Dear ,
A big heartfelt thank you to all of The Center's amazing volunteers for your incredible generosity, dedication and support you provide to all of us here at The Center! It was such a pleasure to gather together at the volunteer appreciation dinner and honor and celebrate your accomplishments. During the dinner one of our Board members commented how impressed she was with the sheer number of hours and scope of work our volunteers provide to The Center. We are indeed truly blessed to have each of you on board! I would like to offer a special welcome to the new class of volunteers that just began their training. We are all looking forward to you joining our team!
Recently while attending the California Department of Public Health's Rape Prevention Education Advisory Group committee meeting I was pleasantly surprised to learn that across the state 63 organizations, including The Center, provided 10,443 sexual assault prevention education presentations to 191,235 professionals, students and community members. Although the number of presentations and people reached is impressive the funding side isn't. The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) receives an embarrassing $45,000 in funding from the state which amounts to $1.50 per individual who has been sexually assaulted.
It is vital we continue our prevention education programs in light of the statistics contained in an email I recently received. According to a summary of the 2008-2010 Healthy Kids survey of middle school (7th grade) and high school (9th and 11th grades) students, one out of 16 7th graders report having been sexually assaulted and 1 out of 10 9th and 11th graders report having been sexually assaulted. This is astounding and alarming and clearly indicates that in spite of our efforts, there is still a great need for more prevention education programs like those The Center currently provides. Your opportunity to support our prevention education efforts is coming on April 7th. Please plan now to join us for The Center's 10th annual Community March to End Sexual Assault. Be sure to read the article in this edition of The Center Now and visit our website to learn more about the many ways you can make a difference.
As you will read in the article, Matt Williams, LCSW has joined our staff as The Center's Client Services Coordinator. He is fantastic and a much needed addition to our team. Congratulations Matt and welcome!
Once again, thank you all for being such amazing community partners!
Until next month...
Peace~
Matt Matt Huckabay Executive Director
P.S.
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It's Time... to Talk about it!
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It's time... recently a local high school teacher was arrested and charged with sex with a minor. We like to think that things like this only happen "somewhere else," but the reality is much different. Child sexual assault is one of the most reported crimes in our county. It's time for us to come together as a community and pledge that sexual violence will not be tolerated where we live. It's time to talk about sexual violence and the positive impact prevention education programs are having in schools across our community.
The Center's My Strength program is one program that does just that. Just listen to what one high school student had to say after participating in the program.
"I learned that when I sometimes joke about women it is hurtful and I have avoided all sexist jokes since. I know how to treat women right and have learned to stay away from harmful relationships. My strength as a man is not for hurting and I have taken a vow to never hurt a woman as long as I live."
Prevention education is the key to ending sexual violence. The Center's My Strength program reaches out to high school boys and is designed to empower them to take a stand against sexual assault, gender discrimination and violence. Similarly, Her Strength is aimed at helping young girls define femininity, respect, and healthy relationships while supporting one another as they put the concepts into practice. Last year, The Center's education programs reached 673 high school students, 580 middle school students, and 493 community college students.
"IT'S TIME...TO TALK ABOUT IT."
Connect. Respect. Prevent Sexual Violence.
We are asking for your support!
Join us for the 10th Annual
Community March to End Sexual Assault
Saturday, April 7, 2012
at Placerville's Town Hall.
Your support is imperative to ending sexual violence! There are several ways that you can participate in the March. You can sponsor the event. You can put a team together of families, friends, church groups, clubs, schools and businesses! Or simply come and walk with us to show your support. Please see the enclosed pledge form to support The Center's work to end sexual violence.
Registration begins at 8:30 and the Placerville Rotary will provide a free pancake breakfast for all participants!
Sexual violence is happening in our community, and it's time ...to talk about it. Please join us on Saturday, April 7, 2012. We are looking forward to bringing our community together to make a difference.
If you're interested in sponsoring The March click here.
If you would like to get a team together click here for a pledge form!
If you would like more information on the 10th Annual Community March to End Sexual Assault, please contact Julie Sena at (530) 626-1450 or
JulieS@Thecenternow.org.
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The Center Welcomes Matt Williams
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We are very pleased to introduce you all to our newest staff member, Matthew Williams. Matt specializes in mental health and comes to us from the Stanford Home for Children in Sacramento. Matt is a licensed clinical social worker who received his under graduate degree in Social Work from Colorado State and his Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan (go Big Blue!)
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We let Matt get settled in, and then we shot some tough questions at him... (okay, they're not really that tough!)
Center: What interests you most about The Center?
Matt: The innovation The Center is taking in how services are being provided to address domestic violence and sexual assault issues in society.
Center: Why does this cause matter to you?
Matt: I contribute to society through my attention to mental health. I look at domestic violence and sexual assault through the lens of how survivors' mental health is impacted by these traumatic experiences. I think that as human beings our capability of the highest social organization on the planet make our relationships with each so important. It is in those relationships that I find joy in my work.
Center: How does your philanthropy reflect your values?
Matt: I chose the social work profession because I want the work I do to matter in the lives of real people.
Center: Tell me about a time you felt really connected with the mission of our organization.
Matt: While leading workshops on working collaboratively with CPS on behalf of our clients, I felt sincerely that our mission encompasses the whole family unit.
Center: When was the first time you heard about The Center? With whom were you speaking? What was happening?
Matt: I was interviewing for the Client Services Coordinator position. There was a turning point where I was speaking with Matt and the panel and I realized that I really wanted to be a part of the change and growth happening here.
Center: If you could change the world, what would you do?
Matt: Give everyone enough compassion to see the secret histories of their enemies.
Center: What would you pass on to future generations?
Matt: Compassion.
Center: Who have been the leaders and mentors in your life's journey? Why and how have they affected you?
Matt: My clients have been my greatest impact on my professional career. Lynn Burns, LCSW has been a wonderful Clinical Supervisor for me. Ervin Yolum is an author and psychotherapist who I admire very much. He places importance on the humanity of our clients and the therapeutic relationship we develop with them.
Center: If you had a personal mission statement, what would it be?
Matt: My mission is to empower individuals and families to flourish in their environments.
Welcome Matt!
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Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault
24/7 Crisis Help Line
530-626-1131
916-939-6616
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Our Volunteers Rock!
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February was a very active month for volunteers. Our generous Board sponsored a volunteer appreciation dinner which was well attended. We wanted to honor our 35 deeply appreciated volunteers... their hard work and dedication are what keeps thing running smoothly at The Center!
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from left to right Jane, Matt, Jana, Cynthia, Laurie & Martha
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Following tradition, staff voted and awarded five dedicated volunteers for their demonstrated excellence over and above the call of duty. We honored them with a lovely engraved crystal logo glass circular award in three different categories:
Laurie and Cynthia were given the "Giving Heart" award for going that extra mile in making our clients feel comfortable and cared for.
Jana Pingle and Jane were awarded the "Above and Beyond" award. Not only was their time spent in hours out of sight (last year Jana donated 580 hours and Jane donated 517 hours), their dedication to their tasks was other worldly! We couldn't have accomplished all we have throughout the year without their support.
Last but not least, we honored Faith with the "Ken Stefan Service Award" for her patience and understanding of our children at the high school level.
We're half way through the Winter 12 volunteer training and our 12 highly motivated participants are eager to graduate and begin their volunteer service at The Center.
We are looking forward to our Sexual Assault Awareness Month event on April 7 and volunteers are recruited to help make the morning fun and educational.
Interested in signing up for our Summer 12 training session? ... Please contact our volunteer Coordinator, Martha at (530) 295-4205 or Marthab@thecenternow.org.
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Got Kids?
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Ever wanted to build connection and respect with your kids? Or understand the needs behind your child's behavior? Want magical solutions to handling tantrums, disagreements and problem behavior? What about being able to motivate your kids to willingly contribute around the house? Well look no further! The Center is here to help...
The Center will be offering "Parenting from Your Heart" an 8 week series featuring Positive Solutions Program Director, Eddie Zacapa, beginning Monday, April 2, 2012 and running every Monday through May 28, 2012.
The workshops will focus primarily on teaching parents Nonviolent Communication (NVC), founded by Marshall Rosenberg. NVC has been used around the world to mediate conflicts, nurture relationships, and promote peace. NVC is also known as giraffe language because the giraffe has the largest heart of all land mammals. It is considered the language of the heart.
Learn to parent without yelling, spanking or relying on the threat of punishments or promises of rewards. Empower your kids to open up, cooperate, and realize their full potential. With NVC all these things are possible.
The workshops are held at The Center. To sign up for the Parenting from Your Heart workshop, or for more information contact Eddie Zacapa at 530-626-1450 or 916-939-4464 or EddieZ@thecenternow.org.
Cost: Sliding scale $15-35 per session or $120-$280 for the entire workshop. Scholarships and assistance is available for those who qualify. No one will be turned away for the inability to pay.
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The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is dedicated to building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual assault and domestic violence through education, advocacy, and services in western El Dorado County.
The Center is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible and vital to continue our services.
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IT happens in our community...
IT affects men & women alike...
IT happens every 2 minutes.
44% of IT happens to children...
The ripple effects of IT continue for years...
But how can we stop IT... if we won't even talk about IT?
Sexual Assault...talk about IT.
Donate now and help us
End IT. 
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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A Big Shout Out to our Sponsors for the 10th Annual Community March to End Sexual Assault!   of Placerville & Shingle Springs |
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
 
 
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The Center's Board of Directors
Joedda Wick
President
Client Services Manager
DST Output
Barbara Bossung, RN
Vice President
Community Activist
Jan Coffrini
Secretary
Community Activist
Francie Heim Treasurer Retired Deputy Superintendent El Dorado Office of Education Althea Hurley 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 Elizabeth Zacharias VP Human Resources Aerojet |
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault
24/7 Crisis Help Line
530-626-1131
916-939-6616
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| Support The Center | |
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CENTER'S SUPPORT GROUPS
Domestic Violence Support and Education Groups:
Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 pm
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
CAP - Women's Changing Abusive Patterns
Peace First - Men's and Women's Workshops on Improving Relationships
MAAP - Men's Alternatives to Abusive Patterns
(English and Spanish)
For more information on these groups call
(530) 626-1450 or
(916) 949-4464
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The Center was voted one of the top 2 Favorite Charities and one of the Best Places to Volunteer in El Dorado County by Style Magazine!!
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THE CENTER'S CALENDAR
March
Nonviolent Communication Foundations
(8 week series)
Mon, Jan. 23-Mar. 19
6-8 pm
Hampton Gets New Glasses
Puppet Show
Monday, March 26, 2012
6:00 & 7:00 pm
April
Parenting from Your Heart
(8 week series)
April 2 - May 21
Mondays 6:00
For more information
please contact
Eddie Zacapa at
(530) 295-4210 or EddieZ@thecenternow.org
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I Am Only Me
I am only me, that is all that I can be
No more, no less, don't second guess
I love, I laugh, I live and cry,
I've wished at times, that I could die
Some days I'm funny, others I'm not,
sometimes I'm in overdrive and can't stop
I am a loyal and honest friend,
You know that I'll be there until the end
I am a father/mother, my children my greatest gift,
The smiles on their faces always give me a lift
I am a romantic, sensual, and passionate too,
to the love of my life, I'll share this with you
I can be sweet and shy or sassy and bold,
I'm quite a handful, or so I've been told
I am not perfect, I do have my faults,
like when I get scared I put up high walls
Or I'm not as forgiving, as I'd sometimes like to be,
because when I hurt, I hurt deeply
My logic is all my own, at times misunderstood,
because I don't always do things for my own good
I have many facets, like a diamond you see...
I am only me.
By Ruth Bourdon
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Make a vehicle donation and help The Center!! When you donate a car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or RV through Your Donations, Inc., it will directly benefit The Center and the work we do. Get rid of an unwanted vehicle and help The Center at the same time. With free towing and no hassle paperwork donating your vehicle is a breeze Not only do you get the satisfaction of helping The Center and our clients, your donation may qualify you for a possible tax deduction (consult your tax professional) Get started today and begin the vehicle donation process today! Call 1-888-736-6283 or click here to get started today!!
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