The best way to combat interpersonal and sexual violence is to prevent it from happening. Of necessity, Choices has served and continues to help victims and survivors. On page two of this news-letter you’ll see some of our FY19 statistics. In addition to providing emergency shelter and client services, we’ve also raised awareness and led educational programs on healthy relationships in local schools. Last year, Choices advocates began attending statewide preven-tion meetings led by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Health. Then we looked at what we could do to improve our community engagement efforts and begin primary prevention programs. In the spring of 2019, we modified several existing programs and developed the HeARTful Empowerment Program. We began pre-senting to Luray High School Art I classes the ‘Safe Dates’ curricu-lum. This fall we’re also working with students in the Luray Middle School Art classes. The “Do You” curriculum focuses on students’ self-esteem and community view. Each session ends with students creating art reflecting aspects of healthy relationships. You can view these works October 21 - 27 at the Warehouse Art Gallery in Luray along with works by Page County High School art students. Whether or not you’re able to take in the show, please know that your support has made so much of this new work possible. We thank you for supporting our efforts to reduce interpersonal and sexual violence in Page County.

“To prevent both domestic and sexual violence through public awareness and education and to serve as a resource and safe haven to those affected.”

CHOICESOctober is Domestic Violence Awareness Month October 2019

Choices Board of DirectorsChairperson – Eleanor AmesVice-Chairperson – Cathy WeaverTreasurer - Brian PlumSecretary - Gena Comer

Board MembersJerry BillerBow CookAudre KingJohn LeitingMary MenefeeCaleb RouthierKatherine SpainRev. Cathy Tibbetts

Choices StaffExecutive DirectorDebbie DartSexual Assault Program Coordinator / AdvocateTina KnuppCourt AdvocateLindy SwinsonServices CoordinatorRobin StevensChildren’s Services CoordinatorMichelle McClelland Outreach/Volunteer CoordinatorTracey FoxHousing CoordinatorJacalyn LeeMedia/Outreach CoordinatorBarb Stewart

Shelter ManagersJennifer Mayhew Sarah Meaney Mary RothgebFelicia Housden

Council on Domestic Violence for Page County, Inc.

Mission Statement

New Steps Toward Prevention

“I came to Choices with nothing but the weight of the world on my shoulders, afraid and confused! Choices allowed me time to stand before I walked and supported me until I could make it on my own.” - Former Client

Thanks to your help

• 66 women• 64 children• Total of 4,462 bed nights• Average of 12 people in shelter every night of the year

• 2% went back home with their abuser.• 5% went home and their abuser was no longer present.• 54% went to stay with a relative or friend.• 32% were able to obtain self-supported housing.• 7% left the area.

Choices Provided for the Safety and Protection of Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence

and their Children in Page County

July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019Provided temporary 24-hour safe shelter to:

In FY19 we had a 25% increase in the number of bed nights over FY18.

Each family in the shelter stayed as long as necessary to have their needs met:

• 2% stayed less than 24 hours• 36% 1 day to 1 week• 12% stayed 1 week to 2 weeks• 15% stayed 2 weeks to 30 days• 18% stayed 30 to 60 days• 5% stayed 60 to 90 days• 12 % stayed over 90 day

• 99% of those receiving services said they knew how to better plan for their safety.• 100% of those receiving services were more hopeful about their future.• 100% of those receiving services said they knew more about community services available to them.• 100% of those receiving services were confident about their next steps.

Of the 60 families exiting the shelter this year:

Because of the services Choices provided:

I feel like I can overcome anything! - Former Client

Look to the left and you’ll see we were busy day and night last year. Again. In addition to providing emergency shelter, advocates and shelter man-agers answered 414 calls on the 24-hour hotline/support line. We helped 10 adults and 15 children move into permanent housing through the Rap-id Rehousing Program. We provided some form of advocacy to 658 individuals. Children from kindergarten to high school learned elements of healthy relationships. Some things are harder to count. The shelter was kept safe, clean and stocked. We did a lot of listening. Clients left with new courage, confidence and skills. Small numbers can mean big things, too. The number three became magical recently. It took three years and help from agencies around the Commonwealth, but the last big hook of one fami-ly’s safety net is finally in place. Cryptic? Yes, confi-dentiality is crucial. Please imagine, though, years of stored tension finally draining from a woman and her children. Priceless. It’s important to celebrate the victories, large and small. We don’t usually have much time be-cause the phone rings or someone knocks on the door, or, both at the same time. Still, we hope you find joy in giving, because you create joy.

Notes on Numbers

You shop and Amazon gives 0.5% of the cost of your

eligible order to Choices!

place you can donate to while shopping. Be sure to type in “Council on Domestic Violence for Page County” and Choices will receive a donation,. If you have an Amazon account, it will save that information so that ev-ery time you shop Amazon, you will be helping donate money to Choices.

Donate While Shopping Next time you want to order something on-line, use Amazon Smile. Once on the Amazon Smile site, look on the right hand side of the page for the

School Marching Bulldogs Band will honor Domes-tic Violence Awareness Month by wearing purple wrist bands for their performances in October. Students at Lord Fairfax Community College - Luray Page Co. Center are creating T- Shirts for the Clothesline Project for the second year in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Clothes-line Project is a national campaign started in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. It is art created on t-shirts by survivors of physical, sexual and emotional violence expressing their feelings and stories of abuse and survival. The shirt is then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by the public as testimony to the problem of interpersonal violence and to let those who may suffer in silence know that they are not alone. T-shirts created from students will be displayed in the student lounge at Lord Fairfax Community College- Luray through-out October.

Community Students Get Involved for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Luray High School football team partners with Choices to defeat domestic violence. Tina Knupp/ Sexual Assault Advocate & Robin Stevens Services Coordinator talked to students about healthy relationships &consent.

For the third year, artwork by students of Luray and Page County High Schools will be on display at the Warehouse Art Gallery October 21st-27th during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The

theme is, “Peace on Earth Begins at Home.” Jim Mayes

generously donated space for the exhibit at the Gal-lery at 15 Campbell Street in Luray. We are excited about

the project and hope you’ll visit the Warehouse Art Gallery

that week. On Sunday, October 27th, the final day of the exhibit, Choices will host a reception with light refreshments from 1-3 pm. Please join us! Luray Bulldogs Varsity Football players will be wearing purple sweatbands in observance of Do-mestic Violence Awareness Month. The Luray High

Meet Bella, Therapy Dog Canine eyes gaze into human eyes. The four-footed beastie tilts her head towards a hairless hand. The hand touches the soft, furry head. The tail wags and the flatter face breaks into a grin. Love, the language that crosses the species line. This moment happened many times at the shelter over the last month thanks to Bella and her owner, Don Feliciano. Bella is a 5-year old Border Collie. Born on an Amish family farm in Ottobine, Virginia, Bella was raised by Don. She and Don to-gether completed the training of Alliance of Thera-py Dogs. Certified and insured by the Alliance, the duo looks forward to more visits. Healing from the effects of domestic or sex-ual violence is a long, complex process. Trained therapy animals can make a difference. Even the Mayo Clinic agrees. Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue in people with a range of health problems. And, Bella appears pleased by pats, rubs and kind words.

Choices receives a check from Shenandoah Valley Electric Company. Left to right Choices board members Cathy Weaver, Eleanor Ames, Director, Debbie Dart, SVEC public affairs manager, Morgan Slaven and board member Audre King.

Support Group For WomenTuesday Evenings | 6:30 p.m.Childcare is providedQuestions? Call (540)743-4414

• Vegetable oils for cooking• Broth: can, bouillon • Soup/stew/chili: can, pouch or box• Tuna, chicken, meat: can, pouch• Crackers, cracker snack packs• Bread mixes• Rice• Meal helpers• Pasta sauce

Shelter needs list • Pasta meals: canned, boxed• Peanut butter, jam, jelly• Fruit juice for kids: box, pouch, jug• Milk: box, pouch, can • Coffee, tea bags• Fruit cups for kids• Squeeze applesauce• Toilet paper• Laundry detergent

• Dish detergent• Disinfecting wipes• Feminine products• Baby wipes• Diapers• Foil and plastic wrap• Zipper bags, all sizes• Food storage containers• Washcloths, dishtowels

Domestic abuse and violence stem from a desire to gain and maintain power over an intimate partner. Abusive people often believe their own feelings and needs are the most im-portant. They use a variety of tactics to make their partners feel less valuable and undeserv-ing of respect.  No matter why it happens, abuse is nev-er justified. Abuse is learned, too often from peoples’ own family members. People in lead-ership roles, friends and popular culture can also teach abusive behaviors. Drug or alcohol abuse/addiction can escalate abuse, but are not causes. Individuals, however, can and do decide to work at behaving in healthier ways.

Why Do People Abuse Others?Adapted from the National Domestic Hotline

  Anyone can be abusive and anyone can be a victim. Abusers usually blame their victims for the abusers’ actions. That is part of the pattern used to create the desired power dynamic. The behaviors are, of course, the abuser’s choices and not the victim’s fault. Regardless of the circum-stances of the relationship or the pasts of either partner, no one ever deserves to be abused.

Please consider Choices in your estate planningEvery gift strengthens our mission and improves the lives of others.

Choices, Council Domestic Violence for Page County

216 West Main Street

Luray, VA 22835

NON-PROFIT

US POSTAGE

PAIDLURAY, VA 22835

PERMIT # 159

Funds for printing are provided by VADCJS Grant #20-A3579VP18

Thank You, Donors, Business Partners And VolunteersYour generosity throughout the year - and years - is most appreciated.

Want to Learn More?

CHOICESStaff are available to speak to your church,

civic group, or private organization. Call 540-743-4414