STOP THE VIOLENCE. END THE SILENCE.
Our Mission: Safe Harbor saves lives by providing education, advocacy, counseling, & shelter to break the cycle of domestic violence.
Thank you Bon Secours…
On May 2, Safe Harbor hosted the second annual Beacon of Hope Award, at the Colony Club, created in 2007 to recognize outstanding individuals or agencies who have worked to end domestic violence in the Richmond Community. This year’s recipient, Bon Secours Health System served as catalyst in launching Safe Harbor in April 2000. Peggy Spicer, a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital was distressed because there were not enough safehouse beds for the patients victimized by domestic violence. She began the project that is now Safe Harbor. She sought the assistance of the Missions Department at Bon Secours Richmond Health System and involved a variety of community partners helping Safe Harbor to open its doors in April 2000. Since that time, Bon Secours and its employees have provided financial assistance, partnered on community education initiatives and health promotion, provided board leadership and vision, and supported its employees by referring staff to Safe Harbor. This support has been instrumental in our success and has saved lives.
Bon Secours Richmond Health System Employees receiving their special Beacon of Hope recognition
Dr. Joe Niamtu, last year’s recipient presented the award to Peter Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Health System. Peter accepted the award on behalf of the employees of Bon Secours. Safe Harbor also recognized the following departments within the Bon Secours system that have generously supported Safe Harbor: Bon Secours School of Nursing, Bon Secours Faith Community Services, St. Mary’s Security Department, Bon Secours Family Center, Bon Secours Missions Department, St. Mary’s Employees, St. Mary’s Forensic Nurses, St. Mary’s Emergency Room Nurses, St. Mary’s Maintenance Department, St. Mary’s Telecommunications Department, & St. Mary’s Volunteers. Safe Harbor would like to thank the event co-chairs, Kacy Cosentini and April Niamtu for all their assistance in planning this evening. We also thank the volunteers and staff who were instrumental to the event’s success. More than 130 individuals attended and raised $40,000 for Safe Harbor through a silent auction and raffle. Steve Bassett and the Mystic Soul Bubbas then played into the night to celebrate the outstanding commitment Bon Secours has made to Safe Harbor since our inception.
Did you Know?
Safe Harbor provides free training to businesses, church groups, school and civic organizations regarding domestic violence. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, so education is critical to prevention. Please contact Chris Cain for more information about this program, chris@safeharborshelter.com or 804-249-9470, ext. 15.
June 2008
Dr. Joe Niamtu, past Beacon recipient presenting to Peter Bernard, CEO of Bon Secours Richmond Health System
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Stop the Violence. End The Silence.
Little Voices...
“Tara”, 3, and her mother, “Tracy”, 32, came to Safe Harbor to escape domestic violence. With no where to go, Tara and Tracy spent 3 days in a 24-hour grocery store. Upon their arrival to the shelter, they were both clearly apprehensive, but settled quickly. Tara was unsure of her new surroundings, but we soon became fast friends. Sitting on my lap and coloring, this bubbly child, full of laughter, seemed completely “normal.” Those first encounters with her left me thinking that it seemed absurd to imagine the trauma she had experienced. During play sessions we use toys, dress up clothes and art as tools to assist children in their process. This is important because children need another avenue to express their emotions, rather than just words (see pictures to the right from our counseling room). On my first play session with Tara, I was very excited. She was a fun girl with a big smile. We played and read books, nothing out of the ordinary. Tara was always trying to sit on my lap, as she loved the individual attention. She reminded me of many of the kids I have worked with while babysitting and in daycare. About halfway through our time together, I saw something change in her. It became very apparent that she witnessed violence in her home life. She used the toys in the room to act our her feeling. Tara found a fake plastic knife and began to talk about cutting. She cut on her throat and her wrist, and asked me if she could cut my throat. It was distressing that this seemingly “normal” 3-year-old had been exposed to such dark experiences. violence. Tara has since been enrolled in daycare and has been adjusting well, learning her ABC’s and how to adapt to a new structured environment. My internship experience with Safe Harbor has shown me the incredible resilience of children and their ability to cope. Tara’s true personality has been able to come out with the women in the shelter, and they refer to her as the “angel” of the house. Her laughter and spirit has brought warmth and hope to a place that needs it most. -Written by Lex Richards, VCU, BSW Junior Intern
How long would you grow a beard for a good cause?
The employees at the Sonoco Keating plant in Chester decided to put that to the test recently with a contest. The plants in Charlotte, NC and Chester, VA challenged each other to see who could collectively grow the longest beard in 60 days, As I continued to spend time with Tara, she became and sought pledges for their less apprehensive. Her play became more open and charity. The Chester plant chose Safe Harbor and not as violent. Although my first initial experience raised more than $2,000!!! with Tara were disturbing, it also was eye opening. This picture was taken the day before the beards were shaved, (left to Professionally, I learned so much from the guidright) Bryant Montgomery, Chris Ray, Edward Broadhurst, General ance of my field instructor, Kim, as well as all of the Proudfoot and Piotr Pietrzyk.
helpful staff at Safe Harbor. I feel very lucky to have been a part of Tara’s healing process. I made a positive impact by being a safe adult in her life. Tracy, her mother, found a job and is taking steps to ensure a positive future for her daughter. She also worked extensively with Kim on parenting issues specific to Tara’s experiences with domestic
Sonoco Keating provides flexible packaging graphics and tooling for consumer product customers throughout North America, including M&M Mars, Philip Morris USA and Kraft Foods in its customer portfolio. Edward Broadhurst, Director of Manufacturing for Keating North America, thanks all of the participants and sponsors, especially Mark Pincott and Kunal Rao from MARS Petcare. Safe Harbor gives a big thank you to Sonoco Keating for getting involved in their community.
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Beacon of hope acknowledgements...
Staff
Angela B. Business Manager Angela V. Deputy director
Event Sponsors
Champion Sponsor
Bon Secours Richmond Health System
CHRIS Community Educator & Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Night Manager Erica Shelter Operations Manager Hermas Hispanic Counselor Jessica Crisis Counselor Kim Children’s Services Director Kristina Client Services Director & Community Counselor Maggie Development Assistant Gary & Kacy Plotycia dance into the night Shannon Executive Director Shelter Advocates Andrea Carolyn Karen Rosie
Guardian Sponsor
Dr. Niamtu and wife April place their bids.
Dr. Joe Niamtu, III, D.M.D.
Staff member Kristina lends a hand with volunteer Russell.
Advocate
Comcast Dominion James River Interiors Gary & Kacy Plotycia SunTrust
Supporter
Main Street Benefits
Margaret Gutierrez-Leavelle
Wachovia
Patron
Virginia Business Bank
Steve Bassett and the Mystic Soul Bubbas
Auction and Raffle Sponsors
A Sharper Palate Adore Jewelry Amici Ristorante Andres’ Arhaus Furniture Atir Azzurro Bacchus Big Al's Sports Bar Bloomers Bolar Run Retreat BoSa Bag Co. Caché Carey Gwinn Chef Maura, Inc. Chez Max Delta Air Lines Dog Services Don Jose Dr. Baxter Perkinson Dr. Joe & April Niamtu Eddie Swink Elaine Kastendieck Eleanor Cox Fink’s Jewelry Fleming’s Floraculture Florist Flowers Make Scents George Drumwright Hayes & Fisk Heidi Story House of Carpet Independence Golf Club Joe's Inn JW Marriott Orlando Grande Kyzer Dog Training Kuba Kuba La Bella Dona La Grotta Laura Conklin Loveland Beverage Company Lucky Ginger Studio Malone & Company Jewelry Metro Grill Moe's Southwest Grill Mr. & Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Garland Hudson Nesbit Orlando World Center Resort Osaka Dr. Paul and Emily Kiritsis Pegasus Petite Pet Inn Pink
Positive Vibe Café Precision One Salon and Spa PW Photography Que Bella Red Salon Rees Jewelers Renaissance Orlando Resort Richmond Ballet Salon Del Sol Sensi Simply Nails Stephen &Sue Kennedy Sterling Boutique Strawberry Fields, Flowers & Gifts The Getty Group Travel Management Partners Tri Girl Training Weinstein JCC Yoga Source
Domestic Violence Facts...
•1
in 4 women will be a victim in their lifetime, more than will suffer from breast cancer.
•Homicide
was the second leading cause of death, for women on the job in 2003.
•In
Henrico County, five out of 15 homicides were domestic related in CY 2005.
Contact US...
P.O. Box 17996 Richmond, VA 23226 T: 804-249-9470 F: 804-249-9472
24-Hour Hotline: 804-287-7877
www.safeharborshelter.com
P.O Box 17996 Richmond, VA 23226
Board of Directors
President
Sheryl Robins Nolt Community Volunteer Wendy Hopp VA Department of Corrections GutierrezMargaret Gutierrez-Leavelle Westfield Insurance Heather Miller Community Volunteer Michael Pirron Impact Makers Elsie L. Rose, CPA Yount, Hyde & Barbour, PC Terry Sherman, CPA Sherman Financial Management Kimberly Skiba Hall & Hall Megan L. Walworth Bon Secours Richmond Health System
Vice President
Susan Thweatt Automatic Controls
Treasurer
Linda Borland VA Department of Education
Secretary
Michelle M. CollinsCollins-Robinson SunTrust Mortgage Amanda Tornabene Hunton & Williams Karen Buchanan Wachovia Bank Kacy Cosentini Community Volunteer Cathy Gooden Community volunteer Deb Downing Virginia Dept. of Criminal Justice Services George Drumwright County of Henrico Ken Dye Comcast Cable Jayne Flowers Virginia Department of Health