CCSF Newsletter September 2021

“The only way you can serve God on earth is by serving others.”
Pastor Rick Warren

Dear Friends,

We are excited to honor those, past and present, who have experienced violence from those they loved and perhaps still love. We want this newsletter to be a resource and an encouragement to them and those who care about them.

October is DV Awareness Month! Let’s do our best to share this in any way we can! Happy Fall!

This month’s e-newsletter includes:

How to Get Involved

Community Events

Innovative Support Groups

House Bill 1449

Local Diaper Drive

Time to Shop

Yard Signs

Enjoy those autumn colors!

Stop the Abuse, Heal the Family, Change the Future

Email: ccsf.hope@gmail.com

Website: https://www.ccsfhope.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristianCoaltionforSafeFamilies

Christian Coalition for Safe Families September 2021

October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

The Department of Justice reminds us that “No person should be subjected to the fear, shame, and humiliation that an abusive relationship produces, and leaving these relationships is not easy. This National Domestic Violence Awareness Month let us take the time to educate ourselves about how to support friends or family members who are fighting to free themselves from abuse, and unite to give a voice to those who suffer in silence.”

There are many ways to get involved in the community to raise awareness and to prevent DV

Here are a few ideas:

· Yard signs to remind people of this month, purple lights or purple ribbons outdoors – see our cover page!

· Wear purple whenever possible

· Church or business reader boards proclaiming DV Awareness Month

· Have brochures available in church and business lobbies

· Announce on personal and company social media pages

· Tell friends and family, send this newsletter to interested parties

· Engage in open discussions

· Donate financially to DV organizations and shelters

Community events to participate in

· Lifewire World of Hope Gala and Auction, October 2nd

· Northwest Family Life is conducting a DV vigil in October and also sponsoring a Virtual Gala on November 13th. Contact them on Facebook or their website.

· Concert October 23rd with CeCe Winans, Survivors Night to Shine, with all proceeds going to survivors of domestic violence. It is sponsored by Blessings from My Heart to Your Table, Chef Delphia Brewton, a DV survivor herself. The foundation employs survivors of violence and abuse and uses the funds to support their children. Learn more about Chef Delphia Brewton and her amazing company.

Innovative Support Groups

Educational support groups are forming for women survivors who call into the Northwest Family Life main desk, 206-363-1906. Entry-level classes called DV 101 offer six weeks of material on Zoom taught by a licensed counselor. They provide a listening ear, support, and steps to recovery. Afterwards participants can choose to join support groups.

Verdant Health is sponsoring Spanish Language Support Group for Women Survivors of Domestic Violence. Immigrants in the United States, like any other individuals, have the right to live life free from domestic violence and abuse. In these uncertain times for immigrant families, Verdant is committed to providing support groups for survivors of domestic violence and their children regardless of immigration status. Second and fourth Wednesdays, virtual, 6 to 8 P.M., starting September 29th. For more information: LGOORELLANA@gmail.com or https://no-mas-violencia.eventbrite.com.

House Bill 1449

The State of Connecticut has recently passed a law expanding the definition of domestic violence to include coercive control. In February of this year we mentioned in our e-newsletter that House Bill 1449 had been introduced to make coercive control a crime in Washington State. Unfortunately, it appears that House Bill 1449 has gone nowhere since being introduced February 9th, 2021 in the House Committee on Public Safety.

Local Diaper Drive, 9/27-10/3

Babies of Homelessness is holding a drop-off diaper drive October 2nd from 11 to 3 at The Store-House Self Storage in Bellevue to help bring diapers to families in our community. Please bring diapers or pull-ups size 3+. If you cannot make it, consider shopping their Amazon Wish List.

Time to Shop

For some reason, fall weather means time to shop . Here are two great places to check out.

Vision House Thrift Store offers affordable merchandise to the community. The revenue generated from donated items is used to support Vision House families recovering from homelessness. (As we know, most homeless women with children are homeless due to domestic violence.) Donated items are used for the Vision House apartments, the resident store (where Vision House families shop at no cost), and lastly to be sold at the thrift store. Address: 400 Olympia Ave NE, Renton, Phone: 425-757-0845. Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 6.

New and Again Thrift Shoppe All proceeds from the sales of donated items go toward funding programs and services for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County clients. New and Again Thrift Shoppe allows current shelter and housing clients along with their children access to donated items at no cost via a voucher system. Address: 3010 Grand Avenue, Everett, Phone 425-258-4428. Store Hours: Monday through Friday 10 to 5, Saturday 10 to 2.

We still have a few yard signs available!

Please let us know, via our Gmail, if you are interested.