Fall 2014

*See back page for tear-off registration form

Keynote Speaker: Ruth Rondon

After falling prey to traffickers as a teenager, Ruth Rondon broke free

from 18 years of sex trafficking at age 33. For years, Ruth navigated

through life in survival mode, lonely and oblivious to her own potential

and to the power she held inside.

Ruth went on to work as a clerk for 27 years and is now retired. She

provides valuable insight on how to prevent human trafficking, how to

intervene and also how to engage with victims. Her passion is to inspire a

generation to end human trafficking.

Board of Directors

2017

President

Melissa Higbee

Vice President

Hannah Gottschalk

Treasurer

Jim Dedyne

Secretary

Janna Birchmeier

Sarah Bouck

Graham Filler

Emily Garrison

Stephen Gill

Melinda Motz

Honorable Michelle Rick

Honorable Matthew Stewart

Registration + More Information

Visit www.thesafecenter.org under ‘News/Events’

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Help fund our programs!

Please donate to SafeCenter by visiting us at our website

www.thesafecenter.org

Become a Weaving The Vision Event Sponsor Today!

Visionary — $2,500 Hero — $500 Advocate — $100

Champion — $1000 Pacesetter — $250 Silent Auction Item

Silent Auction Items Include

3 Day Stay at Homestead, Glen Arbor • Fishing Charter, Ludington

Handmade Quilts • MSU Homecoming Football Game • Sports Memorabilia

Please watch Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for additional items!

Weaving the Vision

NINTH ANNUAL DINNER & SILENT AUCTION

April 26, 2017

Hawk Hallow Golf Club • Lakeview Room

15101 Chandler Rd. • Bath, MI 48808

Reception: 5:30 PM • Dinner: 6:00 PM

$35.00 per person

Music by Jim Spring and Pooh Stevenson

Attire is business formal or cocktail

April is National Sexual Assault Month

In Memory, Honor & Celebration

“A life that touches others goes on forever”. ~author unknown

Whether it is something people can bring themselves to face or not, sexual assault has been occurring for far longer than anyone could guess. To most it is a shameful thing; not something to be addressed freely and openly.

The movement against sexual assault began in the late 1970s when women began to hold Take Back the Night marches as a way to protest the violence they encountered while walking the streets at night. It wasn’t until the 1980s that violence against women began getting more public attention, and it was decided that the month of October could be a time to bring awareness to domestic violence.

A few years later, activists began looking for a separate time to bring awareness to the issue of sexual assault, and settled on one week in April. As the movement picked up momentum in the 1990s, activists called for a whole month. It still wasn’t until 2001 that the first officially observed national Sexual Assault Awareness Month took place in the US, using teal as its official color. In the 16 years since, there has been a yearly theme

and numerous events scheduled all across the nation during the month of April.

This year’s theme is Engaging New Voices. SafeCenter is taking part by spreading awareness to religious leaders, coaches, bar owners, and college students-the group who statistically deals with sexual assault issues the most. Social media is also being used in new ways this year to reach out more than ever before. We engaged our staff by holding a T-shirt design contest within our organization with the winning design being printed on T-shirts, which will be sold during the month of April. There also will be a coloring contest, with the prize for best design being a t-shirt and a gift card. Along with all of the new voices that join us every day, we continue to hear the voices we have always heard the loudest; those of survivors.

In Memory of:

Edward Wisniewski

Mildred Root

Helen Bara

Barbara Klug

In Honor of:

Doris & RV Allen

Please watch SafeCenter’s Facebook page for opportunities on how you can

help raise awareness about sexual assault during the month of April.

A couple things you can do …….

make a donation to SafeCenter in honor of people in your life impacted by sexual assault.

Wear teal or get a group together wearing teal, take a picture and share on our Facebook page.

Sponsor an advertisement around town.

Human Trafficking (HT) is another form of

modern day slavery. This includes exploitation of

an individual for sex or labor services through

force, fraud, or coercion. Victims are groomed,

threatened, or kidnapped into a life of HT.

Perpetrators prey on those who are vulnerable in-

cluding children, adolescents, and women. This is

done on the streets, in malls, through the internet

and also in schools. More cases are being seen

where other students will try and recruit their

fellow peers within their school. Labor trafficking

and sex trafficking is also being seen in massage

parlors, nail shops, farms, strip clubs, and

suburban areas.

The Human Trafficking Task Force of Shiawassee

County (HTTSC) has been working diligently to

combat trafficking. Sexual Assault Advocate and

Chair of the HTTSC, Gina Reynolds, has been

working with her colleagues to make this work

possible. Collaboration is critical in the anti-

trafficking movement. Together, they are forming

the foundation needed to effectively combat

trafficking by developing a system of care for

victims and providing the community with

education on this social problem.

January was Human Trafficking Awareness

Month. The task force went out into the

community to answer the questions of concerned

citizens and provide vital knowledge on

trafficking. Recently, Human Trafficking Analyst

Robert Harvey of the Department of Health and

Human Services provided a trafficking training at

our monthly committee meeting. Meetings are

held the second Tuesday of every month and open

to the public. If you have any questions or are

interested in a presentation on trafficking being

provided in your agency, please contact

SafeCenter. As we move forward, we hope to

educate the community on trafficking along with

identify victims. We provide comprehensive

services for those who have suffered from sexual

assault including sex trafficking. We provide

individual counseling and group counseling along

with other supportive services. We will continue to

collaborate with other community members and

partners to make the HTTSC as effective as

possible to serve those in and around Shiawassee

County.

SafeCenter Actively Fighting Against Human Trafficking

Pictured (l-r): Katie Wheeler (Covenant Eyes), Gine Reynolds (SafeCenter), Robert Harvey (DHHS), Christina Tipton (Genessee County Youth Corp), Michael Olsey (Owosso Police), Cassandra Kotlarczyk (Memorial Healthcare), Liz Brown (SafeCenter) Sam Black (Covenant Eyes), Olga Morales (Child

Abuse Prevention Council of Shiawassee County)

Our Volunteers…2016-2017

Ann Arwin

Carol Gehringer

Carol Wooley

Chawnee Scott

Christine Jones

Claudia Claucherty

Claudia Linnartz

Debby Kloosterman

Emily Wood

Child Care Assistant

Donation Pickup/Delivery

Maintenance/Repair

Newsletter

Office Assistant

On-Call Crisis Intervention

Shelter Assistant

Special Events

Transporter

Yard/Garden Work

...Volunteer Opportunities

Jim Rasmussen

Jennifer Fernand

Jesse Goldman

Kendra Matthies

LCC CRESA CJ

Work Based

Learning

Lenna & Richard

Forsythe

Lexy Scott

Shelter needs list

Plastic totes Bath towels Cleaning Products Diapers Size 4 and larger Conditioner Body Wash Lotion Deodorant Bleach Floor cleaners Paper towels Spray disinfectant Dish soap Toilet tissue Laundry detergent Dishwasher detergent Coffee creamer Vegetable oil Barbeque sauce Mayo/m. whip Mustard/Ketchup Kitchen items Kitchen Rugs Area Rugs SafeCenter will also be looking for volunteers and resources when the weather gets warmer to

do light spring yard work and clean-up. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact

SafeCenter at 989-723-9716.

Mike Zamarron

Owosso First Church

of the Nazarene

Shantanique Crumby

Sherill Tracy

Shiawassee Youth

Center

Shiawassee Youth

Advisory Council

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and teal is the offi-cial color used to promote awareness, education and healing. Safe-Center is placing these ribbons throughout the community to raise awareness about sexual violence. How can you participate?

Have discussions with your peers. Post on social media #wewearteal. Tell a friend about SafeCenter. It’s never too late to get help! Follow SafeCenter on Facebook and Twitter. Get involved! Support SafeCenter…become a volunteer, donate items

or make a financial gift!

VISIONARY SPONSERS Altria Group Inc. CHAMPION SPONSORS June Cudney Bonnie Ladouceur James Rasmussen John Rosser St. Joseph Catholic Church Holly Taylor HERO SPONSORS David and Julie Banas Jim and Heather Dedyne Robert and Kathleen Kelly Mid Michigan Woodworkers Guild Robert Pearl Redeemer Lutheran Church Gery and Sheila Rehmann Barbara Shaaban Sandra Ward PACESETTER SPONSORS Chris and Sarah Bouck Anna Darabos DeWitt Breakfast Lion's Club District 11-C2 Lioness Clubs Durand Area Lions Club Bob and Betty Grzesiak Sandra Hehrer LAFCU Mike & Sheri Menard, Ovid-Elsie Lioness Club Roger and Ruth Pline Redeemer United Methodist Church Lavern Schneider St. Jude Church Renae Stuck Kim Walworth

ADVOCATE SPONSORS Patricia and Robert Allison Judy Cappiello Carland United Methodist Church Clinton County Sheriff's Department-Mounted Division Tom Cook and Anna Owens Dennis and Carolyn Cross Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Lambda First Congregational Church of Owosso First United Methodist Church Carole Ford Janis Green Karen Hornus Virginia L. Jones Journey Federal Credit Union Label Shopper Law Office Of Patrick Marutiak Gerry Leduc Lioness Club Of DeWitt Lownds Consulting Norma Jean Mackersie David and Dianna Maurer New Lothrop First United Methodist Women Michaela Rademacher Laurice Riker Shiawassee H.O.G. Chapter L.O.H. Patrick & Patricia St. George Trinity United Methodist Women Jessica Unangst Elmer and Jan Upton David and Lynn Vincent G Wilson Carol and Doug Wooley

We Gratefully Acknowledge Our Supporters...

Philanthropic support is very important to us and we make every effort to ensure there

are no omissions or misspellings. Please forgive any oversights and contact us so

that we may amend unintentional errors. Contact Shelly Safi at 989.723.9716 or

shelly@thesafecenter.org.

SafeCenter is funded in part by:

Capital Area United Way

Cook Family Foundation

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Greater Lansing Food Bank

Michigan Domestic/Sexual Violence Prevention & Treatment Board

Shiawassee Community Foundation

Shiawassee United Way

Victims of Crime Act

Sponsors listed donated to SafeCenter between

October 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017.

Along with monetary donations, SafeCenter received in-kind

donations totaling $17,780 for the above time period.

Call 989.723.9716! Visionary - $2500 and above

Your Visionary gift will provide 208 children with safe, overnight shelter and nutritious meals.

Listed in the Weaving the Vision dinner program, SafeCenter’s newsletter, annual report and all yearly publications.

Six tickets to the Annual Weaving the Vision dinner.

Visionary recognition on donor tree, at the annual dinner and the SafeCenter Golf Outing.

Champion - $1000 to $2499

Your Champion gift will provide 68 hours of prevention education and awareness to children and teens.

Listed in the Weaving the Vision dinner program, SafeCenter’s newsletter, annual report and all yearly publications.

Four tickets to the Annual Weaving the Vision dinner.

Champion recognition on donor tree, at the annual dinner and the SafeCenter Golf Outing.

Hero - $500 to $999

Your Hero gift will provide 12 survivors of sexual assault with 5 therapy sessions.

Listed in the Weaving the Vision dinner program, SafeCenter’s newsletter, annual report and all yearly publications.

Two tickets to the Annual Weaving the Vision dinner.

Hero recognition on donor tree, at the annual dinner and the SafeCenter Golf Outing.

Pacesetter - $250 to $499

Your Pacesetter gift will provide 6 adult survivors of domestic violence with 5 counseling sessions.

Listed in the Weaving the Vision dinner program, SafeCenter’s newsletter, annual report and all yearly publications.

One ticket to the Annual Weaving the Vision dinner.

Pacesetter recognition on donor tree, at the annual dinner and the SafeCenter Golf Outing.

Advocate - $100 to $249

Your Advocate gift will provide 7 individuals with Personal Protection Order filing assistance.

Listed in the Weaving the Vision dinner program, SafeCenter’s newsletter, annual report and all yearly publications.

Stock the Shelves/Silent Auction

Your gift of an in-kind donation allows SafeCenter to keep the shelves stocked with essential items requested by individuals and families in need. Silent Auction items are used to raise funds for SafeCenter programs.

Donation item ideas:

Gift cards to local grocery stores/gas stations

Kleenex/toilet tissue/paper towel

Socks/undergarments/pajamas—adult/children

Bath and kitchen towels

Pillows/sheets/blankets

Trash Bags—all sizes

Contact SafeCenter for additional needs list

Silent Auction Item ideas:

Items with company logo

Sporting team logo items

Tickets to concert or event

Gift certificate/card to local restaurant, movies

Disclaimer: The above are examples of what may be provided with your donation. Within the limits prescribed by law, the amount of your donation may be deductible for Federal income tax purposes. SafeCenter’s tax ID number is 38-2552460.

Sponsorship Opportunities!

SafeCenter recently received one of its largest donations of this kind! Representative Tom Leonard (l) advocated for this wonderful donation from Tim Ward (r) and Altria. Accepting this donation is board member Graham Filler (c). Thank you to everyone involved!

Thank you to the Cook Family Foundation for their continued support of SafeCenter and it’s mission. Pictured above are board President Melissa Higbee (l) and Interim Executive Director Shelly Safi (r) accepting a donation from Cook Family Foundation Executive Director Tom Cook (c).

Anita and Dale Ladouceur donated a brand new range for the shelter to replace the old one. The clients and staff thank them for their thoughtful and very generous gift.

Machine Tool and Gear (MTG) and Beyer’s Furniture collaborated to donate a new living room set to our shelter for client use. We cannot thank them enough for their generous contribution! Pictured above are employees of MTG.

Highlights... Celebrating the past year

Non-Profit

Standard Rate

U.S. Postage Paid

St. Johns, MI

Permit No. 12

PO Box 472 St. Johns, MI 48879 www.thesafecenter.org

RSVP for the

annual Dinner today!

Check payable to: SafeCenter PayPal via www.thesafecenter.org

Visa MasterCard Discover American Express

Credit Card Number:

Expiration Date: CSC (3 or 4 digit code):

Name on Card-Please Print Cardholder’s Signature

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Email: Please post payment to: PO Box 472, St. Johns, MI 48879