PEACE MATTERS Volume 2 • Issue 2 • Spring 2017 Dear Friends, Around this time every year we spring forward, setting our clocks ahead an hour. But, with growing threats to the gains we have made in the movement to end domestic violence, it seems like we are falling backward. The President’s initial budget blueprint calls for massive cuts to federal programs that support survivors as well as legal services essential to ensuring their safety. For those in the immigrant community, fear of deportation is already preventing some from seeking help to escape abuse. Here in Illinois, the situation is equally dire. There has been no funding for domestic violence services since June 2016 due to the ongoing state budget crisis while a new Sinai Urban Health Institute study shows the need is greater than ever with high rates of violence exposure among residents in many Chicago communities.
OUR MISSION “The Center helps people who abuse to stop their domestic violence, take responsibility for their behavior, create healthy relationships, and strengthen their community.”
Just as we are disheartened by these developments, however, we are encouraged by the increasing number of everyday citizens speaking out against the inequities at the root of gender-based violence. Challenging these systems and beliefs is, in fact, what our work at the Center is all about which is why we are also stepping up our efforts. As you’ll read about in this expanded edition of PeaceMatters we are deepening our longstanding collaboration with our victim services partners and forging new alliances – locally and globally – to continue to strengthen the response to domestic violence. We are creating outreach tools that will enable us to educate more community residents about the problem of intimate partner violence and resources for those needing help to end their abuse. And, we are continuing to build our organizational capacity, including expanding our leadership team. On a personal note, I want to extend a warm welcome to our new Co-Executive Director, Alondra Montes, and to say how excited I am to be working side-by-side with her to meet the challenges ahead. We certainly have lots to do and we’ll need more hands on deck than ever. So, please reach out with your ideas and consider new ways you can help move the Center’s mission forward. Sincerely,
IN THIS ISSUE •C OMMUNITY GIVING AT PURPLE DOVE GALA •P OSTER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN •A LL ABOARD • ALONDRA’S REFLECTIONS
Christine Call Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder
• GLOBAL RESPONSE
P.S. Hope to see you at the Center’s Summer Kick Off Fundraiser on June 9th at The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria! See our Facebook page for more details.
• IN THEIR OWN WORDS
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
• AROUND THE CENTER
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
Community Giving Takes Center Stage at 2017 Purple Dove Gala On February 25, 2017, friends and supporters gathered at Chicago’s East Bank Club for the Center’s 3rd annual Purple Dove Gala. And, if there were one phrase to describe the event, it would have to be “a party with a purpose.” The Mardi-Gras themed celebration kicked off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while guests bid on a fabulous Gala emcee Courtney Gousman of WGN-TV thanks guests for supporting the Center’s work to end domestic violence. assortment of silent auction items and got the celebrity treatment with photographs at the red carpet experience backdrop. The night continued with a delectable tapas-style dinner and program hosted by WGN-TV & CLTV Anchor/Reporter Courtney Gousman who gracefully presided over the festivities as the gala’s first-ever emcee. While raising funds to support the Center was the ultimate goal of the evening, it was also an opportunity to spotlight the extraordinary contributions of two community partners who have been instrumental in advancing our mission. Joyce M. Coffee, Executive Director/CEO of Family Rescue, was honored for her dedication to ensuring comprehensive support for survivors through the development of innovative housing and counseling programs for women and children. “I’m so appreciative of the partnership we have had with the Center over the years and the work it does with those who have perpetrated abuse,” said Ms. Coffee who is highly-regarded as a leader in Chicago’s victim services community. “It is really our best hope of achieving our collective desire to eliminate domestic violence.” Columbia College Chicago was also recognized for its commitment to transforming lives through the arts and vital role in developing the Center’s public awareness campaign to educate the community about the problem of intimate partner violence and resources for those seeking help to end their abuse. Columbia’s Communication Department Chair Suzanne McBride noted that, “the hands-on experience provided to our students has been invaluable, helping them develop professionally as well as personally. We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Center and other groups engaged in their communities around the city.”
In addition to the posters on display (see related article), a short audiovisual presentation gave guests the chance to preview the radio PSAs and testimonial videos created by the Columbia College students. Other gala highlights included inspirational remarks by three graduates of the Center’s partner abuse intervention program who are now mentors in the Real Men Advancing Peace (RealMAP) aftercare initiative as well as a special announcement by Center Executive Board Members Kate Shank and Craig Morris on the appointment of Alondra Montes as the agency’s new Co-Executive Director (story continued on page 5).
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
Poster Campaign Aims To Prevent Intimate Partner Violence The Chicago Police Department receives nearly 500 domestic-related calls every day. With staggering statistics like these, it’s clear that intimate partner violence is a problem that needs an even greater community response. And, that’s exactly what the Center hopes to achieve with a public awareness campaign we’ve been developing with the pro-bono assistance of students in Columbia College Chicago’s Agency Class. Along with public service announcements, which have already begun to air on local radio stations, and videos featuring testimonials from men in our RealMAP aftercare program, the latest addition to the campaign “toolkit” is a series of outreach posters recently unveiled at our 2017 Purple Dove Gala (see related article). While advertising has often been used as a strategy for educating the public about domestic violence, these efforts have typically focused on resources for victims and their children. The Center’s campaign is unique in that it seeks to reach those who may have abused an intimate partner. With messages like “Let’s stop the abuse before it happens again,” the posters highlight some of the key warning signs and the services the Center offers to help learn the skills for building healthier relationships. In addition to being a powerful call to action, we also hope the campaign will stimulate conversation about the role that partner abuse intervention can play in creating safer homes and communities. This summer, we will begin distributing English and Spanish language versions of the posters in the south- and west-side Chicago neighborhoods where our programs are currently offered. But, our ultimate goal is to have them displayed on CTA buses and trains as well as in courthouses, libraries, social service organizations, barbershops, and other community gathering places across the city. If you’d like to help, either by making a monetary contribution or securing an in-kind donation to cover printing and ad placement costs, please contact Christine Call at ccall@advancingdomesticpeace.org or 312-265-0206 for more information.
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
All Aboard: Meet Alondra Montes When she heard the Center had an opening for a Co-Executive Director, Alondra Montes knew it was an opportunity she had to pursue. Not only was it the perfect fit given her passion for social justice, but with a strong track record in helping those whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence she knew she could make a difference. The Center’s Board of Directors obviously agreed as Alondra emerged the top candidate in their executive search and was hired effective March 1st. The eldest of three daughters, she was born and raised by her immigrant parents in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. She attended K-8th grade at Budlong Elementary, a Chicago Public School, and then high school at Loyola Academy. Along with her parents who taught her the importance of helping others, Alondra credits the Academy for instilling the value of community service that led to her decision to attend Loyola University Chicago for college. And, it was through her undergraduate studies that she became more aware about issues of gender inequality and took a class on domestic violence that planted the seeds for her future career path.
resources needed to increase their safety and stability. She also coordinated the agency’s crisis line and was responsible for a range of community outreach and administrative activities from organizing guest speakers for educational workshops and training staff on agency procedures to recruiting volunteers and assisting with fundraising events. Alondra was first introduced to partner abuse intervention at Sarah’s Inn and subsequently decided to complete her first field placement in their PAIP as part of her Master’s in Social Work program at the University of St. Francis. In seeing the positive influence it could have on partners and children, Alondra was immediately drawn to the PAIP model. “Not only was I helping to heal victims but also addressing the source of the problem,” she notes. “Intimate partner violence will just keep happening if we only focus on one side. You also have to work with those who perpetrate.” In May 2016, Alondra left her full-time position at Sarah’s Inn to focus more attention on her MSW program and later in the summer she joined the Center’s staff as a part-time group cofacilitator while finishing her graduate studies, which she is set to complete in August. And, the experience she has gained in facilitating the Center’s English and Spanish PAIP groups for men as well as the women’s group will no doubt serve her well in her new leadership role as Co-Executive Director.
After graduating with a BA in Psychology and Women’s Studies, she got a job as a residential counselor at Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH). She recalls that many of the at-risk youth in the program came from home environments where they were exposed to abuse and other forms of violence. While continuing to work at BHGH, she decided to enroll in the 40-hour training program for Illinois domestic violence professionals at LifeSpan and has maintained her ICDVP certification since 2010. A quick glance at her resume further demonstrates her qualification with a long list of other impressive credentials that include serving as Advocacy and Counseling Coordinator at Sarah’s Inn from 2009-2016. In addition to counseling women and children who had experienced domestic violence, Alondra accompanied them to police departments, courts, immigration, and legal aid organizations to ensure they obtained the SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
Alondra’s Reflections On working at the Center… One of my favorite parts about working for the Center is the staff and the diversity of ideas they bring. They also really care about and believe in the clients. And, everyone is doing this because it’s a purpose, not just a living. I don’t feel like I’m just coming to a job, I’m coming here to do something that I love and I’m truly passionate about. I really like that the work is about more than just helping clients complete the mandated PAI program and get their certificate, but also making sure they have the tools and support to stay violence-free. There is a recognition that change takes time and we offer the case management and aftercare services to facilitate this process. I think that’s huge. On her goals as Co-Executive Director… One of the first things I hope to do is build an Associates Board whose goal would be to host events to generate more awareness and get the Center’s name out there. I especially want to find creative ways to get those in the younger generation involved in helping us spread the word through social media and raise more funds to expand our PAI programs.
Continued from page 2 - Community Giving Takes Center Stage at 2017 Purple Dove Gala The evening ended on an especially memorable note when the winner of the grand raffle donated the $1,000 prize back to the Center. It’s this spirit of giving that makes our work possible and we are truly grateful to all who contributed to the success of our 2017 Purple Dove Gala. See our website at advancingdomesticpeace/ purple-dove-gala for a complete list and watch for more soon on how you can help with planning for next year’s event. SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
On the challenges facing the agency… One of the greatest challenges right now is the state budget and shortage of services to holistically address the needs of clients and their families. For example, the list of mental health providers that provide immediate assessment is small and the wait list for counseling is long. So, it’s important that we network with our partners and other community agencies as much as possible to identify resources. On why others should invest in the Center… When I hear a client who is almost finished with the program say that “my children are happy to see me, they are no longer scared of me, and my relationships at home are getting better,” I know that change is not only taking place in the family but also the whole community. Children witness what happens at home and it affects their education. So, when we help parents see these are not the healthiest ways to communicate with others, they pass these tools onto their kids. And, this goes hand in hand if we want to break the cycle of violence. On her hopes for the Center’s future… I would really like to see the Center continue to grow and expand, not only as a leader in providing PAI services but also in being able to collaborate with other agencies in finding solutions to violence in our communities. This is already something we do really well and I’d like to build on that success.
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
Gender-Based Violence Gets Global Response With our day-to-day work rooted in the south- and westside Chicago neighborhoods we serve, it’s not often that the Center has a chance to participate in an international dialogue on ending gender-based violence. So, it was a tremendous honor for us to meet on March 13th with a group of activists, service providers, and elected officials from South and Central Asia who were invited to the U.S. under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
While the nine members of the delegation come from diverse professional backgrounds, they share one important thing in common: all are engaged in efforts to protect and defend survivors of domestic violence as well as the human rights of women and other marginalized groups in their countries of Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Their goal in traveling to the U.S. (many for the first time) was to examine the impact of
gender-based violence on families and communities here as well as social service programs that provide assistance to survivors and treatment for those who abuse. Since their work back home primarily focuses on victim services, the group was especially interested in learning how the Center’s partner abuse intervention programs teach participants about healthy behaviors and provide a support network to facilitate their continued personal growth. After hearing about this and the Center’s history from our leadership team, there was a lively exchange around our respective approaches to addressing the problem of domestic violence including how we respond to perpetrators. For example, South Asian men who have abused may be shamed by having their names displayed in public; whereas, we emphasize accountability and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. There were also several unifying themes that emerged during the discussion including how gender @CADPinc inequality in both South Asia and the U.S. contributes to intimate partner violence. And, even though the societal expectations and cultural views that have led to this inequality may be different, we can begin to change the dynamic by promoting greater respect for women. We’re truly grateful to Rachael Bolte, program coordinator at WorldChicago, for making this visit and eye-opening conversation possible. And, although the meeting itself only lasted about 90 minutes, we hope it was the beginning of a dialogue that will continue for many years to come on how we can build an even stronger global movement to end gender-based violence.
THE CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE
Summer Kick Off Fundraiser Your donation of $10 at the door and The Warehouse Bar and Pizzeria’s donation of 20% of your meal and drinks that day will go to support the Center’s mission. Visit our Facebook page to register for the event. Friday June 9, 2017 | 6pm – 11pm | The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria | 1419 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago IL
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
Around the Center pitched in to give the Centers’ main office a little pre-spring cleaning. From painting the bathroom and hallway baseboards to making poster frames to brighten up the walls in the group room, the mini-makeover has made the space more welcoming for staff and clients alike. And, they even carved out time to create social media posts to promote our 2017 Purple Dove Gala as well as distribute materials at restaurants and music venues while exploring the city on their night out.
When we are not helping our program participants learn the skills for building healthier relationships, one of the most rewarding aspects of the work we do at the Center is educating others about our efforts to end intimate partner violence. This winter, we had the good fortune to host two dynamic groups of students – one from New York University and another from Florida International University – for an “alternative break” week. During their visits students received an introduction to partner abuse intervention, including talking with men in our RealMAP aftercare initiative, and spent a day at domestic violence court, which provided insight into some of the barriers victims face. As part of their service learning experience, students also
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
In other news…Center Programs Director, Mike Feinerman, was quoted in a Crain’s Chicago Business article (“Abrupt cuts hinder Illinois violence shelters,” February 14, 2017) about the devastating impact the ongoing state budget crisis is having on domestic violence service agencies. A story about the launch of our public awareness campaign was also featured in The Columbia Chronicle (“Agency course advocates for domestic peace,” March 16, 2017). And, on a more personal note, we welcomed several new additions to the Center’s team. Congratulations go out to Board Chair Craig Morris on the adoption of his son and our Office Manager Marcell Curry on the recent arrival of his baby girl.
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2017
In Their Own Words
Stay in Touch
Recently, six men who graduated from the Center’s PAI program and are now involved in our RealMAP aftercare initiative participated in a focus group to share more about their experiences. Here’s what some of them had to say…
Give us a call, connect with us on social media, or visit our web site for more information about our services and programs.
Empathy is “knowing that you don’t quite understand how others feel but work toward trying to know.”
Center for Advancing Domestic Peace
“I am more open in my thinking. I am not so quick to pass judgment. I take time to hear it out and work out the conflict. I am not proud of my past but it feels good to move forward and to help others through the program. I’ve learned patience when working with the men and it carries over in my marriage.”
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“Now I understand my emotions and can still be a man. I thought that being a man was to be emotionless but real men express how they feel. This has made me closer to my kids and my ex-wife.”
Visit us on the web www.advancingdomesticpeace.org
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SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES