Annual Report - Laurel House

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two 4,032 students attended high school programs from the executive director Dear Friends and Community Members, Thank you, as always, for the support you have provided to Laurel House over this past year. We are so fortunate to have a broad base of community support, including children who sell handicrafts and donate the proceeds to Laurel House, teens who do service projects for us, and adults who provide financial and in-kind donations, as well as people of all ages who volunteer their time and talents to help us further our mission. The “Battered Women’s Movement” began in this country almost 40 years ago. Over that time, considerable progress has been made. What was once considered a “private family matter” is now much more openly talked about and addressed, and the legal system has made big strides on many levels. Over the years, many of us who work in domestic abuse organizations have come to recognize that men can be victims too, and ‘The Movement” has grown to include a coordinated network of services and supports for women, men and children who are endangered due to domestic abuse. While it is our hope that one day the need for our direct services – Hotline support, Shelter, Transitional Housing, Emergency Response, Legal Assistance, and Counseling – will no longer be necessary, we know that day will, most likely, be a long time coming. Until then, we thank you for all that you do to help us keep our doors open and our phone lines running. Our Community Education/Prevention efforts continue to expand, with the help of countless volunteers. Over this past year, our Community Educator presented to over 5000 high school and college students about teen dating violence and healthy relationships. In addition, many of you assisted us by “staffing” information tables at local community fairs, national night out events, and health promotion workshops. Perhaps you helped out by putting up domestic violence awareness posters at your church or temple. Perhaps you talked with your elected officials about the need for legislation to help survivors stay safe, or maybe you talked with one of your friends about the “early warning signs” of abuse. For whatever ways you helped to “raise awareness”, we thank you. Domestic Abuse is a community concern – it affects all of us, directly or indirectly. As Laurel House embarks on our 30th year, we hope that each of you will continue to join with us in our efforts to provide the supportive services that are needed by survivors and their children, as well as the prevention/education work that will, hopefully, lessen the need for services for future generations. Thank you, Beth Beth E. Sturman Executive Director Anna Vo, Beth, Tommie, and Alanna Messner at the senior project fashion show with live music that raised over $2000. women served through our Medical Advocacy Program 123
stories of hope and inspiration Domestic violence takes many forms and its victims come from all walks of life. They are our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family members. Over the past year, Laurel House has touched the lives of many who have suffered abuse. While the names have been changed to ensure confidentiality and safely, the stories below reflect a true sample of those experiences. 52 counseling support group sessions I called Laurel House one morning after my husband was hurting me. I was afraid for my 3 year-old son and my unborn child. I heard about Laurel House from a friend of mine. I called the hotline and was so glad when they said they had space for me. When I got there I felt safe, but still very scared about what would happen next because I was pregnant and due in less then 2 weeks. During my stay at the shelter I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl. My counselor, Michelle, assisted me in applying for housing. I was accepted into a transitional Housing program where I will be able to continue to get the support for myself and my family. –Latisha Laurel House’s Domestic Abuse Response Team is in its 5th year of partnering with the Hatfield Township Police Department. According to Sergeant Jane Robertson, the program’s value became especially clear when a woman’s family and friends called the station from Georgia. After learning her whereabouts, the woman’s boyfriend (a Hatfield Township resident) drove all night to Georgia, intent on retrieving his girlfriend from her friends’ home. Afraid for their safety, the woman went with the boyfriend. She endured repeated violent acts – with her son present - during the drive back to Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, because of the tips from Georgia, Hatfield Township officers were waiting. At the residence, they observed the woman hiding upstairs; even at that distance, they could tell she had a black eye and was terrified. Initially, she declined the police’s help. But then came the offer that made the difference – the promise to safely escort her and her son away. With the support and assistance received from Laurel House’s DART II advocate, she and her son would have a chance for a new life. Within an hour, and with the DART II advocate, she and her child were on their way to safety. –Tina I had always been terrified of going to a shelter, though I had been in an abusive marriage for nearly 25 years. I figured they could not possibly help me escape my husband and keep me safe if he decided to carry out his threat to kill me if I ever left him. Since my husband had never actually physically beaten me, and he was not violent in front of or to my son, I figured I didn’t have a legitimate reason to call the police or a violence hotline number when a violent episode broke out. So, I sought answers through counseling for many years, but it was not helpful. My counselors simply did not understand my Enemy—Domestic Violence—and neither did I. Recently, I came to my final breaking point. My son had informed me he’d been verbally abused by his father over the years when I was not home. “Go to Laurel House,” the counselor said. I thank God for that one little sentence—it has changed all of our lives. When I walked into the office of Minna Davis at Laurel House, I knew I had finally found someone who understood what I was saying—and I had been saying it for years. The stress had done so much damage to my mental and physical health I felt as if I were slowly being strangled to death. And, though my husband had made much progress over the years, I was still afraid to leave him. Minna listened, she spoke in a calm voice, she compassionately helped me to see the truth about my life, and then gave me the most practical and helpful advice I had ever received. I now had knowledge, courage, legal aide and the support of men and women who not only knew and understood my Enemy—this Evil Giant, the Beast called Domestic Violence—but could help me take up the weapons to fight him. I went home and told my husband that I was going to Domestic Violence counseling and that there was a group for abusers if he was willing. He has been in the S.A.F.E program Minna recommended for four weeks now, and has been getting honest about his life. He has finally confessed to his violent behavior and seems to be finding healing for the abuse he suffered in his own childhood. One of the most powerful weapons the Laurel House gave me is their Support Group. Hearing the stories of other women is healing and informative. Bonds of love and trust are forming. I am learning how the others overcame the isolation, hopelessness, mental and physical stress, fear, legal challenges, poverty, powerlessness, denial, escape, humiliation and danger. At last I have hope for recovery from my illnesses, hope for my son and even my husband, and am finally free from this Evil Giant, this Beast I could not battle alone. –Ariel 92 children received shelter three
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Annual Report - Laurel House

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