2018 Winter Newsletter
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Remaining steadfast in our commitment Many of us reflect on the past year as it comes to a close, and we at Artemis Center are no different. Looking back at all we have accomplished in 2018, I continue to be immensely proud of our team’s success in helping survivors and their children increase their safety. In the past, I have shared that my vision for our future is to provide services in a broader array of community locations that are unknown to, and safe from, abusers in order to give survivors more opportunities to reach out for help safely. If we are to increase victim safety, we have to increase our accessibility by expanding to additional community sites, collaboratively with and co-located at other agencies. We recently learned that we have been awarded a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) that will allow us to serve University of Dayton (UD) students, faculty and staff who experience domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault within the context of domestic violence. Artemis advocates will work on campus to provide victims with emotional support, safety planning, crisis intervention, lethality assessments, legal process information, court accompaniment, legal assistance links and referrals, education, access to Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program, and Protection Order assistance. The advocates will also serve as the victim liaison to law enforcement, prosecutors, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division, and UD’s Title IX Office, as well as providing referrals to shelter and community resources. This new partnership will play a role in reducing victims’ barriers to safety and provide some victims with a sense of security and comfort on campus.
We have also been awarded a Wright-Patt Credit Union Sunshine Grant, which will allow Artemis to provide a confidential advocate at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) and on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) to serve individuals who experience intimate partner violence. We are collaborating with the staff from the Dayton VAMC Social Work Service, as well as the Family Advocacy Program and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office on base. This funding will allow our staff to receive in-depth training regarding policies and procedures on base and at the VAMC. It is our hope that, with this collaboration, we will be able to tailor services to best meet the needs of military affiliated survivors. Finally, we recently started a gender inclusive support group at Equitas Health for the LGBTQ community. This support group is the first of its kind for Artemis and our community. As a safety measure, we meet with individuals prior to their first group to ensure confidentiality and create a safe space for individuals who identify as LGBTQ. As we move into 2019, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing excellent services to our clients. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with many incredible community partners to ensure we are all working together to increase safety for survivors and their children. I wish you all safe and happy holidays. Sincerely, Jane Keiffer, MSW, LISW-S Artemis Center Executive Director
Q&A WITH AN ARTEMIS ADVOCATE
OUR 24/7 HOTLINE Ever since our crisis hotline transitioned to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our clients have had continuous access to our services right at the very moment they need us. We often receive questions about our hotline and services through community engagement, our social media accounts, and callers. Below are a few of our frequently asked questions. If you have questions about our hotline or any of our services or programs, you can call our Artemis advocates any time at 937-461-HELP!
937-461-4357
Q: What is Artemis Center’s
Q: How many phone calls are
24/7 crisis hotline?
received through the hotline?
A: Prior to Artemis Center’s
A: So far in 2018, Artemis
launch of our 24/7 hotline (937-
advocates have answered over
461-HELP) in July 2017, our staff
3,600 calls. Just last month,
could only be reached during
advocates answered 359 hotline
weekday office hours from
calls. Of those 359 calls, 86 were
8:00am-8:00pm. Now, our
received after business hours
hotline continues to operate
and on the weekend.
morning, afternoon, and night, as This means we can deliver
Q: What is a typical crisis call
seamless advocacy support any
like?
time to those seeking help.
A: In the simplest answer, every hotline call is different. We receive calls from courageous
Q: What services can Artemis
survivors who have just endured
Center provide on the hotline?
an assault from their batterer and
A: Our hotline provides crisis
want to process their next steps.
intervention, domestic violence
We answer calls from brave
education, information about
victims who are smothered by
filing for protection orders and
the emotional abuse and control
what to expect from a criminal
from their partner and just need
court proceeding, and more. Our
someone to listen. We also take
team can schedule walk-ins and
calls from concerned loved ones
one-on-one appointments with
who want to learn how they can
an advocate, make referrals to
help a friend or family member
our adult and child therapy
through these dark times.
programs, and share information
Although every call is different,
about joining a support group.
every call is important to us.
Most importantly, the safety of
You’re not alone and we’re here
every caller is our top priority.
for you!
at creating individualized safety plans and are knowledgeable of community resources to grow your support network.
hotline? A: Our highly trained and caring advocates staff the hotline phones every second of the day. Additionally, we are currently seeking hotline volunteers to work alongside our advocates during nighttime, weekend and holiday shifts.
well as weekends and holidays.
Our hotline advocates are skilled
Q: Who answers the 24/7
Q: How can I get involved with volunteering for the hotline? A: If you or someone you know are committed to being an ally for domestic violence survivors and want to serve as a volunteer on our hotline, send your resume to our Clinical Director, Karen, at karenm@artemiscenter.org . You can also check out the volunteer job description and qualifications on our website at www.artemiscenter.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call our advocates any time at 937-461-HELP.
A LETTER FROM AN ARTEMIS CLIENT
It was so nice bringing [client's daughter] in for therapy today. You guys are like family and we love visiting with you. You are kind, compassionate, understanding, and you normalize our situation in a way that is both refreshing and reassuring...much like the autumn breezes. Sometimes, a listening ear can be incredibly calming. Really helpful! And [client's daughter] said the cutest thing about [an Artemis Center therapist]: "You know mama, she's more like a close friend cause I can finish her sentences". First [an Artemis advocate] gave me a voice and stood beside me, now [an Artemis Center therapist] is helping [client's daughter] to do the same and in fact, is giving me my daughter back. Artemis has been amazing to and for us in more ways that I can count. So thank you to everyone because you all make it possible! With deepest gratitude, [Artemis Client]
WE'RE ONLY $3,000 FROM OUR GOAL!
You can still make a meaningful contribution before 2018 ends!
THANKS TO YOU, AND OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY, THOUSANDS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO INCREASE THEIR SAFETY AND BEGIN HEALING IN 2018.
So far this year, our advocates have answered 3,265 hotline calls and have met with 597 individuals who came to our agency seeking help without an appointment. Many of the survivors were at the very beginning of their journey, wondering, “What comes next?” We need your help to provide life-saving services to these and many more survivors. With your support, we can assist survivors to get safe and rebuild their lives.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Our goal is to raise $15,000 to help survivors and their children who have experienced violence at home. As of December 27th, we only need $3,000 more to achieve this goal! Please remember that many survivors suffer in silence, without telling friends or family. A donation of any amount could help a member of your family, a friend or a neighbor in crisis: We simply can’t do it without you. Your support will make a real and lasting impact on the lives of domestic violence survivors and their children who are still in need.
Visit www.artemiscenter.org to donate TODAY!
Volunteer Spotlight Synchrony
We are thankful for the relationship we have built with Synchrony over the past few years, and our partnership in 2018 was stronger than ever. Since 2015, Synchrony has provided over 3,000 hours of volunteer service to Artemis Center. This includes helping with our events, collaborating on programs, and working in our client assistance pantries. We have had ongoing support - including stocking and organizing our food and toiletry pantries and making sure our children’s pantry is stocked and organized throughout the year as well. In July, the Women’s Network pillar of Synchrony’s Kettering location collected 278 toys for our children’s pantry. These toys are available for clients to give during the year as a special birthday or holiday present, sometimes being the only way they can provide a gift for their child.
In December, Synchrony donated 208 gifts and household items for our annual Building Hope Holiday Program bringing holiday cheer to many of our Artemis Center families.
In April, Synchrony celebrated “Month of Caring” and surprised Artemis staff members with K-Cup coffee pods, donuts and mugs filled with Lifesaver candy. Synchrony also took the time to create “make and take” art kits and snack bags for our youngest clients. Beyond traditional donations and volunteer work, Synchrony has been able to provide additional grant support for educational opportunities, programs and special event sponsorship. We additionally welcomed two Synchrony employees through their Business Leadership Program who worked with our Development department. One of the most natural tie-ins between Artemis and Synchrony is the chance to teach financial education to our clients. This year, we began work on resource material for our clients to have on-hand for walk-ins (unscheduled appointments), as well as our support groups. Synchrony has additionally guest-taught financial classes to our support groups, including subjects like couponing. For all of these accomplishments and more, we are grateful for Synchrony's partnership, and we can't wait to build our collaboration further in 2019!
DONOR SPOTLIGHT RODERER SHOE CENTER
Thank you to Roderer Shoe Center and Yaleet Inc., who partnered together to donate 100 pairs of Naot brand shoes to Artemis Center! These shoes will help give our clients some comfort, and are great for job interviewing or going to court alongside an Artemis advocate. Thank you again for this amazing donation!
Building Hope Holiday Program
Freshly stocked toy pantry thanks to many generous donors!
One of two "Giving Trees" for clients to take winter clothing and toys to-go.
Sorting adopt-a-family donations for our clients and their children.
As we wrap up 2018, Artemis Center would like to thank everyone involved in making this year a huge success! One of our programs that continues to stay strong and serve many families in our community is our Building Hope Holiday Program. The holiday season is often a financial and emotional struggle for our clients. The kindness of all of the generous donors helped allow our families to have a brighter holiday. This year, the Building Hope Holiday Program provided over 75 families, and nearly 200 children with gifts and holiday cheer. This would not have been possible without our community support. On behalf of our clients, their children and the Artemis Center staff, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our donors throughout the year. With your partnership, we will continue to do amazing things in 2019!
THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING 2018!
We couldn't have done it without you!
STAY CONNECTED!
@ArtemisCenterDayton
@artemis_center
@Artemis_Center
310 W. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402 www.artemiscenter.org 24 Hour Hotline: 937-461-HELP (4357) Business Line: 937-461-5091 | Fax: 937-531-5705