Defining A Difference – Thank you to Thomas County Attorney and her Team! The Thomas County Attorney’s Office co-hosted Defining a Difference, a jazz themed gala to benefit Jana’s Campaign, on March 23, 2019, at the City Limits Convention Center in Colby, KS. The goal of this annual event is to raise awareness of gender and relationship violence and to raise funds for prevention efforts across the state of Kansas. Rachel Lamm, Thomas County Attorney, and her team are dedicated to supporting Jana’s Campaign and our efforts to educate communities about the dangers of unhealthy relationships. The event successfully raised nearly $13,500! We are grateful for the continued support from the Thomas County Attorney’s Office, the residents of Colby, and their willingness to be the defining difference in others’ lives.
Secondary Education Continued Support from Hays High School Since the inception of Jana’s Campaign, Hays High School (KS) has continuously partnered with Jana’s Campaign in implementing teen dating violence prevention programs. Many years ago, it started with presentations to Health classes regarding healthy – and – unhealthy relationships. This began many, many conversations about teen dating violence across multiple academic subjects and co-curricular activities. Hays High School has implemented several of our programs including the Safe Dates curriculum, Bystander Intervention Trainings, Coaching Boys Into Men, “In the Name of Love” art exhibits, Athletes as Leaders, Youth Advisory Council, Gender-Specific presentations, and general teen dating violence educational presentations. We believe in a comprehensive approach to preventing gender and relationship violence and Hays High utilizes this model to its capacity. We cannot thank Principal Marty Straub and staff enough for allowing us to have these difficult, but much needed conversations with students about preventing teen dating violence. Teen Gender Violence Prevention Education 2013-2019
Continued Work in Secondary Education Schools Across the Midwest Our work within middle and high schools continues to grow within the states of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. In this academic school year, a total of 12,179 students were directly impacted by our comprehensive prevention programming across these three states. Through education and the #PowerOfPrevention, we believe we can change behaviors, customs, interactions, relations and social norms. We can ultimately reduce the instances of gender and relationship violence by empowering students to engage in healthy and supportive relationships and to create a strong culture of respect. Using our comprehensive model, we offer schools a tailor-made, multi-level prevention program that will meet the specific needs of each school.
Social Emotional Learning and Leadership Development with the #PowerOfPrevention We are further expanding leadership development strategies into our violence prevention education programs. We believe the linkage with leadership is what creates strong and empowered students who will stand up for their peers being bullied or harassed. The skills taught in our programming enhances Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development skills which schools in Kansas, Nebraska, and beyond are currently working towards. We recently adopted the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP Strategies) Program. MVP, a peer leadership model developed by Dr. Jackson Katz, targets not only the potential perpetrators of violence and associated behaviors, but the role of the “bystander” to these behaviors. This bystander intervention model seeks to empower those who might otherwise be silent observers to situations in which bullying and gender violence may occur. We are currently booking meetings and school presentations for the upcoming school year and would love to work with your local school!
Volunteers Host Awareness Events and Fundraisers in Wichita, KS A number of awareness and fundraising events took place in Wichita, KS, this February, for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. These events included: February 18: MakeICT, a local makerspace in Wichita, invited local teens to bring in their art to help spread awareness about teen dating violence. They helped convert their images to digital art in preparation as part of February's Final Friday Art Exhibit at The Workroom on February 22. February 21: Hopping Gnome Brewery – donated 20% off firkin sales on Thirkin Thursday to Jana’s Campaign. A small cask of beer specially brewed for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month was tapped by Christie Brungardt, Jana’s mom. February 22: The #PowerOfPrevention art exhibit at The Workroom showcased various talented student artists from several different schools to bring awareness about teen dating violence. They created amazing art! The ICT venue was amazing at The Workroom, who donated 10% of all sales to Jana’s Campaign.
Higher Education New Higher Education Campus Safety Summit Partnership Jana’s Campaign is excited to announce a new partnership with the University of Denver (DU) in Denver, CO. The university has several initiatives that align with Jana’s Campaign. These initiatives include the Gender and Violence Prevention and Education Initiative, which provides their community with active bystander training, community education, and prevention outreach on topics including sexual assault, dating and relationship abuse, sexual harassment and stalking. As a central location of the Rocky Mountain Region, we have moved the Rocky Mountain Campus Safety Summit to the DU campus! There is still time to join us this year, to register visit www.janascampaign.org/rocky-mountain-campus-safety-summit.html
Bringing Bystander Intervention to Higher Education Institutions Tulsa Community College (TCC) and Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) in Tulsa, Oklahoma invited Jana’s Campaign to bring Bystander Intervention Training to their students, personnel, and coordinated community response team. This training was customized according to the local priorities of TCC with an overall focus on the role institutional leaders have in the prevention of gender violence, and other forms of bullying, abuse and harassment. Utilizing the MVP Strategies model, Jana’s Campaign staff discussed the issues of gender and relationship violence and how to use leadership strategies to step in to be active bystanders. Various bystander intervention methods were illustrated throughout the trainings.
Campus Safety Summit Success The Jana’s Campaign Campus Safety Summit, held in conjunction with Conference on Crimes Against Women, took place April 8-9, 2019, at the Sheraton Hotel, in Dallas, Texas. College and university administrators, faculty, staff, advocates, Title IX officers, Campus Security and Police, and students interested in improving their campus efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking were invited to the conference, among others. Anne Munch, an attorney with 29 years of experience as a former prosecutor and advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, presented as a keynote speaker, as well as Drs. Curt and Christie Brungardt, who shared their personal story of turning tragedy to triumph. Registered attendees represented 18 states. Jana’s Campaign is eager to host our three other regional Campus Safety Summits this year. To learn more about the upcoming Summits, please visit our website at www.janascampaign.org/higher-education.html
Community Education “Cracking the Code” to Understand Motive; A Community Training Jana’s Campaign partnered with Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services to host “Cracking the Code,” a free training opportunity for law enforcement, mental health practitioners, social workers, judges, batterer’s intervention program directors, and other criminal justice professionals. The workshop provided practical information that unlocks the mystery of domestic violence and to enhance responses. Participants were taught how those who batter have different motives that produce different behavioral responses, creating different dangers under different circumstances. Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW Director of Victim Services at the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, and Director of Programs, Michelle McCormick, LMSW of the Center for Safety and Empowerment in Topeka, KS and Vice President of the Jana’s Campaign Board of Directors led the training. Thanks to the generous sponsors, Thomas County Attorney’s Office and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, participants attended the training free of charge. If you are interested in attending a “Cracking the Code” training, please join Jana’s Campaign and BrightHouse in Hutchinson, KS on July 15, 2019. Call 785-656-0324 to register.
Discrediting Rape Culture Myths with Community Awareness Event Jana’s Campaign, Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, and the Fort Hays State University Women's Leadership Project hosted the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, in April. The exhibit featured stories of sexual violence and representations of what each victim wore at the time of their assault. This project was created in 2013 by Jen Brockman, the director of KU’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Center, and Dr. Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert of the University of Arkansas, in hopes to discredit our culture’s pervasive rape myths. This powerful art installation asks viewers to understand that sexual assault is never about the clothing the survivor wore.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Trainings Available Jana’s Campaign partnered with Nex-Tech, a technology and network organization, for two, three-hour supervisor trainings on the topics of Domestic Violence 101 and Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace. These trainings included a foundational knowledge of domestic violence, clear strategies for supervisors to implement to support their employees, and what employers should do to protect the entire workplace. One supervisor expressed, “We have trainings for shooters, fires, and tornados, but the likelihood of those occurring is far less than having a co-worker or employee who is a victim of domestic violence.” Jana’s Campaign will work to create an individualized training plan that best fits the needs of your organization. To learn more about this opportunity and to schedule a training, call 785-656-0324.
Internal News and Fundraising Efforts Growth for the Board of Directors Jana’s Campaign welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors, Mellisa Holtzman and Sherri Kendall. Mellisa is a Professor of Sociology at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Mellisa co-created a sexual assault protection program called Elemental. This program combines primary prevention education on assault, consent, party culture, and party safety with physical and verbal risk reduction training. Sherri Kendall is the current CEO of AVDA, Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, in Houston, TX. Sherri has over 30 years of professional experience in the domestic violence field and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She serves on various statewide task forces in Texas including the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, the Public Policy Committee of Texas Council on Family Violence, and the Fort Bend Crime Victims Response Team. Mellisa and Sherri both bring a vast array of experiences and talents that will enhance Jana’s Campaign.
Save the Date for an Enchanted Night in Paris! Join Jana’s Campaign on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 6:00 PM, at the Rose Garden Steakhaus in Hays, KS, for the 8th annual Empty Place at the Table gala fundraising event. This community event brings together Jana’s Campaign supporters to eat, drink, dance and make a difference. Mark your calendars. You won’t want to miss out on an enchanted night in Paris! Learn more about the event at www.JanasCampaign.org/annual-empty-place-at-the-table-gala. Registration opens in July.
Jana’s Campaign Adds New Staff Member This spring brought many changes to the Jana’s Campaign office. Sandra Bainter retired after nearly 6 years in her position as the Office and Financial Manager in February 2019. MaLaura Deeter was hired to fill that role. MaLaura brings a variety of professional and personal experiences to Jana’s Campaign. She has experience in both the non-profit and corporate settings with a focus on analysis and planning. During her time in Topeka, KS, she volunteered in the community with attention to youth and on-grade achievement. In addition, she has a BA in Psychology and a MS in Management from Baker University. Her real passion is connecting with people and working with others to make a difference. We are thrilled to have MaLaura join us at Jana’s Campaign!
Jana’s Campaign Co-Founders Retire from Fort Hays State University Drs. Curt and Christie Brungardt, Co-Founders of Jana’s Campaign retired from Fort Hays State University this May! Between the two, they share over 51 years of experience in higher education, where they have been active in the fields of leadership development and civic engagement. Through their dedication and leadership in action, they have changed many lives. Those lives have in turn changed communities, our country, and the world. Christie and Curt will still be very active at the strategic level and in their roles as volunteer educators at Jana’s Campaign. We are so grateful for their leadership and dedication to ending gender and relationship violence.
Full-Time Summer Intern Selected Through a generous gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Fort Hays State University (FHSU), Jana’s Campaign secured a full-time intern for the 2019 summer semester. Brooklynn Bracelin, FHSU student from Wray, CO, was selected to fill this position through an application and interview process. Brooklynn is currently a student coordinator in the Women’s Leadership Project (WLP) at FHSU. The WLP is an initiative designed to educate, inspire, and empower women to be leaders of tomorrow. Brooklynn’s active leadership on campus and passion to end gender and relationship violence will add great value to Jana’s Campaign. Thank you to Fort Hays State University and the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for providing us with this opportunity.
Local Soroptimist Chapter Surprises Jana’s Campaign with Donation The Hays, KS chapter of Soroptimist and Jana’s Campaign collaborate together for many educational opportunities. Soroptimist is an international women’s empowerment organization. Their mission is to improve the lives of women and girls leading to social and economic empowerment. Jana’s Campaign staff were invited to speak about the prevention work we are doing across the nation in April. After that presentation, a chapter member presented a $500 donation to Jana’s Campaign. We appreciate Soroptimist’s work empowering women around the world and for their continued support.
Upcoming Events: Rocky Mountain Campus Safety Summit - June 19 – 20 - University of Denver, Denver, CO Jana’s Campaign Staff Retreat - June 26 – 27 - Council Grove, KS “Cracking the Code” Community Training - July 15 - Hutchinson, KS Midwest Campus Safety Summit - September 18 - 19 - Ball State University, Muncie, IN Empty Place at the Table: A Night in Paris – November 2 – Rose Garden SteakHaus, Hays, KS Heartland Campus Safety Summit - November 13 – 14 - Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS Stay connected with Jana’s Campaign online or call our National Headquarters at (785) 656-0324.
Jana’s Campaign staff and board members are available to provide gender and relationship violence prevention education in your school, organization or community. Our team provides engaging and impactful presentations appropriate for all age groups. To inquire about scheduling a Jana’s Campaign speaker, please call (785) 656-0324.