Hope House News
Summer 2013
Domestic Violence in the News Congressman Cleaver Holds Press Conference at Hope House
Making The Most of the Worst in the Media With so many high profile cases of domestic violence in the news recently�from a revered Olympic athlete, to a respected news anchor, to a former spouse abuser who kidnapped three woman and held them captive for nearly a decade—we are reminded that domestic violence knows no boundaries. It affects people of every race and socioeconomic status. While it is saddening to see so much of it in the news, it does afford us the occasion to speak about it, especially with our children, letting them know just what domestic violence is, what it looks and feels like, and what sort of things actually come under the broad heading of domestic violence. It gives us the opportunity to check in about what’s happening in their dating lives, discuss warning signs and talk about potential action steps. With one in three teens experiencing violence in their dating relationships, clearly the need is there. If your child isn’t experiencing this for him or herself, chances are they know someone who is and can be of help given the right information. Teaching teens what is healthy and what is not can go a long way in giving them the tools they need to create healthy relationships throughout their lives. Start the conversation. Learn more at loveisrespect.org and hopehouse.net.
On Monday, March 11, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, Jean Peters Baker, along with Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny held a press conference at the Independence campus of Hope House. All local television networks and some area newspapers were on hand to capture the discussion on domestic violence issues and the passage of the Violence Against Women Act.
Urgent Needs We have wish lists created on Amazon.com, WalMart.com, and Target.com! Wish lists are searchable both online and in-store. On WalMart.com/Target.com search First Name: Hope; Last Name: House. On Amazon.com search: Hope House. • • • • • • •
Baby wipes Shampoo & conditioner Allergy medication Children’s cold/flu medication Adult cold/flu medication Notebooks/journals Toilet paper
• • • • • •
Paper towels Disinfecting spray Pillows Washcloths & towels Women’s socks Ethnic/African American hair products (oil, perms, gels, etc.)
A complete list is available at hopehouse.net/needs.
Young Philanthropist Corner It is a constant source of surprise and delight when it comes to donations and those doing the giving. We've had so many young people get involved with Hope House�from Girl Scout and Camp Fire Groups, to kids celebrating birthdays and wanting to give something back. Here are a few of those wonderful youngsters who generously thought of Hope House. • The Fires of the Forest Camp Fire Boys & Girls came out and gave us several flowerboxes they made with the help of the National Association of Women in Construction. A hard working and generous group! • Seven year old Evan decided that, this year, he’d like to collect some gifts on his birthday purely to donate to Hope House! Nice job! • Julian Hoskins and his friend Scottie Munsch held a fundraiser and collected over $1,000 in jewelry and $120 in cash. The jewelry will be featured in this year’s silent auction at Hope and All That Jazz in August and it is beautiful—the boys picked it out themselves! • Seven year old Jaxson turned up at our office with his grandfather and donated toys he'd collected from his birthday party! Thank you, Jax! • Nine year old twins, Brook and Morgan, asked their friends to bring gift cards to their 9th birthday party instead of buying presents. They brought us a gift bag stuffed full of gift cards—over $700 worth! Incredible! All pictured from top to bottom
Past Events The 2nd Annual Margarita Ball Was a Hit Margarita Ball was the place to be this event season! Hundreds of people attended the event at Studio Dan Meiners to partake of tasty tapas and yummy margaritas, and dance great music by two hot bands, The Zeros and X-Parte. An iPad Mini was raffled off and nearly a dozen other items were included in a silent auction which featured a Puerto Vallarta Holiday, a BBQ dinner for 100, and a beautiful diamond necklace. The annual event, which began last year, has grown tremendously. Attendance was huge, sponsorships nearly doubled and proceeds were up 60% over last year!
Hair Razing For Hope Raises Big Dollars Nick Swearngin’s Hair Razing for Hope set record highs this year! Each year this popular St. Patrick's Day event continues to grow, not only in the number of people shaving their heads, but in attendance and fundraising. The 2013 head shaving event raised close to $20,000! We are tremendously grateful to Nick Swearngin, his wife, Jennie, and all of those incredible people who joined in the fun by shaving their heads and fundraising like crazy. Special thank you to the wonderful support from Lee’s Summit Tribune and Linda Ahern.
Upcoming Events Hope & All That Jazz
Birdies Fore Hope
Saturday, August 17 at The Muehlebach Hotel
Monday, September 23rd at Oakwood Country Club
In celebration of our 30th year, come dance to music from the 80s by The Zeros, feast on wonderful food and bid on fabulous auction items all in support of Hope House! For tickets or more information go to hopehouse.net.
Join us for the 3rd Annual Birdies Women's Charity Golf Tournament. Play and make a difference in our community all at once! Fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch and great prizes! For tickets or more information go to hopehouse.net.
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National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Report Comes Out In just one 24-hour period, local domestic violence programs across the country provided help and safety to 64,324 adults and children who were victims of domestic violence, the NNEDV stated in its report Domestic Violence Counts: A 24hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. The report revealed that reduced funding for domestic violence services means that programs are unable to help survivors with shelter, attain legal help, or leave abusive partners. In addition, pending funding cuts resulting from the sequester also worry victim advocates. According to recent analysis, sequestration will result in approximately 70,000 fewer victims getting help from domestic violence programs and
approximately 36,000 fewer victims having access to protection orders, crisis intervention, counseling, sexual assault services, hospital-based advocacy and help with civil legal matters. The economic conditions of the past few years have had a significant impact on domestic violence programs. “Across the country, domestic violence programs are working harder than ever to help victims of abuse,” said Kim Gandy, President and CEO of NNEDV. “But we also know that, across the board, funding for victim services is dwindling while the demand is climbing." To donate go to hopehouse.net or use the enclosed envelope.
Below, top to bottom: Jeff Silver and Mary Anne Methney; The Women of Arrowhead Insurance: Ann Johnson, Julie Sheer, Deana Byard, Alina Williams and Erica Doaks; Amy Johnson, Karma Vowell and Julie Ryan Lindstrom; Nancy DuVall surrounded by the Lee's Summit Kiwanis Club; Alexis and Amy Cooper.
Partners in Hope All State Foundation: Jeff Silver of All State Foundation and Hope House volunteer, presented CEO MaryAnne Methney with a check for $1,000 from the Foundation. Thanks so much, Jeff! Arrowhead Insurance: The women at Arrowhead are incredible! They went around to various stores and asked for donations or deals on items to give to Hope House. They bought Easter baskets for every child at the shelter – each included a $10 gift card for Walmart; gift bags for every mom that included jewelry donated by Mary Margaret's Consignment Boutique, mani-pedi stuff and a hand crafted bracelet! Incredible! The Noticed Network and One Body, One Life: Karma Vowell, Hope House Director of Development, collected a handful of checks from Amy Johnson of The Noticed Network and Julie Ryan Lindstrom from One Body, One Life, Independent Arbonne Consultant. Thanks for the donations, ladies! Lee's Summit Kiwanis Club: In January, Claire Jones, of the Lee's Summit Kiwanis Club presented a check to Nancy DuVall, Hope House Chief Development Officer, at their weekly meeting at John Knox Village. The Lee's Summit Kiwanis have been strong supporters of Hope House since 2001! We greatly appreciate their continued support! Mother and Daughter Act: Alexis Cooper and her mom, Amy, brought us bagsful of handmade blankets which nineteen year old Alexis made for the women and children living at Hope House to enjoy. They were incredibly beautiful and there were loads of them! Lee's Summit Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Nissan: Faith Suddarth and Laurie Rouse with Lee's Summit Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Nissan dropped by to give us an enormous amount of donated items collected at the dealership. They had several large containers, but even so, they still had to make more than one trip! Thanks so much! Morrill & Janes Bank: Morrill & Janes Bank in Lee's Summit also collected donations at their ME-Day. They made a feast of it with food, drinks and prizes. What a beautiful bank and super friendly people. Thanks all!
Hope House News
Summer 2013
PO Box 577 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
HOPE HOUSE P.O. Box 577, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 hopehouse.net 816.461.4188 Hotline: 816.461.HOPE (4673) Metro Hotline: 816.HOTLINE (463.5463) MaryAnne Metheny, CEO Christine Urbanek, Managing Editor For questions or comments, please email us at info@hopehouse.net.
Get Involved There are many other ways to participate and show your support and each one is as needed as the next: DONATE FUNDS—contribute annually, arrange for a planned gift, give a monthly donation, or sponsor one of our events. DONATE TIME—volunteer to help at one of the many events Hope House has every year, help out in the Hope Street Boutique by sorting out our donated goods, get a group together and donate a day of doing good by helping to maintain our facilities. DONATE GOODS—join our Urgent Needs email list and donate goods we critically need when we need them the most. Start this summer with a commitment to make the world a better and safer place for another in need. To learn more about Hope House and how you can participate, visit hopehouse.net.
Hope House Board Members 2012-2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
CiCi Rojas, Chairperson Chris Ferguson, Chair Elect Sara Welch, Immediate Past Chair Sal Montalbano, Treasurer Carol Baker, Secretary Roberta Abramson Elizabeth Barnett Lisa Block Dr. Stephanie De La Torre Linda Duncan Dawn Dutton Ashley Gillard Greg Lorei Roger Lumley Dara Macan Sarah Millin Adam Rossbach Becky Sandring Gary Walker Michael Williams
Carol Sue Bass Jacqueline Clark Dick Doherty Colleen Foudree Daren Fristoe Tom Holzbaur J. Scott King Barbara Koirtyohann Tom Krewson Phil LeVota Carol Mays Judy Ness Barbara Potts Norman Swails Donna Watkins Lysle Weeks Sally Winship