way that promotes safety for all. 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. ARISE includes basic information about domestic violence, SWiC and its services. The seminar also then focuses on a different specific related topic each year, and this year’s topic is child sexual abuse. A resource table will be available for browsing, and time will be allotted for questions and discussion. Although the seminar is free, please register as soon as possible by calling Darla at SWiC, 570.622.3991, or emailing swicgrantwriter@comcast.net. We are in need of the following items for SWiC’s emergency shelter: · Laundry and Cleaning Detergent, · Hand soap, · Toothpaste. We would also like to collect a few wheeled grocery baskets for residents who must walk to the grocery store. If you have any of the following gently used items, please contact SWiC: pots & pans, cookware, dishes, glassware, ladies clothing sizes 3x & 4x, and twin bed sheet sets. If anyone would like to organize a collection for Make A Difference Day to benefit women and children seeking SWiC services, the following items would be beneficial: Cookware, Dishes/Utensils/Glassware, Brooms/Mops, Laundry detergent Twin Sheet sets, Blankets, Pillows, Towels/washcloths Body Soap, Toothpaste/toothbrushes, Feminine hygiene products Gift cards for Walmart, Giant, or Sheetz Sponsor Thanksgiving Dinner/Christmas Dinner Sponsor – Christmas Tree and ornaments Please see SWiC’s Donation Policy on our website, www.s-wic.org. If you are able to donate any of the above needed items, please call SWiC’s office at 570.622.3991 or email swicagency@comcast.net to make arrangements. Thank you! |
Helping SWiC Through “Friends Helping Friends” You can be a “friend” of SWiC by purchasing a $5 Shopping Pass for Boscov’s to be used on Tuesday, October 4, for “Friends Helping Friends” day. The Shopping Pass entitles the holder to 25% off purchases, with some exclusions. Shoppers can also register to win prizes, such as a flat screen TV, jewelry, and a shopping spree. The cost of $5 for each Shopping Pass purchased from SWiC goes entirely to SWiC. If you are interested in purchasing a Shopping Pass – or if you are a volunteer interested in selling passes – to benefit SWiC, call the office at 570.622.3991.  Check out SWiC’s presentations or resources at the following upcoming events: Schuylkill Health Centers, various times monthly Staff Education Days Saturday, September 24 Health Fair at Christ Evangelical Free Church, Strausstown, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, October 4 Friends Helping Friends Day at Boscov’s (see related article) Saturday, October 8 Health Fair at Church of the Nazarene, Lavelle, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, October 13 9-11:30 a.m. – ARISE, seminar with leaders in faith community, Christ United Lutheran Church, Ashland (see related article) Tuesday, October 25 Amy’s Story, Penn State Schuylkill, 7-9 p.m. Thursday, October 27 Schuylkill County Heath Fair – Courthouse Jury Lounge, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Community Awareness Night – Hegins Hubley Elementary School, 6 p.m. Volunteer Trainings Underway Volunteer training sessions have begun, and we have a great group of participants interested in helping victims of domestic violence in our community! Anyone interested in helping directly with the women and children must complete the state-mandated 45-hour training. Without the training, one can assist in ways that do not involve direct contact with clients, such as at fundraisers, tables in malls and other public events, stuffing envelopes and other clerical assistance, etc. In addition, anyone can assist SWiC by organizing drives for nonperishable food, new clothing, shelter supplies, or other items, or by arranging for SWiC to speak to groups or organizations where they participate. Please contact SWiC’s office, 570.622.3991, before beginning any drives. Anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity should contact Mary Jo at 570.622.3991 or swicmedadv@comcast.net. More information can be found on our website, www.s-wic.org Special NOTES FOR VOLUNTEERS: Mark your calendars for the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. for Volunteer Meetings. The next Volunteer Meeting will be October 11 at 7:30 p.m. (note later starting time this month) when current volunteers will share their experiences with those attending the training. Mary Jo will send reminders, but please RSVP either way. 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. Check out SWiC’s ‘Face’ 
Schuylkill Women in Crisis (SWiC) has joined Facebook. Access SWiC’s facebook page by going to www.facebook.com/swicpa and click “like” next to the name. Check out the news, events, fundraisers, and notices for items SWiC really needs. Help spread the word by encouraging family and friends to do the same. Thank you, SWiC Supporters and “Friends!” 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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swicagency@comcast.net with the subject line "Unsubscribe" Visit the Newsletter Archive to view past editions of the SWiC E-Newsletter |