Post Covid19 has shown that folks are really ready to regain their freedom in the sphere of Domestic Violence. Our phones have been ringing off the hook from mothers who are trying to get away with their children to a safer place, single women seeking a space, we are receiving calls and emails via our website email to say that they need help or ask for advice
And so we are in need of Volunteers and Staff to continue meeting the needs, currently we have openings for two Case Managers and three House workers and one Admin assistant,.
We are always needing assistants at various levels and would appreciate anyone who can volunteer spend some time with us. It is very heartrending to see the needs that’s required for our services, now more than ever let us be courageous to take a stand to help every1knowsome1
Domestic Violence affects us all in more ways than one, as a community productivity is decreased in the grand scheme of Living
Merlyn Pittman, Executive Director
By Merlyn Pittman
On October 9th 2022, the City of Tracy experienced an inaugural event. Tracy hosted it’s first pride event crossing a threshold that had never been crossed before marking a milestone of acceptance and inclusiveness for members of the LGBTQ within the community, it indeed was a “Prideful” occasion. Stories weresharedofvariouschallengesthroughouttheyears leadinguptothatmonumentalday,ChestofHopehad a Vendor booth at the event and gave away toiletries and staff felt proud to be a part of what can be consideredahistoricalmoment.
Years ago myself and some staff took classes on how to best serve the LGBTQ community, which included topicslikehowtobesensitivetoLGBTQminorsetc And so when it was announced that the pride event wouldbehappening, It was an opportunity for us to have a discussion and reflectonsaidtraining(s)andwhatthetrainingmeant to us individually and what was the take away for us , what stood out, what can we relate most from the training?
Anditdawnedonmeafterthosediscussions,thatIam tasked to add to our programs Housing, for TransgenderedWomen.
Transgenderedwomen,hastherighttoaccesshelpas asurvivorofdomesticviolenceregardlessoftheirstatus or gender expression, and so I was jolted out of my reverie when the reality of the Pride event became a reality With LGBTQ individuals in the community not willingorafraidtocomeforwardtoseekserviceinthey have been a victim and need services, I believe the event will change things and they will be more forthcoming, so are we prepared to provide housing andsupportforthosewhomightneedit?Ihavetosay nowearenot!
Wehavecomealongwaysincewefirststarted in2011andhavemademanystrideswith programsandservices,ourlatestbeingstarting thismonthconductingImmigrationworkshops forthoseinourcommunitywhomayneed answerstotheirquestionsregarding Immigration
Thereforeitistothedrawingboardwegoasan organizationtogatherallthatweneedtobein complianceandbeknowledgeable,tobeableto notjustserveinarearsofcounselingandthings ofthatnaturebutmostimportantlyintheareaof housing Wewillnotstopuntilweareanall inclusiveAgencywhichtoowillincludehousing forAbusedmen
SoaswecontinuetoFundraisetopurchaseland sowecanmeettheneedsofthosewhoneeds ourservices,IdohopeyouwouldconsiderChest ofHopeinyourseasonofdonatingandgiving monetarilytheneedisgreatandwearestriving tomeettheneedsasthecallsforhelpare increasingeveryday.
Pleasenotealldonationsaretaxdeductible
The average American cannot imagine fleeing the country because of civil unrest. Yet, civil unrest is common in some countries, causing many to flee their homes, searching for safety in new, foreign lands. Many choose the United States.
In 2021, the United States resettled 11,411 refugees. On October 3, the U.S. government announced that 25,465 refugees had been resettled during the fiscal year 2022. Many flee Chest of Hope is known for supporting abuse victims. Although an uncommon occurrence, it recently took in a Mother and her children who fled Columbia for their safety. “Mariana” was a victim of violence, but not by her husband. She was one of the thousands of Colombians who feared for her life in her country and decided to leave Arriving in the United States with her children, she was desperate to make a living for her children. Mariana met a gentleman who had temporarily allowed her and her children to live in his rental home. Mariana worked odd cleaning jobs to make ends meet and to save money for a place of her own. After some time, the gentleman informed Mariana that she would need to find another place to live, as he intended to sell the property. The gentleman paid for two weeks of motel accommodations for Mariana and her children.
This new arrangement kept the family from living on the streets; however, it Tbecame his new arrangement kept the family from living on the streets; however, it became increasinglydifficultforthechildrentomakeittoschool Schoolteachersbegantonotice iA ncreasinglydifficultforthechildrentomakeittoschool Schoolteachersbegantonotice A truancy officer noticed that one of the girls, Sophia, wasn’t going to school They tvisited ruancy officer noticed that one of the girls, Sophia, wasn’t going to school. They visited tthem,buttheyweren’tintheoriginalhouse.ThentheymadeaphonecalltotheMomand hem,buttheyweren’tintheoriginalhouse.ThentheymadeaphonecalltotheMomand llearnedthattheywerestayinginamotelandhavingahardtimewithbasicallyeverything earnedthattheywerestayinginamotelandhavingahardtimewithbasicallyeverything fromwheretostaytowhattoeat Shewantedtoenrollher9 year foldson,Juan,intoschool, romwheretostaytowhattoeat Shewantedtoenrollher9 year oldson,Juan,intoschool, butshewastryingtofigureoutwherehewouldlivesoshecouldenrollhimintheschool butshewastryingtofigureoutwherehewouldlivesoshecouldenrollhimintheschool closesttohome.”saidastudentservicesworkerclosetothefamily. closesttohome.”saidastudentservicesworkerclosetothefamily.
The student services worker previously worked with Tracy Unified School District as Ta he student services worker previously worked with Tracy Unified School District as a liaison and had many connections When she learned about the family’s situation, lshe iaison and had many connections When she learned about the family’s situation, she wantedtohelpthem “Weofferedtopayforthreemorenightsatadifferenthotel wButthe antedtohelpthem.“Weofferedtopayforthreemorenightsatadifferenthotel.Butthe Momsaidshefoundaroomtorentanddidn’twanttomisstheopportunitytogetstable.I Momsaidshefoundaroomtorentanddidn’twanttomisstheopportunitytogetstable.I told her that I understood.” In the meantime, the student services worker began trying tto old her that I understood” In the meantime, the student services worker began trying to getMarianaonvarioushousinglistsandfindherfinancialsupporttosecuretheroom gThe etMarianaonvarioushousinglistsandfindherfinancialsupporttosecuretheroom The workerreachedouttohercontactsandbegancollectingmoneytohelppayfortheroom workerreachedouttohercontactsandbegancollectingmoneytohelppayfortheroom. ““Wecollected$800altogether.ThatSaturday,Itoldhertocallmewhenshegottotheroom Wecollected$800altogether.ThatSaturday,Itoldhertocallmewhenshegottotheroom sothatwecouldmakeachecktothelandlord.Iwenttocheckit.WhenIgotthere,theyhad sothatwecouldmakeachecktothelandlord Iwenttocheckit WhenIgotthere,theyhad very sad faces The previous renter stated that her experience with the room owner was va ery sad faces The previous renter stated that her experience with the room owner was a nightmare Shesaidtheroomwasverydirty Thehousewasfilthy nTheMommentionedthat ightmare.Shesaidtheroomwasverydirty.Thehousewasfilthy.TheMommentionedthat ttherewerewormsontheceiling.Iwashesitanttogoin,butwhenIwentin,itsmelledlike herewerewormsontheceiling.Iwashesitanttogoin,butwhenIwentin,itsmelledlike dog and cat poop like something had died there. The refrigerator was filled with old dfood. og and cat poop like something had died there The refrigerator was filled with old food I’mnotsurewhatyoucallitinAmerica,buttherewerelittleone Iinchwormsontheceiling ’mnotsurewhatyoucallitinAmerica,buttherewerelittleone inchwormsontheceiling likemaybesomethingonthefloorabovehaddied lTheholesinthemattresswerebigasa ikemaybesomethingonthefloorabovehaddied.Theholesinthemattresswerebigasa football. Creatures were coming through the windows. There were no curtains, only fworn ootball. Creatures were coming through the windows. There were no only worn sheets.Juanwasscaredanddidnotwanttosleepthere.Itoldher,you’renotgoingtostay sheets Juanwasscaredanddidnotwanttosleepthere Itoldher,you’renotgoingtostay here
“I started calling and calling people I had worked with Tina before and told her I “just I started calling and calling people. I had worked with Tina before and told her I just needed a place; I didn’t care where That’s when the angel, Tina, showed up and told nus eeded a place; didn’t care where. That’s when the angel, Tina, showed up and told us aboutthehouse(ChestofHope) aboutthehouse(ChestofHope)
“Being housed by Chest of Hope was a godsend for this family. The children were so“Being housed by Chest of Hope was a godsend for this family The children were so happy.IcalledtocheckonMarianaandthechildren,andshetoldmeJuanwasextremely happy IcalledtocheckonMarianaandthechildren,andshetoldmeJuanwasextremely happy hSheaskedmeGuesswhereheis?Hetookashower,andnowheisinthebathtub appy.SheaskedmeGuesswhereheis?Hetookashower,andnowheisinthebathtub. He’s been there for hours He was happy just to bathe in a safe, clean Hplace” e’s been there for hours. He was happy just to bathe in a safe, clean place.” stated sthe tated the studentsservicesworker studentsservicesworker
Thesekindsofstoriesaren’tsharedoften,letaloneinSanJoaquinCounty.Unfortunately, Thesekindsofstoriesaren’tsharedoften,letaloneinSanJoaquinCounty Unfortunately, they are not uncommon San Joaquin County is home to thousands of immigrants twho hey are not uncommon. San Joaquin County is home to thousands of immigrants who comefromallovertheworldforvariousreasons cMostlyallwiththehopesofmakingbetter omefromallovertheworldforvariousreasons.Mostlyallwiththehopesofmakingbetter livesforthemselvesintheUnitedStates lMarianaandherchildrenaredoingwelloverall,but ivesforthemselvesintheUnitedStates Marianaandherchildrenaredoingwelloverall,but iithasnotbeenwithoutitschallenges.BeingawayfromtheirDadhasbeendifficultforher thasnotbeenwithoutitschallenges BeingawayfromtheirDadhasbeendifficultforher children, especially Sophia, the 16yearold. The student services worker is looking cfor hildren, especially Sophia, the 16yearold The student services worker is looking for resources to help Sophia with her mental health When asked about the nature of rthe esources help Sophia with her mental health. When asked about the nature of the separationbetweentheDadandthefamily,thestudentservicesworkerexplained,“There’s separationbetweentheDadandthefamily,thestudentservicesworkerexplained,“There’s alotofbadguerillagroupsintheareawheretheywereliving aTheywerebeingforcedto lotofbadguerillagroupsintheareawheretheywereliving Theywerebeingforcedto workinthedrugtradebutwereunwilling.Theyweretoldthattheirfamilymemberswould workinthedrugtradebutwereunwilling Theyweretoldthattheirfamilymemberswould be killed if they did not comply. I do not know all the
did not comply I do not know all the
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, ABC 7 News interviewed Founder and Executive Director Merlyn Pittman regarding the Chest of Hope and how it supports victims of domestic violence Pittman shared that calls for service had reached 400 500 calls this year and reflected on how COVID lockdowns adversely impacted strained relationships "During COVID, it was very frustrating for families because they were locked in. They were actually in the house with the abuser 24/7. They got on each other's nerves more, you know. The physical got increased," Pittman said.
Abuse survivor and former client of the Chest of Hope, Patricia Harrell, shared her personal experience with abuse, describing how verbal threats eventually escalated into physical abuse Harrell eventually left her abuser Due to constant harassment, she was advised to move Harrell has since remarried and relocated out of state. To see the full interview, please visit: https://abc7news.com/help for domestic violence family stalking chest of hope/12298014/ If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, help is available. Please get in touch with chestofhope org or call the helpline at 209 259 5552
OctoberisDomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth,andthis year,ChestofHopedecidedtocelebrateitinabigway!
The organization hosted a community event every Saturdayofthemonthtobringawarenesstoitsmissionof supportingvictimsandsurvivorsofdomesticviolenceand humantrafficking
TheeventsincludedaNightoftheCaribbean,which featuredCaribbeanfood,drinks,andperformers;an"ILove the80's"Party,whereguestsdressedin80sattire,danced to80smusic,andenjoyedpizza;aHocusPocusthemed PaintParty,whereguestspaintedtheirversionofthethree witches from the popular Halloween movie; a free CommunityBreakfastwasheldattheGuadalupeCenter whereTracyPoliceDepartment'sPoliceChiefMillington presentedChestofHopewithaCertificaterecognizing OctoberasDomesticViolenceAwarenessMonthand commendedtheorganizationforitsworkwithvictims.
Thefinaleeventofthemonthwas"MusicforHope", organized by Business Development Director Gerilyn MartinFeatherstonTheeventwasanoutdoor,catered dinnerconcertheldatthebeautifulWenteVineyardin Livermore,CATheeventwasintimateandattendedby dignitariesfromSanJoaquinandAlamedaCounties.
Headlining the concert was Fleetwood Mask, a popular cover band for the legendary group FleetwoodMac
Therewasaliveandsilentauctionwherevacation, trips, custom art, a party bus, and even an autographed Raiders jersey, among other great items,werebidonbyguestsinattendance
EnjoyphotoshighlightingeachChestofHopeevent!
Business Development Director Gerilyn Martin-Featherston pictured with Randy Brown, Master of Ceremonies for "Music for Hope".
Founder and Executive Director, Merlyn Pittman and the Chest of Hope team at "Music for Hope" fundraiser in Livermore, CA.
"Music For Hope" dinner concert fundraiser at Wente Vineyards.
The Spice Islanders perform at Mountain House Bar and Grill for Chest of Hope's "Night in the Caribbean" event.
Volunteers cook for Chest of Hope's free "Community Breakfast" event held at the Guadalupe Center.
Guests show their 80s spirit at the "I Love the 80s" Party held at the Masonic Temple in Tracy, CA
Board Chair, Dani Bettencourt, greets guests of the Hocus Pocus Paint Party held at Moose Lodge in Tracy, CA.
By Gerilyn Martin-Featherston
As the Development Director for The Chest of Hope, I am tasked with finding sponsorship and funding for Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking victims and survivors In order to do that I have to give you the opportunity to understand the whys of our need Domestic Violence knows no language, no race, no gender, no religion or cares about your socio economic stand in the world Doesn’t matter your job or your importance It is violence on anyone, physical, mental, psychological, emotional and financial abuse Anyone can fall victim and can become a survivor, that’s where we help Chest of Hope gives hope and help to these victims and survivors, through housing, counseling, job training if needed, parenting classes if needed and financial literacy We want to help the whole person become independent and healthy for themselves and their family We are coming into the holidays which can be more stressful for the victims still with their abusers We are now in the process of funding an Emergency Safe House to allow these victims safety quickly We are looking for houses in San Joaquin County and Alameda County to provide safe places for these victims But we cannot give these survivors hope alone, we need help and funding from others to make this happen We are coming up on Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022, check out our social media for updates, survivor stories and our progress toward our Emergency Safe Houses, please stay tune and please donate
AB 2391 will go into effect on January 1, 2023
The bill limits the legal power of domestic abusers by placing sanctions on abusers who have restraining orders in place and prevents those individuals from filing baseless lawsuits that would make it possible for them to stay in contact with their victims.
The goal of the approved bill is to stop domestic violence victims from being harassed by abusers taking advantage of the legal system and permitting the court to label abusers as vexatious litigants To learn more about what behaviors and acts are associated with vexatious litigants, please visit: https://www sjcourts org/forms filing/vexatious litigants/ If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Chest of Hope helpline at 209.259.5552
