Volunteer ConnectionVolume 6 Issue 8 October 2014

Inside This Issue:

Welcome...........................1Ikea Makeover ..................1Healed Women Heal….....2National Night Out...........2Craft Beer For A Cause.....3Summer Volunteers..........4Hair Phases Walkathon....4Look Out For……............5Staff Connection..............6Media Corner………….....7New Needs..................…..8Volunteer Spotlight…......9Birthdays…………….......10

“The purpose of human life is to

serve, and to show compassion

and the will to help others.”

-ALbert Schweitzer

It’s the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and things have been pretty hectic around here lately. I want to thank every volunteer who had a chance to provide hours this quarter, it has been a pleasure working with you, seeing you around the office and receiving positive feedback from staff. Lately there has been a lot of discussion of domestic violences in the media, outcry about injustice and impunity in regards to domestic violence, and more demand for accountability and bystander intervention. This is awesome and I am happy that everyone here at the agency is a part of providing education and awareness about domestic violence to our friends, family, community, and clients alll year round. Together, we are making change. ..and we won’t stop until the violence does!

-Marina Wood, Prevention Coordinator

…Welcome…

Quote of the Month:

…Ikea Makeover…

Thank you to the IKEA Covina Life Improvement Challenge team for helping us to give our shelter living room a makeover! This team was led by two loyal and hard-working volunteers, Vanessa Flores and Adrianna Fernandez. You

ladies went above and beyond! Thank you!

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…Healed Women Heal Donation to House of Ruth…

…Pomona National Night Out…

One of House of Ruth’s amazing volunteers, Tracy Evanson, started a meetup group called Healed Women Heal meant for survivors of domestic violence to support eachother as well as assist current victim/survivors. They put “baskets of hope” together and donate these items to House of Ruth shelter clients to offer a glimpse of

hope with a purpose of inspiration, optimism, faith, encouragement & motivation during a victims most hopeless time. They are specially made baskets filled with thoughtfulness. Tracy said that ishe has heard that they have a positive impact on the ladies at the shelter and they want to continue and do more! Thanks Tracy and HWH!

Pomona Police Department’s National Night Out event at the Pomona Civic Center Plaza Aug. 5th.Two of our amazing voluneerss Dotty Chamberlain and Doreen Wills tabled this awesome fair.

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…CRAFT BEER FOR A CAUSE…

Top left: HofR volunteer Angie Orona and Marina. Top Center: HofR volunteer Pablo Padilla and Junko Ihrke. Top right: HofR volunteer Aaron Cortez and friend. Bottom right: HofR volunteerTaylor Marvulli and friends. Bottom center: Amber Francis and friends. Bottom right: HofR volunteer Cintia Rodriguez and partner.

On September 10th, 2014, House of Ruth supporters and beer drinkers alike came together at Dale Bros Brewery in Upland for some food and “cold ones”, and Dale Bros. donated 10% of the proceeds to House of Ruth. Many supporters were House of Ruth volunteers, including Aaron Cortez, Amber Francis, Pablo Padilla, Paul Rodriguez, Junko Ihrke, Taylor Marvulli and Cintia Rodriguez In total, we raised over $900 dollars for this small event, and we spent nothing on promotional materials.

Thank you all for helping make this event a success!

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…Welcome Summer Volunteers!…

"The House of Ruth volunteer training was an eye-opening, learning experience I will never forget. We dove right in the first day and I left feeling sad, angry, enlightened and empowered; however, eager to see what the next day would bring. Marina Wood our very knowledgeable and enthusiastic training instructor had a wonderful mix of speakers lined up each day to cover various topics and offer their personal expertise and experiences. The training also gave me the opportunity to meet and work with a group of people who share my same passion to advocate for and help women and children victimized by domestic violence. All in all, a training I would recommend anyone with the chance to take." -Vanessa Romero 

...House of Ruth/Hair Phases Salon Walkathon...

HofR volunteers Dottie Chamberlain and Melisa Whitehead help at the registration table.

HofR volunteer Dulce Pliego

HofR volunteer Junko Ihrke gets in the spirit with face painting and a

purple ribbon

In August, Hair Phases Salon in Rancho Cucamonga held a Walkathon to benefit House of Ruth at Chaffey College.Thanks to to all the volunteers for coming together and helping run this successful event!

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House of Ruth’s Rally out against Domestic Violence is coming up! Our annual Candlelight vigil will be hosted at Gary Senior High School Football Field 321 W Lexington Ave. Pomona, CA 91766 on Wednesday, October 22 6:00-8:00 P.M.

October 20th is Domestic Violence Awareness Day! House of Ruth will be closed in observance, but we encourage you to wear purple or a purple ribbon!Here are some ideas of how you can participate!!

Wear purple or a purple ribbon all month

Have a day dedicated at work, school, or church for everyone to wear purple

On October 20, which is Domestic Violence Awareness day, host an event, fundraiser, or donation drove

Attend our annual candlelight vigil and bring friends/ family

House of Ruth’s volunteer training is coming up again! The training will take place from January 13th-February 17th, every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6pm-10pm. Potential volunteers should contact Marina at Mwood@houseofruthinc.org.

Did you know?

October is:

Domestic Violence Awareness

Month

…Look Out For…

Volume 6 Issue 8 Page 6

…Staff Connection…This section helps us get to know a little bit more about the wonderful staff we have here at our agency and make sure that

volunteers continue to feel connected to House of Ruth.

This months Staff Connection is about our hard working and lively Case Manager, Alyssa McPherson! Alyssa started as a volunteer in 2012 working in the shelter advocate’s office twice a week assistang staff with answeing the hotline and shelter clients’ needs. Alyssa was hired as a Case Manager at the end of May this year!Congratulations Alyssa! Alyssa is the CFS Case Manager at the Ontario office. She works with San Bernadino County Outreach and CalWORKS clients, as well as clients who have an open case or referral from San Bernadino County CFS. Alyssa splits her time between Ontarion Outreach working with clients and teaching DV 101, and working at the Rancho Cucamonga CFS office advocating for clients and providing case management.

In my conversation with Alyssa, she described her favorite part about being with House of Ruth is that she loves the mission statement that we strive to accomplish through our work, and the people she gets to interact with every day. Not just her coworkers, who she greatly admires for their hard work and heartfelt dedication to their jobs, but her clients as well. Their courage and strength inspires her every day.

Thank you Alyssa for your huge heart and hard work at House of Ruth and your dedication to your clients!

Fun Facts About Alyssa:

Alyssa loves hiking! It is a great way to get her mind off the streses of daily life.

In 2012 She successfully climbed Mt. Whitney in one day!! Which is one of her biggest accomplishments!

She loves Sky diving. She has done it once and plans to do it again!

She loves cats so much she that she took

a class in college that was exclusively just about cats!

Tools for Self Care:

For self care, Alyssa likes to hike! She loves to create things, and she finds sewing in particular can keep her occupied for hours on end. She likes working with burlap, and so far she has made purses, some toys for her cat, and hacky sacks.

Alyssa is also musically talented! She loves making music on her guitar and learning how to play her favorite songs.

To contact Alyssa use the following information:Email: Amcpherson@houseofruthinc.org

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House of Ruth’s article on Ray Rice was published in La Nueva Voz before the NFL took action. Congratulations Sue!

The NFL Should Give Ray Rice A Greater Punishment for Domestic Violence IncidentViolence, especially violence against women, is a prominent issue when it comes to the field of sports. Lately this issue has been very apparent in the world of football. Despite the number of domestic violence incidents involving NFL players in the past year, the league has yet failed to make a statement regarding the severity of these issues or adequately punish players for these crimes. As domestic violence continues to be a growing problem in our community, it is very important that institutions such as the NFL and other sports leagues, publicly demonstrate their commitment to ending violence against women by taking a harder stance against players that commit acts of violence.

In the past year, there have been several news stories regarding incidents of domestic violence involving NFL players and their partners. Most recently, the NFL made headlines in the news when Ravens’ linebacker Ray Rice was charged with felony aggravated assault for domestic violence. The charges were made after Rice was caught on camera stepping out of an elevator with his unconscious fiancée Janay Palmer, whom he had assaulted inside. This unfortunate incident was an opportunity for the NFL to address the issue of violence that plagues the sport, and make a statement that it does not tolerate violence against women. However, when Commissioner Goodell chose to suspend Rice for only two games, the NFL sent out a message to its fans that it does not take domestic violence to be a very serious offense.

In fact, Rice’s punishment seems minimal in comparison to those that other players have received for other offenses, such as violating the NFL’s strict drug-ban policy. Recently, football player Terelle Pryor got suspended for five games for a memorabilia violation in college, and player Josh Gordon may be suspended for a year due to several marijuana violations. These punishments go to show that the NFL is willing to take the proper steps to ensure that their players adhere to their guidelines and serve as adequate role models to their fans. Therefore that raises the question: If the NFL can demonstrate a no-tolerance policy for players who violate the league’s strict no-drug policy, why can’t it do the same for incidents of domestic violence? Rice’s two-game suspension is far too lenient given the gravity of the situation.

If not for any other reason, it is important for the NFL to take a firm stance against violence against women because, whether they like it or not, NFL leaders, coaches and players serve as role models to millions of fans across the nation. Therefore, when a player commits an act of violence and the NFL commissioner chooses to downplay this incident, the NFL implies to its fans that violence against women is not an important issue to the league. However, given that almost 50% of NFL fans are women and 1 in 4 women will experience intimate partner violence throughout their lifetime, violence against women should be an issue that the league takes more seriously. The lack of interest that the NFL has displayed in addressing these issues also seems contradictory for a sports league that claims to be supportive of women, and is even trying to market to that demographic by launching a campaign to promote breast cancer awareness.

In the midst of these allegations, many want to focus on the fact that Janay Palmer, Rice’s now-wife, has stayed by her husband’s side throughout these allegations. There have even been those such as ESPN Sports Analyst Stephen A. Smith, who stated that women need to learn how to not “provoke wrong actions” from men. Although Smith has since retracted his statement after facing much criticism, his words reflect many people’s tendency to blame victims instead of the perpetrator. There are several reasons why women chose to stay in domestic violence relationships such as fear, isolation, lack of knowledge of resources available, fear of homelessness and financial dependence on their partner. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that focusing on why the victim stays only takes away blame from the batterer.

Domestic violence is a very serious issue that affects everybody in our community. Therefore, when somebody who is in the public eye makes such a serious offense, it is important for those involved to properly address the issue and make it clear that violence against women is never okay. The NFL had an opportunity to demonstrate its support of women by giving Rice a longer suspension or expelling him from the league, but failed to do so. We can only hope that the NFL learns from the criticism it has received, and takes a clear stance against violence against women in the future.

Sue AebischerExecutive DirectorHouse of Ruth

MEDIA CORNER:

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Prevention:❖ We need volunteers who are interested in helping

with a womens circle at SEEO. This will be a 9 week session held on Thursdays starting Oct. 16- Dec. 18.

❖ In January we will be starting a womens and mens circle at Diamond Ranch HS. Times and dates are TBA.

Contact: Ashley Solis asolis@houseofruthinc.org

Volunteer Coordination:❖ We could use volunteers interested in helping to

plan and organize for the winter volunteer training and the April volunteer appreciation dinner.

Contact: Marina Wood mwood@houseofruthinc.org

Counseling:❖ Counseling needs a volunteer to help file.

Contact: Vibi Salcedo vsalcedo@houseofruthinc.org

Shelter: We are so excitied to announce we have a garden at

shelter! We need assistance developing and maintaining are three areas in the garden: fruits, vegetables, and herbs! As well as helping in our educational program about the garden for our clients.

We are in need volunteers to assist with developing and maintaining a learning center at our new ten-plex in Fontana. Volunteers will help children in the afternoons with school work, tutoring, wellness, yoga, as well as art activities.

Contact: Kim Mason kmason@houseofruthinc.org

Donations:❖ We need assistance in sorting donations.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we will need help sorting food as well as cleaning our the food pantry.

Contact: Susie Salcedo ssalcedo@houseofruthinc.org

Reception:❖ Reception is in need of filing assistance, as well as

stocking/inventory for first aid.❖ We are in need of coverage for reception.

Contact: Gabriela Osuna reception@houseofruthince.org

Outreach Childcare:❖ We need childcare assistance on Wednesday

9:00-11:00 and 11:00-12:30. ❖ We could use your help to organize paper work.❖ If you have a passion, or background in creating

activities for children we need help organizing art activities.

❖ Look out for our holidays! We will need help passing out candy for our little halloween trick-or-treaters.

Contact: Lisa Irey Lirey@houseofruthinc.org

Community Services:❖ Holiday store coming your way! We need volunteers

to help with coordinating donations the week prior to our Holiday store! Our Holiday store will be going on December 16-18. More information TBA.

Contact: Melissa Pitts mpitts@houseofruthinc.org

Development:❖ We are in need of volunteers to assist with our

Candlelight Vigil, Gala, and Upcoming Events.Contact: Pat Bell pbell@houseofruthinc.org

…NEW NEEDS…There is always a way to lend a hand here at House of Ruth, so in this section you will find any new, updated,

or upcoming needs that the different departments of HoR would like volunteer help with.

Small acts transform the world- Anonymous

…Volunteer Spotlight…Volume 6 Issue 8 Page 9

Director of Development Pat Bell would like to highlight Melisa Whitehead and Vanessa Romero, both regular volunteers in the Development Department who do amazing work helping us with grant research, donor phone calls and general administrative help with fundraising.  We couldn’t do it without you!!!  Thank you!!! Pat would also like to highlight the Gala Solicitation Team!  Those superstars are Dottie Chamberlain, Doreen Wills and Bella Velazquez.  These awesome ladies have scoured the communities to gather items for our Silent Auction.  Thank you for your tireless efforts and productive outcomes!  The Gala Silent Auction will be a wonderful success thanks to you!

Community Services Coordinator Maricela Pena and Director of Community Services Melissa Pitts wanted to highlight Brenda Davila. Brenda is such a blessing to our department! We want to thank her for her loyatly and years of community service with us! Your hard work and dedicatin show with your amazing service in intake case management, seeing 12 appointments every month, 3 a week, and a show rate of 9 out of 12! That is amazing! We are so happy that many of our new clients first contact is with you! Knowing their fist experience is with Brenda, giving clience a sense of comfort and emotional support, we know they are in good hand! We want to thank you for your patients, compassion, wonderful listening skills, and overall comfort you present to our House of Ruth’s clients! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! We are blessed to have you!

Pomona Outreach Case Manager Susie Salcedo-Ramirez would like to share her appreciation for Dottie Chamberlain for being her donation coordinator assistant, and to Kiara Smith-McDuffie and Sister Joan for all the help they provided our hotline service! We appreciate both of your commitment to cover the hotline when we need! Thank you so much!! Susie would also like to give a shout-out to Kaley Machado for all her help sorting donatinos! Thank you amazing volunteers!!

Shelter Director Kimberly Mason would like to thank Kiara Smith-McDuffie who been amazing to our hotline advocate office! Thank you for all the relief you provided covering our houtline, especially for being a new volunteer of only 6 months! Thank you for covering when we had no staff available as well as managing the flow of shelter, making sure clients come in and out safely! Our clients appriciate all the help you have provided them! Shelter thanks you!!!

Childcare Advocate Lisa Irey said that this quarter she was grateful for Jessica Davis-Leyva. Jessica is a dedicated volunteer that loves providing childcare for the Outreach Children’s Program. The children love her and she is a blessing to have on the Childcare team. Thank you Jessica from all of us in the Program!!!

The staff at the Shelter Children’s Program wanted to show appreciation for Karen Siegal, Evelien Magana and Ally Patton. Thank you for all the amazing work you are doing in sheler! We are so greatful to have you wonderful volunteers with us!

Receptionist Gabby Osuna wanted to give a shout-out to Doreen Wills, you are such a warm, welcoming, ball of sunshine! Your energy and warmth is contagious! Thank you for your dedication and willingness to do anything for our agency! We are so happy our clients are greeted by a warm person as yourself!

Prevention Coordinator Marina Wood and Prevention Eductor Ashely Solis want to give *snaps* to the three teen volunteers who put in regular hours with them in the office this quarter. Thank you Shaafi Farooqi, Diana Arreola and Hannah Leonard, you were a huge help! Marina also wants to thank Jessica Pierce, another teen volunteer, who made two amazing PSA for the prevention department. Awesome work! Marina and Ashley also want to give a shout out to the prevention team in general, and want to highlight the volunteers who have been incredibly generous with their time and important efforts by committing to long-term curriculums this quarter, Taylor Marvulli, Krystle Young, Brooke Anderson, Aaron Cortez and Crystal Sellers. Thank you all so much!! Marina also wants to thank three volunteers who have assisted with her volunteer coordination, Dottie Chamberlain for all of her help before and during the Summer 2014 volunteer training, Brooke Anderson for helping to work on creating brochures and helping with the volunteer newsletter, and Bettina Aschenbrenner for helping to train staff and volunteers, and for all her hard work in prevention and outreach. Thank you all!

Executive Director Sue Aebischer would like to give thanks to Cecilia Houston for all her assistance in the admin department! You are amazing!

August Birthdays

Natalie Lenihan: 16thSandy Olano: 20thGabriela Osuna: 21st

David Ton: 23rdWendy Gudino: 23rd

Adrianna Fernandez: 24thKelsey Hernandez: 25thGuadalupe Baker: 28th

Melinda Will: 31st

July Birthdays

Ayesha Gudzer: 2ndTaelyr Patton: 5th

Marjorie Martinez: 8thJessica Davis Leyva: 10th

Lindy Olson: 13thBrooke Anderson: 20thKayley Machado: 21stTaylor Marvulli: 25th

SeptemberBirthdays

Lizeth Gonzalez: 5thAaron Cortez: 8thJessie Fuentes: 9thBella Velasquez: 9thDulce Pliego: 12thMelissa Love: 17thClaudia Perez: 21stPablo Padilla: 25th

Crystal Sellers: 28th

Happy Birthday! Last but not least, we want to wish a

To the Following Volunteers:

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