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Happy New Year!
The year ahead, given the economic turmoil we are all facing, suggests a difficult year for all of us. While Operation Care gets much of its funding from federal and state grants, we cannot operate without donations from community benefactors, private donors and our ongoing fundraising efforts. We are uncertain how California's budget crisis will affect us so we are taking steps to examine our costs, even though 84% of our operating budget is applied toward client care.
It may appear that we are fully sponsored by large donations but our fundraising goal of $50,000 for our fiscal year July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 still is lacking and we have significant plans to continue to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the coming year. If you can help, it would be much appreciated.
From the staff, Board of Directors and volunteers at Operation Care, we'd like to thank you for your support and extend our wishes for peaceful year filled with happy and healthy relationships. |
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Letter from a mom...
I am a 36-year old mother of two. My husband physically, emotionally and sexually abused me. I thought I was all the things he said I was. I thought if I could only be better as a wife, things would get better. Then I became aware that the abuse I was suffering through was affecting my two boys just as much as it was affecting me. In June 2005, in the middle of the night, we escaped with our lives. Today, with the help of Operation Care, I am free, living my life abuse-free.
Don't wait...get help now!
For other survivor stories:
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If you've missed giving a gift for the holiday season and would still like to do that, consider making a donation to Operation Care in honor or in memory of a loved one. A gift card will be mailed to the person you honor in recognition of your contribution. This is a wonderful way to recognize a friend or family member while providing hope to those most vulnerable in our county. | |
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Mock Trial helps Seventh-Graders Understand Dating Violence
 In October, more than 150 Ione Junior High School seventh-graders participated in two-hour Amador County Superior Court mock trials presided over by Judge Susan Harlan. Attorneys, bailiffs, stenographers, court staff and other members of the community participated in the scripted trial about a high school boy and girl - Lily Lohan and Mr. Federline - who attended a school dance one night where the alleged incident happened. After the trial proceedings, the Ione students were divided into three juries and had about 15 minutes to deliberate before announcing their respective verdicts to the court.
As part of the Amador County Domestic Violence Council, the student education committee discussed different methods of educating students about dating and domestic violence and, when the idea of the mock trial was introduced by Judge Harlan, all agreed it would be a great educational tool. "Domestic Violence cases are unique in that often times the victim recants statements made to the officers at the time of the offense. Our goal was to create a mock trial in which students could experience this very real dilemma," said Judge Harlan.
Todd Riebe, Amador County District Attorney, noted: "This event shows our students in a very real way the inner workings of the criminal justice system, informs them on the dynamics of domestic violence at a level they can understand, and presents to them examples of career opportunities within the criminal justice field." |
 Mule Creek Inside-Out Art Show and Sale a Great Success
Crowds of visitors flocked to see the exceptional art and woodwork of Mule Creek's Arts in Correction and Mill and Cabinet vocational programs. The Inside-Out Art Show and Sale raised more than $12,000 to benefit Operation Care's domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
The show featured several hundred pieces, with the majority being ceramic items. They included micorwaveable stoneware, low-fire earthenware and decorative raku. A variety of two-dimensional works, mostly representative art, reflecting images of animals such as a fox, tiger and birds as well as still lifes and landscapes created in colored pencil, watercolor and acrylics.
"This is one of the ways that the inmates give back to neighboring communities in the county of Amador," said Jean Walker, Community Partnership Manager for Mule Creek State Prison. "They participate with the knowledge that their artwork will be sold with the proceeds going to Operation Care which helps victims. The inmates do not get any personal gain from this show and sale, only the satisfaction and knowledge that they are giving back to the community." |
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Wells Fargo Gives
 Wells Fargo's Plymouth Branch Manager, Donna Brune, presented Lynn Shield with a check for $1,000 at the Wells Fargo Foundation's Community Partners breakfast reception on October 22nd. The Wells Fargo branch management team and regional offices, in conjunction with the Wells Fargo Foundation contributed over $12,000 to regional agencies as a way of giving back to their community. Other Amador recipients included Argonaut High School and Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District. The Plymouth branch of Wells Fargo honors Operation Care throughout the year through awareness campaigns and promotions. |
H.O.P.E. Days Help!
On November 4th and 6th, Ione Family Chiropractic held their annual Patient Appreciation Days to provide H.O.P.E. to those in need. H.O.P.E., otherwise known as "Help Other People Eat", is an effort to help those in need during the holiday season.
All existing patients who scheduled an appointment received free treatment on November 4th. Then on November 6th, any new patients, family, or friends invited by a patient received a free consultation, exam and x-rays (if needed) to see if chiropractic would benefit them. Free scoliosis screenings were also provided for children 14 and under. Drs. Lowe and Dunbar provided the services at no charge but asked that each patient bring a non-perishable food item an unused personal hygiene item or $5.00 in cash, all of which was donated to Operation Care and Interfaith Food Bank. In all, we received enough food to make five Thanksgiving baskets, fifteen bags with three meals for a family of four, twelve cases of canned goods for the safe house, and a similar quantity that was delivered to the Food Bank!
Thank you to Drs. Lowe and Dunbar and the staff of Ione Family Chiropractic and to all of the patients who provided H.O.P.E. to those in need!
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Cozy Quilts Give Comfort
Jakki Schotz of Sierra Quilter's Guild recently presented  Operation Care with dozens of magnificent hand-quilted throws for adults and children, along with one full size autumn quilt suitable for a raffle or silent auction. The cozy, one-of-a-kind lap quilts are given to each child and adult resident of our safe house when they first arrive. "It gives women and children a sense of "home" to have something that was made with love and is their own to keep," said Lynn Shield, Executive Director of Operation Care. The Sierra Quilters Guild also delivered hand-made quilted stockings along with small toys for the children during the holidays. The Guild also provides quilts and stocking to other agencies throughout Amador County.
Thank you to all the quilters! THE QUILT
What happens to a woman battered?
Like a piece of fine fabric that becomes torn and tattered.
Like a piece of fine china that is suddenly shattered.
Like the cloth and cup, she will never be the same again.
She has been damaged, frayed and broken.
Something beautiful has been lost forever
But with care and kindness, the right thread and glue,
She can begin to repair the damage. She can begin to heal.
What happens to a woman battered when she begins to heal?
She becomes a quilt. She becomes a mosaic,
Beautiful in a new way and stronger than she ever was before.
Ian Goff-LaFontaine
Women in Shadow and Light
Journeys from Abuse to Healing
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 Warm wishes for a safe
and peaceful 2009
from the Operation Care staff!
L-R (back) Dezi,Sabrina,Denise,Ashley,Lynda (front) Candace, Lynn, Tammie  |
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