Denim Day 2016
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and we are encouraging Treasure Valley community members to use their fashion statement to make a social statement on April 27, 2016 for Denim Day. Show your support and solidarity with survivors of sexual assault by wearing denim.
We ask you to wear denim for a specific reason. In the 1990s, a young woman was picked up by her male driving instructor, taken to an isolated area and forcefully raped. He was initially arrested, convicted and sentenced to prison. When he appealed, his conviction was overturned because the justices felt that because the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have had to help him remove them, thus implying consent. Enraged by this verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work in solidarity with the victim. You can learn the history of Denim Day here and about the WCA event here.
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Donor Spotlight: Susan Taylor
Here at the WCA, we offer a financial literacy program to teach our clients the skills necessary to gain economic independence in a safety-centered setting. Deborah DeSousa, our Financial Literacy Educator, is expanding the program to teach youth and teens these important skills and is able to do this with the help of community members.
We want to continue promoting simple saving activities with our families. Children from our shelter have started to participate in the Idaho Piggy Bank Beauty Contest hosted by the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition. Each child decorated his/her own piggy bank and entered it in the contest in February. They also made piggy banks again in April to help promote April as Financial Literacy Month.
More . . .
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Corporate Pillars Spotlight: Idaho Power
Catching Up with Darrel Anderson, President & CEO, Idaho Power
Idaho Power is a strong supporter of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance: a Corporate Pillar with numerous active Ambassadors, TWIN honorees, and a CEO who shares his leadership and passion with the WCA. We spent some time with Darrel to see what’s new in his world and what’s on the horizon.
“I really enjoy living in this community; there are so many great things happening here and I am fortunate to be part of them, whether it’s the evolving energy world at Idaho Power, my involvement with the WCA, or time with my family – I have a lot to be thankful for,” said Darrel.
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New Shelter Groundbreaking
BOISE, ID – On April 7, 2016, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance’s new shelter. Donors, board members of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) and Boise City Council members were there to celebrate the groundbreaking.
The new shelter will consist of 16 transitional units as well as office and storage space. There will be eight units per floor with shared living room, dining, laundry and kitchen facilities (with a double set of appliances) on each floor. Each unit has an adjoined full bathroom. ADA (compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act) units will be available on level one.
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Staff Spotlight: Linda Davidson-Gafford
We have some amazing staff here at the WCA and we would like to take a moment and feature just one of them!
What is your name?
My full name is Linda Davidson-Gafford
What is your job title at the WCA?
HR Admin Manager at WCA
What do you do in your job at the WCA?
I provide HR support for Managers and Staff, supervise admin team, provide training and development for staff, manage recruitment, selection and onboarding, employee relations, and additional projects as needed.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly Katona
What do you do in your volunteer role at the WCA?
I assist the front desk by answering phone calls and making copies. I am an expert at envelope stuffing and I’m pretty great at being a general ‘gofer’. I always say “Yeah! Of course!” enthusiastically when ever anyone from the office asks me for anything. It’s an automatic response when I’m asked for help. I also volunteer for events that pop up here and there. I volunteered for the first Fallapalooza festival last year and the WCA Holiday Party.
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Our community is constantly giving back and supporting our clients on their journey to safety, healing and freedom. We would like to highlight just a few special cases from the month of April. Our work is only possible through the support of our community.
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Our lists of needed items are updated weekly and always available on our website. New items from this list below can be dropped off at the WCA lobby at 720 W Washington St. M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Crib (new) – 2 needed
- Gift cards: gas, groceries, household items, facility-related items for any $ amount
- High Chairs – 3 needed
- Individually Packaged Foods – Granola bars, Fruit snacks, Pretzels, and Personal size: nut packs, cracker packs, cereal packs
- Kinetic Sand (different colors) – 5 packs of each color
- Legos
- Shower Caddies
- Thomas the Tank Engine Toys
- Twin Comforters – 20 needed
- Vinyl & zippered twin-size mattresses covers – 20 needed
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Bea Black, Executive Director
What does it take to change a culture? To shift a mindset? Unfortunately, what I have seen over the years is that there is only one thing that truly works – and that is to raise awareness of an issue by educating people. People have to believe that there is an issue before they are willing to do anything about it. With April being sexual assault awareness month, that is exactly what we are trying to do.
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Lisa Uhlmann, Corporate Pillars Manager
On April 5, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance was honored to present the 23rd annual Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Luncheon at the Boise Centre. The 2016 TWIN Awards Luncheon was truly remarkable.
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Bev La Chance, Deputy Director
Since 2003, April has been recognized as National Financial Literacy Month. This month highlights the importance of sound and healthy financial habits that improve an individual’s knowledge, skills and confidence. You can learn more about Financial Literacy Month here.
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Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar!
Click here for more information
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 2016
information
Financial Literacy Month
April 2016
Click here for more information
Dream Body Fitness Fundraiser
information
AKL Blind Date Fundraiser
Mr. AXO 2016
April 22, 2016
Click here for more information
Denim Day
April 27, 2016
Click here for more information
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