The Advocates' Voice
May/June 2012
Systems Advocacy: A Key Strategy for Social Change
NNEDV Advocacy Day

One of DCADV's core competencies is systems advocacy. A significant component of domestic violence systems advocacy involves reviewing, monitoring, and sometimes changing those societal systems that are vital to the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims and their children.

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In This Issue
Take a Look: Our New E-Newsletter and Website
16th Annual Advocates' Retreat
NNEDV Advocacy Day
Avon Gift Bags a Treat at the Retreat
DCADV Recognized at Delcastle High School Film Festival
Cell Phone Drives Benefit DCADV
Advocates Recognized During Crime Victims' Rights Week
New CD "I CAN!" Empowers Victims and Raises Funds for DCADV
Kirk Middle School D.R.E.A.M.-Girls Raise Awareness and Funds
Policy Coordinator Job Opening
Upcoming Meetings & Trainings
Save the Date! Purple Ribbon Event
Take A Look: Our New E-Newsletter and Website
DCADV Website home pageYou've probably noticed the new look and content of this newsletter, and if you've visited our website recently at www.dcadv.org, you've noticed that it has also been revitalized. We are happy to announce the launch of our completely redesigned website, with even easier-to-find information on domestic violence resources; DCADV's programs, special initiatives, and events; and ways to get involved. We want both our website and newsletter to be valuable resources for you, so we hope you'll take a look and let us know what you think!  

 

16th Annual Advocates' Retreat
Recognition of DV SpecialistsThe Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence held its 2012 Annual Advocates' Retreat on May 14 and 15 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This year the theme was Getting to the Heart of What Matters: Critical Reflections on Advocacy, Bullying, and Survivors' Needs as we focused on topics that not only empowered the victims and survivors we work with, but also ourselves. A variety of topics were covered, including justice systems responses to domestic violence, systems advocacy, policy, bullying and sexual harassment, and cultural competency.

We were joined by over 120 DV advocates from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Our keynote addresses were given by Jill Davies, Esq., of Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc. and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and Nan Stein, Ed.D., of the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women. We were also joined by Anne Menard of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Dr. Mo Therese Hannah of the Battered Mothers Custody Conference, Jennifer Clement of the Delaware Center for Youth Development at Children's Beach House, and Melissa Ferguson and Aimee String of the Domestic Violence Task Force of Delaware, among many other excellent presenters.

Many thanks go out to the support of the DCADV staff, our community partners, our supporters, and most of all the many DV advocates that joined us this year.

View photos from the Retreat.

 

NNEDV's Annual Advocacy Day
NNEDV Advocacy Day Domestic violence advocates representing domestic violence coalitions and direct service programs from throughout the country convened in Washington, D.C. on June 5 and 6 for the National Network to End Domestic Violence's (NNEDV) Annual Advocacy Day. Advocates attended a Public Policy Forum and a Congressional Breakfast, had networking opportunities, and visited members of Congress. Read more.

 

Avon Gift Bags a Treat at the Retreat
Avon table at Avocates' Retreat Once again, Avon donated gift bags filled with body lotion, hand cream, and perfume to everyone who attended this year's Advocates' Retreat. Representatives Dee Johnson and Jennifer Balkum spent both days of the Retreat with us, and had Avon's line of Empowerment fundraising products available, the proceeds of which directly support organizations like DCADV.

The Delaware Avon office also generously donated a gift basket filled with Avon products that was raffled off with other door prizes. DCADV and Retreat guests greatly appreciated Avon's continued support of this event. Guests at this year's Purple Ribbon Event will have another opportunity to win an Avon gift basket in our "Pick a Prize" Raffle!

 

DCADV Recognized at Delcastle High School Film Festival
DM/AM/PM Film Festival logo On April 21, No�l Duckworth, Director of Training and Prevention, accepted a $275 donation on behalf of DCADV as part of Delcastle Technical High School's 2012 Digital Media Film Festival.

Twelve teams made up of 56 students in the Digital Media Career program had 24 hours to film and edit a three-minute movie on a topic related to community issues such as homelessness, drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness, and acceptance. Each team "adopted" a community or nonprofit organization, and money raised from this event went to the organization chosen by the team with the winning movie. Congratulations to team Illuminati Juicebox, whose film "Every 9 Seconds" won best overall video and several other awards at the festival plus a generous donation for DCADV!

 

Cell Phone Drives Benefit DCADV
UD cell phone drive participantsUniversity of Delaware students taking the Domestic Violence Services class held another successful cell phone drive this spring, collecting 723 phones (a new record for the class!) on campus and in the community. Performance Consultants Group, Inc., a technology consulting firm based in Newark, DE, held a cell phone drive at the Delaware Technology Park, collecting 50 phones.

PCG logoProceeds from these collection efforts will support various advocacy and educational efforts offered by DCADV throughout Delaware. Read more about how your group, organization, or business can hold a cell phone drive to benefit DCADV.

 

Advocates Recognized During Crime Victims' Rights Week
Victims' Rights Week press conference Delaware's Attorney General Beau Biden, Governor Jack Markell, and Senator Patricia Blevins helped mark the beginning of National Crime Victims' Rights Week at a press conference on April 18. There, Mariann Kenville-Moore, director of the Attorney General's Victim & Witness Services Unit, and Evelyn Smith, a lead social worker in the Unit's New Castle County office, received the Delaware Victims' Rights Task Force's 2012 Outstanding Professional Award in recognition of their service and commitment to victims of crime. Leann Bullock of Victims Voices Heard and SHADE received the Outstanding Volunteer Award, and DCADV's Executive Director Carol Post was presented with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council's 2012 Outstanding Community Service Award.

Read more and view photos of the event.

Read more about other events held during Crime Victims' Rights Week.

 

New CD "I CAN!" Empowers Victims and Raises Funds for DCADV
Matred Conaway, a member of DCADV's WEAVER and Women of Color Task Forces, performed her new single "I CAN!" at our recent Advocates' Retreat (see photos from the Retreat). Guests enjoyed her beautiful voice and words of inspiration. Matred says the song is inspired by her own personal experience of "triumph and victory over domestic violence."

Matred's CD is now available for purchase for $7.00, with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to DCADV. To order, email Matred with "CD ORDER" written in the subject line.

 

Kirk Middle School D.R.E.A.M.-Girls Raise Awareness and Funds
The 21 members of Kirk Middle School's D.R.E.A.M.-Girls (Dedicated, Resilient, Energized, Amazing, Motivated-Girls), a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders led by Counseling Intern Nadia Williams, held a week-long event in March to raise awareness of domestic violence. At a table in the school's cafeteria, the group displayed posters and DCADV's Silent Witnesses, distributed resources, and sold purple ribbons. Following the event, Kirk Middle School donated $87 raised by the D.R.E.A.M.-Girls to DCADV.

 

Policy Coordinator Job Opening
DCADV is now accepting resumes for a Policy Coordinator position. Read more about the position and application guidelines.

 

Upcoming Meetings & Trainings 

Save the Date! Purple Ribbon Event
Purple Ribbon Event logo This year's Purple Ribbon Event will be held on Thursday, October 25, at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts in Wilmington. The keynote speaker will be survivor, author, and national speaker Lavon Morris-Grant, who will be signing her books Whom Shall I Fear: A Spiritual Journey of a Battered Woman and Who Will Speak for the Children: Healing through the Trauma. The event will also feature an awards presentation and a "Pick a Prize" raffle.