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The BeaLine (YouTube video)
Bea Black, Executive Director
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Children Impacted by Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We normally find that our main focus lands on those enduring the abuse of their partners – however, as our annual report highlights, there’s often secondary trauma and abuse inflicted on children who witness abusive relationships.
WCA Communications sat down with Jenny Richards, LMSW, to talk about the impact of secondary trauma on children. Below is a paraphrased excerpt of their conversation. Jenny is one of six master’s level full-time clinicians that sees hundreds of clients a year, some of those clients are children.
Jenny works primarily with children who have witnessed their parents’ abusive relationship. She utilizes play therapy as a means to help children cope and unlock their emotional intelligence – which may be lacking regular development. This work is so important as half of children who witness abuse when they’re young are twice as likely be in abusive relationships as adults.
More . . .
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference
The Women’s and Children’s Alliance kicked off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference at the Ada County Paramedics headquarters in Boise.
Officials from Ada County, Boise, Eagle, Garden City, Meridian, Kuna and Star came to show their support and stand in solidarity with victims of domestic abuse. They signed a joint agreement to declare the month of October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in their respective communities. This declaration is another step forward in the Women’s and Children’s Alliance’s mission to offer safety, healing and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault.
More . . .
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Survivor Story
I am a victim of domestic violence. I am survivor. What I choose to call myself, depends on which part of my story I am telling. Because I do honestly think that only by some grace, did I actually survive some things. And other parts, I know I WAS victimized by someone who claimed to love me – and I know there is no shame in that. I feel no guilt in saying that I am a victim of domestic violence.
But it took me many years to get to this point. So that is why I am here today, sharing with you why I do what I do with the hope that you will share my passion for helping those being hurt by those that are supposed to love and respect them.
I was 16-years-old when my boyfriend put a bullet into the chamber of a gun, spun the chamber around—while staring at me silently.
More…
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Justice League
On September 29, four teams of first responders gathered together for Justice League, the annual softball tournament at Willow Lane Athletic Complex in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Ada County Paramedics, Ada County Sherriff’s Office, Ada County Prosecutors and Boise Police and Fire faced off in a tournament with the Ada County Sherriff’s Office coming out as the winner.
More…
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First Responders Appreciation
Following the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference held on the afternoon of September 27, six teams of volunteers from Saint Alphonsus and staff from the Women’s and Children’s Alliance delivered 29 baskets of (healthy) treats to the first responders of Ada County.
The baskets consisted of snacks generously provided by St. Al’s, along with thank you notes, WCA brochures, shoe cards, and drawings made by the kiddos in childcare.
More…
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Supporting Our Clients
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 that have happened recently.
Our work is only possible through the support of our community.
There are simply too many companies, families, and individuals to list. Check out our Facebook page for more fun photos and stories!
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Corporate Pillar Spotlight: ESI
“ESI has always been dedicated to supporting the WCA because of their commitment to empower women and children to get back on their feet. We support organizations that operate with fiscal responsibility and discernment when it comes to stretching their budget and the WCA demonstrates this very well.” Neil Nelson, President, Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI).
We are humbled to have ESI as such an incredible steadfast Corporate Pillar. To know that our vision “To foster a community where individuals thrive in safe, healthy relationships” is aligned with and supported by ESI’s management and employees is a tribute to the WCA’s support of our clients and our work in the community.
More…
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Staff Spotlight: Ellie Wallis
Ellie Wallis got her start in nonprofits in an unconventional way.
There was a development that was going to be a strip mall right next to her home in Chattanooga, TN. The developer wouldn’t communicate with the neighborhood. So, Ellie organized with her neighbors and a local nonprofit that protected the creek near the development. When the nonprofit needed a new leader – Ellie stepped in. She learned everything she knows on the job in conjunction with a nonprofit resource center in Chattanooga.
Once she got settled into her position as executive director, “We lobbied city council to turn down permitting for it because it was zoned residential, and we actually won – we won twice in a row.”
Ellie worked with the developer to create a green and environmentally friendly space. The developer changed plans and it went from a strip mall to a multipurpose area with half the proposed development left untouched. This helped protect the creek.
More . . .
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Wish List
Our lists of needed items are updated as needed 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.
- Gift cards (Home Depot, Walmart, Thriftway Lumber, Any $ amount)
- Gift cards, $20 and up (i.e. Winco, Albertsons, Target, Shopko, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, etc.
- Gift cards, $20 and up for any gas station
- Passes for family-friendly activities (movies, bowling, JumpTime, Wahooz)
You can purchase other much needed items through our Amazon Wish List.
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