Jan 23, 2020 When I Became Free

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Page 8 When I Became Free January 23, 2020 Keeping Awareness Going How YOU Can Help! BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD WHENIBECAMEFREE@GMAIL.COM If you're a regular reader then you know we've been working hard at giving a voice to issues and raising awareness around the plight of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. In October of 2019 we started publishing a digital weekly newspaper to help promote awareness, address issues, and remind survivors that they are not alone. All of this is being done by volunteers - volunteers who write for the paper, volunteers who put the content together and publish it. At first we thought we could support the project with subscriptions - at least we gave it a go. That decision never sat right with me even though I am the one who made it. We did get some subscribers, which we are incredibly thankful and grateful for, however the goal of this project is "no barriers" toward safety and healing for survivors. I re-evaluated the decision, contacted the subscribers we did have, and announced we would consider subscriptions as sponsorships so that we could make free the paper for all. Since the paper started we have now published 13 issues. The weeks of Christmas and New Year's we took off and mainly because I was sick. I am unable to write as much as I once did so instead I do the pagination and some editing of the paper but I do write when I can. I wear the editor/publisher's hat. I rely on the talented and vocal survivors we have writing for us, Mechelle, Kelli and Savannah - at times others have submitted pieces. Then of course and unfortunately, there are always press releases and news about tragedies that take place any given week, including lives lost to domestic violence and child abuse. I must tell you, I long for the time when I am unable to find those tragic stories. There's the backstory to the weekly news, as for the When I Became Free project itself, like life it has had some twist and turns since coming to be - but, the goal remains the same, bringing awareness to issues and survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Now... This is where YOU can help... If you have a story you would like to share, or give your voice a platform, please email us at whenibecamefree@gmail.com. Same is true if you belong to an organization and you have news to share. Share the paper with others. Give a like to our Facebook page! And, if you feel so moved think about sponsoring our efforts. Follow this link and help us grow! There are three levels of sponsorship: $25, $50, and $100. If you have a difficult time with the dropdown menu on the site just zip off an email to us at whenibecamefree@gmail.com.If you've missed any of our issues, also be sure to check them out! Remember...pass them on! Thank you for paying attention! Prevent Child Abuse America Announces Seven Newly Re-chartered Chapters in 2019, 15 More Slated in 2020 Chicago—Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced today that its chapters in seven states—Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Virginia—successfully completed the organization’s strength-based chartering process in 2019. Fifteen more chapters—in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Washington, D.C.—are preparing for site visits in 2020, helping to extend the organization’s mission throughout the United States. “Prevention happens in partnership, and our robust nationwide chapter network resides at the core of the work we do to ensure that all children and families thrive,” explained PCA America President & CEO Dr. Melissa Merrick. “We’re fortunate to have skilled and dedicated leadership and staff in all of these states, and the numerous local partners they collaborate with, which enables us to both extend our primary prevention efforts broadly and tailor them to meet the specific needs of diverse communities across the country.” During this process, formally called Building Capacity Chartering, PCA America chapters undergo an in-depth selfassessment, combined with on-site interviews and discussions with board members, partners, funders, legislators and others, to evaluate criteria such as the demonstration of a strong mission and consistent brand identity, documentation of sound operational infrastructure and financial resources and evidence of leadership in the statewide scope of influence and activity in child abuse and neglect prevention. “The comprehensive but focused framework established by these criteria help ensure consistency across the network, as well as define the chapter’s areas of expertise and capacity to focus on and address the needs of its core audiences,” stated PCA America Director of Chapter Services Anita Odom. “The Rhode Island chapter’s Healing Mothers and Babies program, for instance, was developed specifically in response to the adverse impact of the opioid crisis in the state.” PCA America chapters range from independent nonprofit organizations to entities operating under umbrella institutions such as government agencies, hospitals and universities. For example, the Delaware chapter is registered as a stand-alone 501 (c)(3), while the Idaho chapter operates in conjunction with the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, in Boise. Regardless of their makeup, chapter programs are frequently developed and delivered in tandem with a variety of public and private partners: A provisional chapter for two years, Prevent Child Abuse Connecticut obtained chartered status in 2019 and operates under the umbrella of the Connecticut Children’s Alliance, working closely with the state’s Office of Early Childhood, spearheading child sexual abuse and abusive head trauma prevention efforts and safe sleep initiatives. Established in 1978, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware is the lead administrator of community-based child abuse prevention (CBCAP) grants in the state and partners closely with both public entities and philanthropic institutions, including the Beau Biden and Rodel foundations, to provide extensive training and home visiting and safe sleep programs. Prevent Child Abuse Idaho partners strategically with community-serving agencies, including faith-based organizations, hospitals, the Commission of State Libraries, the Idaho Association of Young Children, the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other early childhood advocates, to deliver a comprehensive system of child abuse prevention programming. A leader, convener and coordinator of statewide prevention efforts, Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey works with public entities and community-based organizations, including the Department of Human Services and the Child Wellness Institute of New Jersey, respectively, to address issues such as infant safe sleep, child sexual abuse, abusive head trauma, human trafficking and adverse childhood experiences. The chapter is also the state lead of Healthy Families America, PCA America’s evidence-based home visiting model. Through a wide variety of initiatives—Circle of Parents, Incredible Years, Strengthening Families, Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) and involvement in the implementation of the CDC’s Essentials for Childhood framework—Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina delivers wraparound prevention services in conjunction with public and private entities such as the state’s Division of Social Services, Division of Public Health, the Duke Endowment and the NC Institute of Medicine. Hosted under the Family Support Network of Rhode Island, a parent-led nonprofit organization, Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island had its first chartering experience in July, 2019, which lifted its provisional status. Three centers throughout the state deliver programs such as Healing Mothers and Babies and the Rhode Island Fatherhood Initiative, as well as supports for pregnant and parenting families with substance-exposed newborns. Two years ago, Prevent Child Abuse Virginia merged with CHIP (Virginia’s home visiting program) to become Families Forward Virginia, which in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services and Family and Children’s Trust, among other entities, implements child sexual abuse prevention strategies, such as Darkness to Light, manages the state’s home visiting consortium, is the state lead of Healthy Families America and provides training and technical assistance to all home visiting programs in the state. “Affiliation with PCA America provides access to a broad network of aligned institutions, which not only helps to amplify the impact of the work widely but also engenders the sharing of information and expertise,” continued Odom. “This is how we provide the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments that help children succeed and families and communities across the country thrive.” About Prevent Child Abuse America Founded in 1972, Prevent Child Abuse America is a national organization with chapters in 48 states and nearly 600 Healthy Families America home visitation sites throughout the country. It promotes services that improve child wellbeing and develops programs that help to prevent all types of abuse and neglect. Ninety-four cents of every dollar spent goes directly into programs and services, which is why it is rated as one of the top charities for children by Consumer Reports and charity oversight organizations, including Charity Navigator, GreatNonprofits and GuideStar.
January 23, 2020 WHEN I BECAME FREE Page 9 MLB & MLBPA commit $3 million to nonprofits focused on positive mental health, relationship skills and support for domestic violence survivors The “Healthy Relationships Community Grant” Will Fund Organizations Providing Critical Services to Vulnerable Populations and Those Affected by Domestic Violence Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) today announced a $3 million commitment to the “Healthy Relationships Community Grant,” a joint initiative to provide funding in 2020 and 2021 to organizations that advocate for positive relationship practices through critical services for vulnerable populations and those affected by domestic violence, including relationship management skills for the next generation, programs focused on mental health resiliency among vulnerable populations, and critical career & personal services to survivors of domestic violence. U.S.-based nonprofit and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can apply for localized support at MLB.com/HealthyRelationships and MLBPLAYERS.com/HealthyRelationships throughout the year, with proposals reviewed on a quarterly grant cycle. Nonprofits and NGOs may apply for grants of up to $50,000 for general operating or programmatic funding for one or more of the following categories: Healthy Relationship Practices/Education, Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence, and/or Mental Health Resiliency. Grant applications will be evaluated quarterly based on assessment of the population served, organization strength, impact, partnerships, sustainability of the programs, and more. Additionally, MLB Club charities and Major League Players are encouraged to apply for up to $25,000 as part of a gift matching component of the initiative, with grant evaluations based on documentation of direct funding and commitment to the issue. “This program will support deserving organizations working to build and improve the mental health resiliency and relationship skills of those they serve, with a particular focus on youth, and to provide critical services to help domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives,” said Melanie LeGrande, Vice President of Social Responsibility, Major League Baseball. “This effort reflects Baseball’s desire to invest in strategies that can help change the statistics and norms around domestic violence as well as support those who need help and assistance today.” “Our players are committed to supporting and promoting healthy relationships,” said Leonor Colón, the MLBPA’s Senior Director of International and Domestic Player Operations. “This initiative will allow us to support organizations that raise awareness of domestic violence, assist survivors and promote mental wellness.” Empowering the next generation to understand the components of a healthy relationship is intended as a prevention strategy through this initiative. Organizational efforts supported by grant funding may include public education, with a preference for youth populations, on the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships as it relates to interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner, family or teen dating). Examples of education efforts include creating, producing & distributing public service announcements with relevant content and call to action as well as conferences or events focusing on awareness. Funding can also go toward supporting existing, or introducing new, programming on how to break the cycle of violence. Efforts toward building and improving mental health resiliency for vulnerable populations may include providing greater access to (a) quality mental health services and wellness programs; (b) preventative programs designed to reduce suicide, suicidal ideations and self-harm; (c) training programs for mental health professionals; or (d) school or community-based interventions. Strengthening and providing services to survivors of domestic violence is of critical importance to this grant initiative. Efforts may include (a) capacity building in support of the organizational mission of the nonprofit or NGO; (b) mental health support; (c) professional and life skills workshops as well as additional education and materials to improve employee readiness and workplace development; or (d) advocacy efforts to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The joint donation for the “Healthy Relationships Community Grant” represents an ongoing commitment by MLB and the MLBPA to provide support to causes that assist vulnerable populations, which has historically included financial assistance toward disaster relief and recovery as well as human trafficking prevention.
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