First
Parish Unitarian UniversalistLet Peace Begin With Me
Domestic Violence and Anti-Oppression Task Group
Task Force Goals
Meeting Report from Sunday, October 5, 2008
Task force members and friends gathered to discuss current and future action plans to support domestic violence survivors and begin the work of prevention.
Present
“Change for Change” project:
Please consider dropping your loose change into our jar to supplement our start-up budget. Today we collected $12.23.
Thanks to Dillon and Marley for sorting and counting. Some of the quarters will be used to include in our “Welcome
Bags” for women guests so that they can make phone calls. Most of the money will go to buy material for curtains, pillows,
soft blankets.
"Save the Samples" project:
In Womansplace community office, we have a basket with samples for woman to take as needed. Right now our basket is empty.
Sample shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc. is greatly appreciated. A large bag for collection is in the
parlor.
“Welcome Bags” project:
When families enter the shelter we decided to provide needed everyday items for women, babies, pre-school and school-age
guests. There are 4 containers in the parlor for collection. Our group voted today to give these “We Care” bags four
times during the year.
Future
This year our goal is to engage the men in our First Parish Community in working to end domestic violence. The men on the task force are exploring the idea of getting involved in the “White Ribbon Campaign”. For background information and to see what other communities are doing there are many good websites to visit. A good one is: MIJD (Men’s Initiative of Jane Doe)
Clothing Sale and Welcome Bags
The clothing sale is back by popular demand. The "Let Peace Begin With Me" task force is sponsoring a clothing sale with all profits going to our "Adopt a Room" program. We’ll provide comfort items like pillows, linens, comforters, lamps etc. to soften the surroundings of women and children who are fleeing domestic violence. Please start saving those "not my size" clothes so we can recycle them for a great cause.
Also we’re planning to supply "welcome bags" for women and children as they enter the shelter. We’ll provide personal care items for the women, a bag with a book, stuffed animal, coloring book and crayons for pre-school children and a backpack with needed school items for school age children. They come with nothing and we can make that first step to freedom a little easier. There will be large containers at First Parish in September for any donations you may have: small stuffed animals, new books for young children, coloring books, crayons, notebooks, pens, pencils etc. Thanks in advance for your help and enthusiasm. We really can make a difference!
Outreach
A letter from the Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc.
Dear friends,
Please call your Senator today and ask them to support amendment #723 for domestic violence and sexual assault services!!!
We at Jane Doe Inc and our members thank you for all you have done in the 2009 state budget process to support a realistic increase for domestic violence and sexual assault services in Massachusetts. Your calls and visits to legislators truly made a difference.
We have sounded the alarm about the high level of sexual assault and the upsurge in domestic violence homicides in our state.
We are working with the media, the courts, state agencies, such as the Department of Public Health and the Office of Public Safety to make a plan to increase our public awareness, prevention activities in neighborhoods and to strengthen what we know works, such as sound law enforcement practice and batterer intervention. We are polling our members and asking ourselves what we can do to step up our efforts right now-today.
However, we know that we have exhausted all we can with no new resources. Research has validated that a strong local domestic violence program with an array of services is a protective factor against domestic violence homicide, yet we have only pieced together what is needed to prevent homicide and only weakened our network by under funding programs over time and forcing a choice between prevention and community-based services.
Like a road or bridge, once the infrastructure of the safety net for individuals is damaged, small improvements won’t fix the problem. As we have seen in Massachusetts unfortunately, it often can make it more dangerous. We are seeking a nearly 10 million dollar increase for domestic violence and sexual assault services across the Commonwealth. The House took a step in the right direction. Today, we will see if the Senate is willing to demonstrate the leadership we will need in this state to alter the path we are on now and make things safer for every member of the Commonwealth.
Your call today will affect the lives of thousands of victims, survivors and communities.
Thank you,
Mary R. Lauby
Executive Director
Jane Doe Inc.