PEACE MATTERS Volume 3 • Issue 1 • Spring 2018
OUR MISSION
Dear Friends: Next year will be the Center’s 15th anniversary of providing partner abuse intervention services as an independent nonprofit organization. As we prepare to reach this milestone, we can’t help but reflect on the thousands of clients who have come through our doors – often mandated by the courts or child welfare agencies – whose lives have been positively impacted. Not only have they taken transformative steps to stop their abuse and learn the skills for building healthier relationships with intimate partners but they have also strengthened their families by forging closer bonds and becoming better role models for their children. The inspirational stories of these men and women are what make our work so meaningful and motivate our continued efforts to expand the reach of our programs.
“The Center helps people who abuse to stop their domestic violence, take responsibility for their behavior, create healthy relationships, and strengthen their community.”
There has perhaps never been a more powerful moment to be pursuing our mission to rehabilitate those who have abused an intimate partner. According to the recent Social IMPACT Research Center report, Connecting to Safety & Stability: Domestic Violence Needs Assessment of Chicago, the Chicago Police Department responded to 46,301 reported incidents of domestic violence in 2016 alone, with rates especially high in the south- and west-side neighborhoods we serve. Awareness about the connection between domestic abuse and gun violence in our communities is also growing. And, movements like #MeToo are spurring increased public discussion about the need to create more safety and support for survivors by holding perpetrators accountable. Given our expertise as the only Chicago nonprofit organization solely dedicated to this cause and our longstanding collaboration with the victim services community, the Center is uniquely positioned to help find solutions to these challenges. However, we know that this will require an even greater commitment to developing innovative program approaches and cross-sector partnerships such as those you’ll read about in this issue of PeaceMatters. While achieving our vision of safe homes and communities may seem like a monumental task, the dedication of our clients, staff, board, and donors reminds us every day what is possible if we tackle it together. So, we hope we can count on your continued support and involvement as we embark on this exciting new chapter in our work to stop domestic violence where it starts. Sincerely,
IN THIS ISSUE •C ENTER TEAMS UP WITH NEIGHBORHOOD BARBERS TO PROMOTE SAFE COMMUNITIES •A LL ABOARD: CENTER’S ASSOCIATE BOARD BRINGS NEW ENERGY TO AGENCY’S MISSION • I N THEIR OWN WORDS
Christine Call Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
Alondra Montes Co-Executive Director
•A ROUND THE CENTER
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2018
Center Teams Up with Neighborhood Barbers to Promote Safe Homes and Communities Building strong relationships with the organizations and businesses in the communities we serve has always been a big part of the Center’s work to prevent domestic violence. So, we’re especially excited to be teaming up with barbers on the South Side of Chicago to raise awareness about intimate partner abuse and its connection to other forms of community violence. Since launching our Neighborhood Barbers for Peace initiative in 2017 with a seed grant from the Chicago Fund for Safe & Peaceful Communities (which is generously supporting the project again this summer), more than 20 licensed barbers, shop owners, barber college faculty and students have signed on as charter members. Along with participating in training sessions on the dynamics of intimate partner violence, including its effect on children and families, they’ve organized in-shop film screenings and discussions as well as hosted back-to-school and free haircut events with educational DV 101 presentations for customers. Together, these programs and outreach activities addressing intimate partner violence have engaged over 200 community residents in conversation, a number we hope to double this summer. Activities will officially kick off on June 24th at the 2018 Brotherhood of Barbers’ event at Ogden Park in Englewood where the Center will have a tent with refreshments and information about services to help survivors and perpetrators of abuse. Members of Neighborhood Barbers for Peace will also be on hand to promote a contest the group is planning to spark discussion about intimate partner violence while introducing youth to career opportunities in the growing barbering profession. Using
their choice of art form, contest applicants will be asked to draw on their personal experience to tell a story about what it means to have a peaceful home and share their vision for how this can help make their communities safer. A selection of finalists will be invited to present their entries at a culminating event where we will also announce the grand prize winner who will receive a kit of barber’s tools as well as a credit toward barber college tuition all valued at $2,500.
Center board and staff honor Sunni Powell, Powell’s Barbershop; Pam Daurham, Mz. Pam’s Salon 64; Bernadine Rideau, McCoy’s Barber-Styling College; and Steve Brown, Chazap Barber College at our 2018 Purple Dove Gala.
Another major goal this summer will be to expand the network of barbers involved in the project, with a focus on engaging those whose businesses are located in south-side neighborhoods with high rates of both domestic and gun-related violence. And, we will also provide additional training and support to current members so they can play an even greater role in educating the community about the importance of building healthier relationships. Many of the barbers who have participated thus far have shared what a powerful impact the project has had on them personally and professionally, and we are truly grateful to have these dedicated industry leaders as our newest allies in the movement to create safe homes and communities. For the latest buzz on Neighborhood Barbers for Peace, be sure to follow us on social media where we’ll be posting updates and photos throughout the summer.
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2018
All Aboard: Center’s Associate Board Brings New Energy to Agency’s Mission When Co-Executive Director Alondra Montes set out to recruit members for the Center’s new Associate Board, it didn’t take long to find eleven young professionals (including several former graduate student interns) eager to lend their time, networks and resources to help move the agency’s mission forward. Following an initial kickoff meeting, the new Associate Board immediately got to work organizing its first community builder - a Day of the Dead celebration to raise awareness and funds for the Center’s partner abuse intervention programs. The event, which was held in October 2017 to coincide with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, drew a crowd of nearly fifty individuals who came out to Output Lounge to learn more about our violence prevention efforts. Modeled after similar Day of the Dead gatherings the Center has hosted to honor this cultural tradition of remembering loved ones, especially those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence, the celebration featured altars filled with ritual objects or “ofrendas” such as candles, photographs, and special holiday foods. Attendees also had an opportunity to add their artistic flair to the evening with face painting and a chance to decorate a sugar skull symbolic of the holiday.
After achieving their goal of raising over $2,000 to support the Center’s Spanish language services, the Associate Board turned their attention to preparations for our Purple Dove Gala held in February each year. In addition to the four members who stepped up to serve on the gala committee, the group played a pivotal role in the success of the signature fundraising event, from serving as hosts at the welcome table and soliciting raffle items to bringing their insatiable energy to the dance floor. Along with the amazing work they’ve done thus far in spreading the word about the Center, the Associate Board is also helping to grow the next generation of leaders for the organization. These rising stars are destined to make a difference in the movement to end domestic violence and are already busy planning their next fundraiser at Lagunitas Brewing Co. on July 31st. You won’t want to miss it, so save the date and keep an eye out for more details.
In Their Own Words Through those who have successfully completed our Beliefs & Skills partner abuse intervention program, we are hearing about the positive ripple effect this has had not only in terms of building healthier relationships with intimate partners but also with their children and other family members. These powerful exit interview testimonials illustrate this impact: “Everybody around me has noticed a change since being in the program and it feels good to have them see that I am different.” “Where I used to go off on people, now I let it go. With my children, I am more calm and way more positive.”
Our Day of the Dead fundraiser was a huge success thanks to Associate Board members Lesley Balamut, Emily Goodburn, Daniela Santisteban, Torrance Freeman (front, left to right), Michael Martinez, Adalee Grace, Marcela Montes, Rachael Lake, Melissa Montes De Oca, and Felicia Acosta (back, left to right) pictured with Center Co-Executive Director, Alondra Montes (front, second to left).
“My daughter says I used to be mean, but I’ve changed.” “My baby’s grandmother said I am so proud of you.”
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES
CENTER FOR ADVANCING DOMESTIC PEACE | PEACE MATTERS | SPRING 2018
Around the Center
Stay in Touch
FY18 has been a pivotal year for advancing the Center’s mission and building the capacity to sustain and grow our partner abuse intervention work in the future. As we look back on all we’ve accomplished, here are some of the highlights:
Give us a call, connect with us on social media, or visit our web site for more information about our services and programs.
The Healthy Communities Foundation, Alphawood Fund at the Chicago Foundation for Women, and Nordstrom joined our roster of philanthropic supporters (see our website for a complete list). The Cook County Justice Advisory Council also awarded a $40,000 grant for our Real Men Advancing Peace (RealMAP)/Sisters Peace Circle (SPC) aftercare services. We welcomed three new dynamic members to our governing Board of Directors including: Lisa Hendrickson, Rachael Lake who was previously a founding member of our Associate Board, and Tiffany Hightower. Long-time member, Kate Shank, is also providing leadership as our new board chair. Another awesome group of student interns made countless contributions to our programs while preparing for careers in social work and community counseling including: Lesley Balamut (Dominican University Graduate School of Social Work); Anne Flaherty, Joshua Martinez, and Derek O’Neal (UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work); Sydney Rinehart (UIC Department of Applied Psychology); and, Coreen Wintering (DePaul University). Center Programs Director Mike Feinerman served on the advisory group for the Social IMPACT Research Center study Connecting to Safety & Stability: Domestic Violence Needs Assessment of Chicago which is providing a blueprint for strengthening the coordinated community response to domestic violence in Chicago. Thanks to a capacity-building initiative for Chicago Foundation for Women grantees, Center Co-Executive Directors Christine Call and Alondra Montes participated in a six-week Public Narrative media training, an invaluable resource in learning to effectively communicate our story and impact. Alondra was also selected as one of 15 semi-finalists in the SVP Chicago 2018 Fast Pitch competition. In other news... Christine was featured in VoyageChicago Magazine, Alondra was a guest on WLUW Live From the Heartland, and Mike along with RealMAP Program Coordinator Terri Pope appeared on the WXRT public affairs show with Terri Hemmert.
Center for Advancing Domestic Peace 813 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60612 (312) 265-0206
Visit us on the web www.advancingdomesticpeace.org
Facebook.com/ CADPChicago
@CADPinc
CALLING ALL HALF-MARATHON AND 5K RUNNERS! Join our team today by emailing info@advancingdomesticpeace.org
Help Make History by Joining Our
15th Anniversary Committee
Next year promises to be an extra special one in the history of the Center. It will be our 15th anniversary of providing partner abuse intervention services as an independent nonprofit organization, and we will be hosting our 5th annual Purple Dove Gala. You can be part of making 2019 a year to remember by joining our 15th Anniversary Committee. For more information, contact Christine Call at ccall@advancingdomesticpeace.org or 312-265-0206.
SAFE HOMES, SAFE COMMUNITIES