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| Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! |
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 Chocolate was a sweet success!
Thank you to all who helped to make this year's Chocolate Lovers' Fantasy a sweet success. With the help of all of our sponsors, donors, and dedicated volunteers, Chocolate raised over $80,000 for A Woman's Place (AWP). To read more about event and to see more photographs, click here. |
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Volunteer Nights
AWP is currently hosting two nights a month specifically for those members of the community who want to become more involved! On the first Monday of every month Volunteer Night is held at the administrative office from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. This is a great way for current volunteers and potential volunteers to meet staff and other volunteers, learn a little about AWP, participate in a group project, and find out about other volunteering opportunities in the future. Dinner will be served. If you would like to attend Volunteer Night please email Director of Education & Training, Mary Sonke. On the third Monday of every month a Direct Service volunteer meeting is held at the administrative office from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. This is a perfect opportunity to get the newest information about the Direct Service program, and become reacquainted with the program if you are a volunteer who has taken some time off. If you are interested in attending the Direct Service volunteer meetings please email Director of Counseling, Sarah James. For more information on ways to take action, click here. |
| Volunteer Spotlight! |
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 Kristin Ortlieb-Potts
Why did you choose to volunteer with A Woman's Place (AWP)? My mother raised me to believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. She instilled in my sister and me a sense of confidence and self-worth. She always stressed that no one has the right to make me feel that I am not worthy. I may sometimes make bad decisions, but I am still a good person and deserve to be treated with respect. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have had those lessons engrained in their heads at a very young age. I like being involved with an organization that helps re-build women's self-esteem and instill a sense of self-worth. In that way, I feel the things my mother taught me will continue to live on in generations after mine.
What do you do at AWP? I sit on the Board of Directors and serve on the Development Committee and IT Task Force. I also recently co-chaired the 14th annual Chocolate Lovers' Fantasy.
What is your favorite memory from your time at AWP? The AWP Holiday Parties - In my volunteer role on the Board of Directors, I help make decisions to run the operational side of AWP. At times it becomes very business-oriented and you can lose sight of the "people" aspect. The holiday parties help remind me why I chose to volunteer for this organization. I love having the opportunity to talk with the women and children we help. This year I helped the children pick out and wrap presents for their moms. I'll never forget the little girl that picked up her freshly wrapped present, hugged it to her chest and said, "I'm so happy I have a present to give my mom for Christmas!" THAT is what it's all about.
What was your worst moment at AWP? In my initial training, I realized 1) how ignorant I was on the subject of domestic violence - I was one of those people that said "Why don't they just leave?" and 2) I began to realize the true horrors many of these women endure.
If you could have one wish for AWP, what would it be? That it no longer needed to exist.
Any advice for new volunteers? Roll up your sleeves and get involved! Dive in there! You'll meet a lot of great people and have fun along the way.
If you are interested in becoming an AWP volunteer, click here! |
| First Response Program |
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The First Response Program offers support to victims of domestic violence at the time of an incident. First Response advocates are available to assist victims 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteers provide assistance weeknights and weekends and are asked to make a commitment of a minimum of 3-4 days a month.
In addition, the First Response Program has advocates that accompany victims to criminal court. This may be at a preliminary hearing at a district court or for a trial in the main courthouse in Doylestown. Volunteers may provide regular court accompaniment once a week or on an as needed basis.
If you have completed your direct service training and are interested in volunteering as a First Response Advocate in either capacity, please contact Lisamarie Grillo, First Response Advocate at 215-348-7354 or by email for more information.
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| Calling All Volunteers! |
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Volunteer Opportunities
Materials Distribution - this is an ongoing need - we need assistance in getting our materials out in the community. We would like volunteers who are able to take our posters, brochures, cards etc. where they work, attend church, doctor's offices, hospitals etc. This is a very important part of our work. Our goal is to "Paper the County" in AWP materials.
Follow up to Faith Communities - just about a month ago, we sent a large mailing to faith communities and would like to follow up with personal phone calls...but, we need help!
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Mary Sonke at 215.343.9241 x112 or by email.
For more volunteer opportunities click here. | |
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The Grapevine 