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| A Special Message from the Executive Director |
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 In just one day...
2 women miscarried as a result of domestic violence, 3 women were murdered by their intimate partners, 7 children were killed in domestic violence homicides, and 7 babies were born to mothers living in shelters.*
On September 15, 2009, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) conducted its National Census of Domestic Violence Services for the fourth year in a row. This one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic abuse and violence services nationwide, offers a glimpse of what services domestic violence organizations throughout the country are able to provide and where more resources are needed.
In just one day, the 61 domestic violence organizations throughout the state of Pennsylvania provided services for 2,597 victims. A Woman's Place (AWP), alone, provided services to 79 victims. Although able to provide services for so many people on a single day, there were not enough resources to serve everybody. AWP had to turn away 4 women and 7 children on September 15th due to our shelter being full. Statewide, 365 requests were unmet as a cause of critical shortages of funds and staff to assist the needs of victims.
365 unmet requests in one day translate into more than 133,000 unmet requests in a year. Although there is great work being done there is still more of a demand. At AWP, our goal is bold - to raise $65,000 by June 30, 2010 through our "A Difference In A Day" Campaign. This can only happen with the help of you, our supporter. With a one-time gift of $50 or more from you and each one of our donors, we can meet that goal! It is a simple as clicking here. Every gift makes a difference.
You can track the difference that each donor is making by checking our Web site. We will be updating it weekly to show the progress we are making towards our goal of $65,000!
In just one day....
AWP was able to provide 26.5 hours of counseling, answer 50 hotline calls, and train 169 community members.
What kind of difference can you make... in just one day?
With deepest appreciation,
Donna J. Byrne
Executive Director
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| AWP Wants to Hear From You! |
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 Your Opinions Matter!
A Woman's Place (AWP) wants to know who your are, why you give, and how we can be a better organization for the community!
After all, it is because of you, the donor, that we are here and are able to do what we do.
Click here and take a few minutes to fill out this quick donor survey. Not only does it ensure that your information is up-to-date, it gives us a window into what interests you about the organization so that you look forward to reading our printed materials and newsletters!
Thank you in advance! |
| AWP Takes Over Klinger Middle School! |
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On March 24th & 25th all three of AWP's community educators and adedicated volunteer, Liesbeth Bisschops, facilitated a two-day educational outreach program at Klinger Middle School in the Centennial School District for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The collaborative program was arranged by Grade 8 science teacher, Mike Dooley.
Students in the 6th grade participated in a lesson entitled Types of False Friends. This lesson aimed to build students awareness of the five types of false friends they may encounter and to help students understand the difference between a true and a false friend. The students discussed these five types of false friends and shared experiences they have had in friendships addressing three main questions, "How did it feel to be treated this way", "Why would someone act this way", and "How would a true friend act in these situations". The students also were presented with information on how to assess a friendship to ensure it is healthy and happy.
Given that so many young teens are a part of today's technologically advanced world, the 7th graders learned about the importance of being safe in cyber-space through a program called Digital Dangers: Texting, Sexting, and Cyberbullying. This program focused on the various ways that technology - cells phone, the Internet, and other digital devices - can be misused to make others feel bad about themselves. The students discussed the ins-and-outs of "sexting", what it means to be a cyberbully, what cyber abuse might look like, and how to protect themselves and others from digital harassment.
Designed as a teenage relationship awareness program, the grade 8 program, Promoting Healthy Relationships, addressed the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The program, framed around the essential question, "How might knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships help you to make good decisions for yourself?", required the students to assess a current relationship, consider both their rights and responsibilities in a relationship, and to identify the behaviors they desire in a healthy relationship.
Part of AWP's current 3-year strategic plan is to expand the education and outreach program. This was decided upon after a recommendation from the Bucks County Fatality Review Commission, as printed in their report following the deaths of 12 Bucks County residents in a six month span in 2005. If you are interested in having a member of AWP's Education and Training Department come and speak to a group of people, please contact Sarah Scott at 215.343.9241 x114 or by email. All of our trainings can be tailored to best fit the audience.
On March 24th & 25th all three of AWP's community educators and adedicated volunteer, Liesbeth Bisschops, facilitated a two-day educational outreach program at Klinger Middle School in the Centennial School District for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The collaborative program was arranged by Grade 8 science teacher, Mike Dooley.
Students in the 6th grade participated in a lesson entitled Types of False Friends. This lesson aimed to build students awareness of the five types of false friends they may encounter and to help students understand the difference between a true and a false friend. The students discussed these five types of false friends and shared experiences they have had in friendships addressing three main questions, "How did it feel to be treated this way", "Why would someone act this way", and "How would a true friend act in these situations". The students also were presented with information on how to assess a friendship to ensure it is healthy and happy.
Given that so many young teens are a part of today's technologically advanced world, the 7th graders learned about the importance of being safe in cyber-space through a program called Digital Dangers: Texting, Sexting, and Cyberbullying. This program focused on the various ways that technology - cells phone, the Internet, and other digital devices - can be misused to make others feel bad about themselves. The students discussed the ins-and-outs of "sexting", what it means to be a cyberbully, what cyber abuse might look like, and how to protect themselves and others from digital harassment.
Designed as a teenage relationship awareness program, the grade 8 program, Promoting Healthy Relationships, addressed the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The program, framed around the essential question, "How might knowing the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships help you to make good decisions for yourself?", required the students to assess a current relationship, consider both their rights and responsibilities in a relationship, and to identify the behaviors they desire in a healthy relationship.
Part of AWP's current 3-year strategic plan is to expand the education and outreach program. This was decided upon after a recommendation from the Bucks County Fatality Review Commission, as printed in their report following the deaths of 12 Bucks County residents in a six month span in 2005. If you are interested in having a member of AWP's Education and Training Department come and speak to a group of people, please contact Sarah Scott at 215.343.9241 x114 or by email. All of our trainings can be tailored to best fit the audience. |
| Get Involved |
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A Woman's Place will offer the following trainings in April 2010:
Teen Training
This introductory six hour training is open for all teen volunteers ages 14-17. Once finished with the training teens have a variety of different options for volunteering which include working with children in the shelter, helping around the administrative office, volunteering at Full Circle Thrift or assisting with education and training or special events. Click here for Teen training dates in April. CORE TrainingThis introductory training for all volunteers (ages 18+) focuses on A Woman's Place projects and programs and domestic violence issues, with a special focus on Bucks County and preparing participants to successfully communicate about AWP and domestic violence in their lives and the community. All volunteers must complete this six hour training. Click here for CORE training dates in April.
Direct Service Training
This training emphasizes in-depth discussion of domestic abuse and violence issues as well as skill building to prepare volunteers to take active roles in the organization and work directly victims of domestic abuse and violence and thier children. This 42 hour training in addition to six hours of practicum must be completed before a volunteer can do any work directly with clients. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have completed the CORE Training to participate in Direct Service Training. Click here for Direct Service training dates in April.
First Response Training
First Response Training will be held April 28 th from 6-9 and Saturday, May 1st from 9:30 until 4:00. All interested people must have completed their 45 hours of direct service training. If you are interested, or have any questions please contact Lisa T. at 215-343-1236 or by email. |
| Calling All Members! |
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 Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the general membership of A Woman's Place (AWP) will be held on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 at BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Warrington. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The annual meeting is an important opportunity for AWP membership to learn the latest developments of the organization. New Board members are confirmed, changes to the organization's By-Laws are voted on, and both an Employee of the Year and Volunteer of the Year will be recognized. Voting membership is open to any person, regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, upon payment of the annual dues and completion of the 45 hour direct service volunteer training, the six hour indirect service volunteer training, or the six hour designated Board of Director training.
All materials for the Annual Meeting, as outlined in AWP's By-Laws, will be available for download on our Web site by April 12, 2010.
Please RSVP by Monday, May 3, 2010 to Karen Schoeller at 215.343.9241 x101 or by email.
Annual membership dues, in the amount of $10, will be collected on or before the annual meeting. |
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Save The Date!!! |
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Volunteer Appreciation Night  Where: Full Circle Thrift
For more information click here.
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