Survivor to Thriver A CELEBRATION OF RESILIENCE
Dear Friends of DVS, As I write this letter, summer is nearly here and we are grateful that our community and the nation are beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year shined the light on longstanding inequities in our society, including those still faced by women, and especially women of color, who had to leave the workforce in record numbers to care for and homeschool their children. It exacerbated the challenges faced by victims of domestic violence, who were trapped with their abusers and lacked access to the financial and community resources they needed to escape and seek safety. Like so many other organizations, DVS was forced to take a deep breath and reimagine our work and how we deliver our services. Innovations have occurred as a result! Our text hotline is firmly established. Our Community Counseling services are being delivered remotely, which expands our reach. We launched our Economic Empowerment program. We continue to house survivors needing emergency shelter in our Safe House and local hotels, to increase flexibility and safety for staff and participants. This spring, our staff started the process to become certified as a trauma-informed organization. We gained a deeper understanding of how what has happened to survivors impacts their responses to the world and their ability to move forward. We are examining the impact of this work on our staff, and how we may transform vicarious trauma to “vicarious transformation.” This initiative will continue to change the way we support survivors and each other. As we move forward, the fundamental essence of who we are has not changed. We remain committed to eliminating domestic violence in Lancaster County. In the day-to-day, we empower survivors to seek autonomy – to make their own choices about their futures. Thank you for your support. We couldn’t do it without you! Wishing you good health, and continued safety and peace in your homes.
Christine
DVS ANNUAL SPRING CELEBRATION
Survivor to Thriver Program of Events
WELCOME
Vanessa Philbert, CEO, Community Action Partnership (CAP)
AUCTION INFORMATION
Kristy Aurand, Chief Development Officer, CAP
SURVIVOR MOMENT DVS UPDATE
Christine Gilfillan, Director, Domestic Violence Services
CATALYST FOR CHANGE AWARD SURVIVOR MOMENT KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
William Gay, former Pittsburgh Steelers player, and Vanessa Philbert
APPEAL SURVIVOR MOMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF RAFFLE WINNER THANKS & GOODNIGHT
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A Day of Healing August 12, 2021 Join Union Community Care along with your family, friends, and neighbors at Long’s Park at 6 p.m. to reconnect with our community, memorialize loved ones lost to COVID-19, honor our healthcare heroes, and spend time healing together.
unioncommunitycare.org/ dayofhealing
Who We Are
Who We Serve
Founded in 1976 as a program of the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County, Domestic Violence Services (DVS) provides comprehensive services to over 1,500 adult and child victims of domestic violence annually. DVS also provides education, training and community outreach services. DVS is member organization of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV).
DVS serves adults and children from the Lancaster County community who have been impacted by domestic violence or intimate partner violence. We also support and serve adult family members and friends of victims and survivors who want more information about supporting their loved one. During fiscal year 2019/2020 the agency served 1,451 recipients, representing all socio-economic, racial, and ethic groups. (See attached year end service statistics.)
What We Do DVS Services and Programs: • 24-hour hotline and text line offering emergency support, counseling, and referrals • Safe House, or emergency shelter and supportive services with a capacity of 32 adults and children • Domestic Violence Legal Center offers legal advocacy and representation in the Protection from Abuse process and for related civil legal matters • Empowerment Counseling services for individuals and support groups • Economic Empowerment programming to assist survivors to gain long-term economic stability • Children’s Programming including counseling, trauma-informed psychoeducational groups and recreational activities for resident children and teens • Bridge House transitional housing services to help victims and their children make the transition from the Safe House to permanent housing • Information and Referrals to community programs and resources • Community Education activities for schools, churches, civic groups, clubs and organizations • Trainings for professionals in the community • Volunteer and Internship programs
The Scope of the Issue Each year, millions of individuals in the United States are physically abused or assaulted by their current or former intimate partners. Millions more a suffer emotional, psychological, and economic abuse. It is estimated that an act of domestic violence occurs every 7 seconds in the U.S., and over 50 percent of all homeless women and children are on the streets because of domestic violence.
In Lancaster County, it is estimated that there are 7,000-10,000 victims of domestic violence each year. Slightly more than half of female victims of intimate partner violence live in households with children under age 12. Their children are deeply impacted, and without intervention, are vulnerable to future victimization or perpetration of abuse, continuing the cycle.
How You Can Help • • • • •
Speak up. Become educated on the issue of domestic violence as a community public health issue and help inform others. Make a financial or in-kind donation. Assist with and/or attend our major fundraising event, the Spring Celebration or “Gala”. Volunteer: in direct services, on the hotline, with peer counseling, in our Children’s Program, with the Legal Center. Ask your club or organization to get involved in helping to raise funds, collect donations, or volunteer with DVS
Contact Us Hotline: (717) 299-1249 Business: (717) 299-9677 Web: www.caplanc.org/dvs E-mail: Christine Gilfillan, Director cgilfillan@caplanc.org Angela Keen, Community Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator akeen@caplanc.org
KEYNOTE SPEAKER William Gay William Gay, the middle brother of three, was born In Tallahassee, Florida, and was raised by his grandmother on the South side of the city. He attended James S. Rickards High School where he was a stand-out in both football and track & field. He graduated with honors in 2003. Mr. Gay went on to The University of Louisville where he graduated in 3 1/2 years and played football from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Gay was drafted to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He later would win Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, with the Steelers (2007-2011, 2013-2017) and the Arizona Cardinals (2012). During his career in the NFL, he used his platform to bring awareness to domestic violence, a subject near and dear to his heart due to the murder of his mother, Carolyn Bryant, at the hands of her partner when he was only 8 years old.
Please join us in congratulating Linda Gort, MS, CRNP, as the 2021 DVS Catalyst for Change Award winner. Linda is being recognized with this honor for her steadfast commitment to women’s reproductive health in underserved communities and her work ensuring that victims of domestic violence receive access to the resources they need. Since 1996, Linda has served Union Community Care f(ormerly SouthEast Lancaster Health Services and Lancaster Health Center) in multiple roles, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Director of Women’s and Children’s Services, and Site Medical Director. In the 1970s, when Linda was working at Planned Parenthood, she met a patient who was bruised and injured. She asked what happened, and the patient told her she had fallen down the stairs. Linda knew that she was a “battered woman.” At that time, there were no shelters or resources for victims. At the time, Linda thought, “we have to fix this.”
Linda Gort
Catalyst for Change
AWARD WINNER
Years later, when resources were more available, Linda’s master’s thesis centered around the response to domestic violence and education for nurses. Mentored by pioneers in the field, she attended conferences and seminars on the topic and developed a curriculum, which she presented throughout Lancaster County to health care providers. Effective screening,
documentation, and response, she knew, were key to helping victims leave abusive situations. “I knew when I met Linda in 2018 that she was a leader and champion for one of the most effective ways to identify and support survivors – medical advocacy and the role of the healthcare system,” DVS Director Christine Gilfillan says. In the words of her lifelong friend, Nancy, who made the nomination: “Linda Gort is being nominated for the Catalyst for Change Award because she has devoted her whole life to helping others in need. Whether they are pregnant women learning to care for their unborn child, a new mother learning to breastfeed, or giving direction to those in abusive situations and encouraging them to reach out for help.” She further states that Linda “accepts and respects people where they are in life and strives to make that life better.” Today, Linda is involved in DVS’ work as healthcare provider, community member, and a DVS Advisory Committee and Special Events Committee member. Linda recently participated with DVS staff members in 18 hours of trauma-informed training. “We are so fortunate to have Linda as part of our DVS team,” Gilfillan says. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”
DVS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Kristy Aurand - CAP Heidi Bair - SpiriTrust Lutheran Frank Christoffel - Lancaster County Association of Realtors Forrest Collier - Community Volunteer Jennifer DiCola - DVS Christine Gilfillan - DVS Linda Gort - Union Community Care Dana Hamp Gulick - Community Volunteer Angela Keen - DVS Arelis Perez - CAP
DVS SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE Linda Gort, Chair Kristy Aurand Donna Bent Kate Duke Christine Gilfillan Dana Hamp Gulick Angela Keen Nancy Marshall Brittany Mitchell Brian Nguyen Arelis Perez Rachel Pinsker Elyse Pollak Sarah Popovich Barbra Bray Smithgall
Special Thanks To: Jeania Anderson Dutchland Derby Rollers Dana Hamp Gulik Dan Jurman Kristin Manser Kristen Richards and Bakers Uprising
Creating a better future together
UPMC Health Plan is proud to support Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County.
upmchealthplan.com
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ANNUAL REPORT OF Service Statistics July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020
DVS at a Glance Total number served (unduplicated)
Hotline Calls Answered
Number of People Who Received Emergency Shelter Total Number of Community Education Programs Individuals Who Completed Our 45-Hour Domestic Violence Counselor/ Advocate training
CommunityWide Events
1,530
1451
79
All Programs
Adults
Children
645
Total Emergency Safe House Nights Provided
8109
165
86
79
Total
Adults
Children
88 Total
41 78 Total
DVLC and Bridge House statistics continue on to the next page...
People Reached with Community Education Programs
Number of Community Trainings
2724 Total
18
Total Service Hours Provided
Individuals Who Received Community Counseling Services People Who Were Sheltered Hotels in April, May and June Due to COVID-19 Number of Service Hours Provided by Volunteers
Number of Individuals Trained
6959 All Programs
107 36 Total
2809 498
Service Statistics Continued... DVLC at a Glance Number of clients served
Number of Protection From Abuse Order petitions Drafted
Number of Court Accompaniments
1168
179
681
Number of Clients Who Received Attorney Representation
179
Bridge House at a Glance Number of Families Served
19
Number of Direct Service Hours Provided
500
LET’S COUNT ON EACH OTHER.
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Highmark Blue Shield is proud to support the 2021 DVS Spring Gala!
You protect. You comfort. You change lives.
Whether you’re experiencing homelessness, need help budgeting, are considering homeownership, or are somewhere in between, our team is here to help. Learn more at: www.WeAreTenfold.org
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FEATURED AUCTION ITEMS 108 Cooking Around the World #1 Expand your recipe repertoire with some international flavor! Several local chefs will each provide a cooking lesson to you and a guest. When you win this item, you leave with 3 cooking lessons to be scheduled with each Chef at a mutually agreeable time. You can decide with the Chef if it will be an in-person or virtual lesson. Winner (and guest) may need to provide ingredients for each lesson. Lessons provided by: Lombardo’s Afro Boricua Cocina El Toro Barbacoa
109 Cooking Around the World #2 Expand your recipe repertoire with some international flavor! Several local chefs will each provide a cooking lesson to you and a guest. When you win this item, you leave with 3 cooking lessons to be scheduled with each Chef at a mutually agreeable time. You can decide with the Chef if it will be an in-person or virtual lesson. Winner (and guest) may need to provide ingredients for each lesson. Lessons provided by: Conway Social Club Spice Kings Flora’s
FEATURED AU
112 Grandma Lisa’s Garden Have a magical afternoon tea in Grandma Lisa's Garden! Join Lancaster local Lisa Doseff, for a tour and tea in her beautiful garden that inspired her upcoming illustrated children's book "Grandma Lisa's Humming, Buzzing, Chirping Garden". Winners will receive a copy of the book and get to spend their own magical afternoon in Grandma Lisa's Garden!
113 Getaway Weekend on Eastern Shore, MD Find Peace and Pleasure on a long weekend at Heron Cove! This is a “long weekend” for up to six people. Dates flexible/details to be worked out via AirBnB or with the Walkers. This classic modern post-and-beam waterfront home sits at the end of a half mile gravel drive and overlooks Davis Creek, a tributary of the Chester River, in Rock Hall, Maryland (just over 2 hours’ drive from Lancaster). The house has a fully equipped kitchen, large great room with a fireplace, three bedrooms, two baths, a screened porch and deck. Satellite Cable and Direct TV will keep you entertained if nature just isn’t your thing. The wooded lot has a private sandy kayak launch and a shared pier.
UCTION ITEMS 117 Cocktail Lessons from the Professionals Take your cocktails to the next level when you learn from your favorite local pros! Several mixologists will each provide a lesson to you and a guest. When you win this item, you leave with 3 lessons to be scheduled with each mixologist at a mutually agreeable time. You can decide with the mixologist if it will be an in-person or virtual lesson. Winner (and guest) may need to provide ingredients for each lesson. Lessons provided by mixologists from: Conway Social Club Tied House Lititz Horse Inn
205 Custom Caricature Digital cartoon caricature for a family of four, by Angie Jordan, award winning digital cartoonist (sized 8x10, head and shoulder, color). Winner will receive art in a .jpeg file which can easily be used online for fun, unique profile photos, or printed to be displayed in your home, used for custom greeting cards, and more!
FEATURED AU
207 Two Family Photo Shoots - One For You and Another For a DVS Safe House Shelter Family Your memories will last a lifetime with a family photo shoot from Val Smith of Grace Photography. Plus, your bid will donate a photo shoot to a DVS Safe House Shelter Family in your name.
211 You’re a Work of Art One gift certificate valued at $1000 for a portrait sitting including one 14” Fine Art Portrait finished on canvas with full artistry by artist Lara Koppmann. Located in Lancaster, PA our studio works with clients from all over Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Delaware to have a classic portrait commissioned of their families and children. As experts in family wall portrait art, we provide an invaluable service including portrait art for families to display and cherish in their homes for generations.
UCTION ITEMS 301 Personalized Cornhole Set Get ready for a summer of backyard fun with a cornhole set customized with your very own theme!
302 Pandemic Sourdough Starter Back by popular demand, bake a lifetime of delicious sourdough bread at home with this starter from Catalyst for Change Honoree, Linda Gort. Comes with handsome King Arthur Flower Canister.
403 Longwood Gardens Getaway Explore 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows with 2 passes to Longwood Gardens, a $100 Longwood Gardens giftcard, and a gorgeous Orchid plant!
Spon VISIONARY DREAMER BENEFACTOR Tony & Sherry Chivinski Fran & Mike Kane Linda Gort & Lenny Walton
FRIEND
Angie’s Custom Cleaning, LLC EHD HDC – Housing Development Corporation Highmark McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC Office Basics Shumaker PDT Tenfold TW Ponessa & Associates Union Community Care
nsors PATRON
Alan R. Jacobs Alegre Events Anonymous CAP Board Member DavCo Advertising Kate & Steve Duke Forrest & Kitty Collier Fulton Bank Giant Lefevre Funk Tom & Barbra Smithgall
In appreciation to all the Staff, Volunteers & Board members of CAP and DVS for your service to others! -Tony & Sherry Chivinski