Thank you to all of our sponsors, our food and wine vendors and all of the generous community members who came out and purchased items at our silent and live auctions. You truly make a difference in the lives of families in El Dorado County.  

With the funds generated at the Gala, The Center is able to continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth in our county. We know that 60 - 80 % of boys who witness domestic violence grow-up to become batterers. That statistic is frightening enough, but when you combine it with the statistic that approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner the need for prevention education becomes that much clearer.

With the prevention education programs in our schools, The Center is at the forefront of trying to reverse these statistics. Beginning with our "NO! Go Tell" program in elementary schools, T.E.A.C.H. program in the middle schools and My Strength programs in the high schools, The Center is working with all age groups to teach alternatives to violence and provide education that is not always available in the schools.

While there are still schools on our waiting list, the funds generated from this year's Gala will go a long way toward keeping these much needed education programs running.

Once again, thank you to all who participated in this year's Season for Change Gala and made it such a success! 

The Grinch is nowhere to be seen... and The Center's Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program is already in full swing again this year. Last year The Center served 93 clients and 173 children who would have otherwise had a very unmerry holiday. Many of our clients, especially those that are in our shelter have no family or friends nearby and so the Adopt-a-Family program is that much more important.

"I took my son and we left our home with the clothes on our backs. I had no job, no family in the state, and we were in a shelter. Talk about the makings for a dismal holiday. The Center's Adopt-a-Family program came to the rescue and saved the holiday season for me and my son. He was blessed with toys and jammies and the donors were so great that I cried when I received gifts too. Thank you all so much for giving us a wonderful Christmas blessing." ~ A Grateful Client

Throughout our community businesses and families gather together and adopt families from The Center. Several of our big donors from last year were, Blue Shield of California, Freda Pechner, Attorney at Law and Silva Valley Elementary School in El Dorado Hills. We even had a wonderful family that made gifts for our clients and their children!!

The Holiday Adopt-a-Family program is designed to help those in need during this season of giving. So, if you want to join in the fun and you or your business would like to adopt a family or would like to donate gift cards to our program, please contact The Center at (530) 626-1450.

The Center is very pleased to welcome a new member to our staff! Cathy Bourland came on board recently as our Community Education Coordinator and we are so excited to have such an energetic and positive addition to our team.

Cathy recently moved back to California after spending two years in Detroit Michigan caring for an elderly relative. She is originally from the Mokelumne Hill area so she is excited to be back and closer to her family. Spending time with her 2 children and 2 grand children is one of the great joys of her life, and she also likes to garden, cook and frequent farmer's markets. Her best pal for the past four years is a rescue dog who is a Labrador mix and has traveled with Cathy across the country twice! Apparently the pup is set to write about their travels in her memoirs.

We sat down with Cathy recently to see why she chose The Center...

Center: What interest you most about The Center?

Cathy: I found out about The Center while looking for a job on Craig's List. Interested in the opportunity I researched the history, services and vision. I was impressed with how far The Center had come since the early days and the things they were doing now. But what REALLY interested me was working for Matt. Listening to him talk about the staff, the services and his vision for the future inspired me to be a part of The Center. Having worked for the same non-profit for 28+ years I know how hard it is to transition, redefine and grow. I have been there - several times! After several weeks on the job I am so impressed with the knowledgeable, committed and passionate staff who work tirelessly for the noble cause. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this team.

Center: Why does this cause matter to you?

Cathy: In the early 1980's while working for the Human Resource Council (HRC), a local domestic violence/domestic violence program was looking for a home with a non-profit and came under our service umbrella. I was working in the child care division but I became interested in domestic violence because the clients often came with stories of domestic violence and sexual assault. I knew I needed some resources so I participated in the volunteer training through Sonora Women's Center and spent several years on the crisis line in Calaveras County. When I had my 2nd child in 1985 I could no longer volunteer my time with a full time job and two small children. However, the day before I gave birth to my daughter I was in court as an advocate with a 13-year old who had been sexually assaulted by a family friend. I am passionate about issues that affect families and this position fits perfectly into my journey.

Center: How does your philanthropy reflect your values?

Cathy: I believe in movements that make positive changes in the lives of people in our communities and will spend capital (time and/or money) to advance those causes.

Center: Share a time that you felt really connected with the mission of The Center.

Cathy: In 2007 I was appointed by the board of directors to be the Interim Executive Director of the organization I worked for over 25 years. The staff of the domestic violence sexual assault program invited me to participate in a meeting with a member of the Board of Supervisors concerning a recent decision he made about a domestic violence case in his district. Several survivors and staff members were also present. The group presented domestic violence/sexual assault facts and many shared their own personal experiences to educate this person who was in a position of power and making what we thought were negative decisions. At the end of the meeting the board member struggled and opened up about his own personal challenges growing up in a violent family and was able to see the impact of his decision and make positive changes. I witnessed how empowered staff and survivors were to make profound changes in their community.

Center: If you could change the world, what would you do?

Cathy: I believe we change the world every day by who we are, how we live and what we give. Working for the center allows me to grow and learn as a person and work for positive change in our communities. I look forward to the successes and the challenges this opportunity brings.

Center: Who have been the leaders and mentors in your life's journey? Why and how have they affected you?

Cathy: People who have influenced me most have coached and mentored me into existence. They listen to me and remind me to listen to myself. They give me unconditional love and support and allow me to do the same.

Children have also been a great influence on me by their sheer existence that life is a wonder to never take for granted, how the smallest accomplishment is cause for celebration. I celebrate my own inner child and those around me.

Center: If you had a personal mission statement, what would it be?

Cathy: Who I am is truth, courage and integrity driving a world of happiness and fulfillment.

Cathy has so many great assets that she brings to our team, and we are looking forward to many great new adventures with her! If you'd like to contact Cathy and welcome her, or have a question about our prevention education programs please call her at (530) 295-4204 or email her at CathyB@thecenternow.org.  

The Center offers two confidential domestic violence groups for our clients. Groups are held Tuesday evenings 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 10-12. After initially being seen by a counselor, women can attend on a regular or drop in basis. The typical agenda for each group includes "Pouring in, pouring out and pouring forth."

During the group the moderator will select a topic for the day. Topics or what we call "Pouring in" cover boundaries, relaxation, Cycle of Abuse, Respect Me Rules (book), goal setting, strengths, self-care, and safety issues.

Interaction, participation, sharing and support during the group session are what we call "Pouring Out."   Each week women come together to share their stories and realize that they are not alone. It was a special moment one Wednesday as the word FRIENDS was written on a white board and the women were asked to think of a word for each letter that they felt was "bright spot" from their time together that morning. The result of that exercise:

F = fun, freedom, fellowship, forgiving

R = recreation, rejoice, responsibility, respect, recovery

I = independence, insight, imagination, interactive

E = enjoy, entertainment, enlighten, experiences, encouragement, edification

N = normal, nice, needs, necessary

D = devoted, discreet, discerning

S = support strengths, satisfaction, and safe

Finally, when a client who is further along on their journey escaping domestic violence attends the group they give back to the group and come along side others to share what they have learned and experienced. We call this "Pouring Forth." They become a support and an ally for the other women.  After attending a group session, one client stated, "Sometimes when things are seeming so out of control, it is wonderful to come (to group) and be with those who themselves are going through some of the same things, we can encourage each other, learn, and just feel normal."

If you or someone you know would like information about the domestic violence groups, please call The Center at (530) 626-1450 or call our 24/7 support line at (530) 626-1131 or (916) 9393-6616.  

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Center's Board of Directors

Joedda Wick

President

Client Services Manager  

DST Output

Barbara Bossung, RN

Vice President

Community Activist

Elizabeth Zacharias

Secretary

VP Human Resources

Aerojet

Francie Heim

Treasurer

Retired Deputy Superintendent

El Dorado Office of Education

Althea Hurley 

Community Activist 

Jan Coffrini

Community Activist  

Robert Geyer

Senior VP Customer Operations

Blue Shield of California

Doug Hoisington

IT Consultant 

John Moalli, Sc.D.

Executive/Engineering Consultant

Exponent, Inc.

Lecturer - Chemical Engineering

Stanford University

Jessica Schmitz 

Senior Account Manager

Catalyst Marketing Company

THE CENTER'S CALENDAR

The Center's Holiday Program is gearing up. If you'd like to adopt a family please contact Martha Borders at MarthaB@thecenternow.org  

or (530) 295-4205   

Peace in the Home

(4 week series)

Nov. 28-Dec. 19

6-8 pm

January

Intro to Nonviolent Communication

Wed. Jan. 18, 6-7:30 pm

Nonviolent Communication Foundations

( 8 week series)

Mon, Jan. 23-Mar 19

6-8 pm

For more information on these classes, please contact

Eddie Zacapa at

(530) 295-4210 or EddieZ@thecenternow.org  

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,  

 Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown

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