The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
By Jaclyn Eisele WCA Clinician
Kids are seen as incredibly resilient. When they fall down, they bounce back up. When they break a bone, they heal quickly. And when they’re young, we like to believe that they are somehow shielded from the harsh realities of adult problems. Not being able to fully understand the events in their lives however, does not mean that they are unaffected by serious situations such as domestic violence. While we may not always see the damage that violence in the home causes, we can be certain that invisible scars are commonly left behind. Kids exposed to domestic violence, either directly or indirectly, experience abnormally high levels of stress which can have lasting impacts on the developing brain.
|
Volunteer Spotlight: Ann Lewis
Ann Lewis, Outreach Volunteer
What brought you to the WCA and how have you seen it evolve?
About 10 years ago, I attended a presentation at the WCA and became a volunteer, participating in projects and helping as needed. I soon became a “regular” helping out with administrative work on Wednesday evenings as I still worked full time. Eventually I was the regular Wednesday evening welcome receptionist for the weekly RAP support group. When I was lucky enough to retire from full time work, I looked forward to more volunteer time at the WCA. That opportunity came soon enough. The Communications Manager asked me to help establish a specific outreach program using trained volunteers to promote community awareness of our organization and our mission. Thinking this was a further use of my administrative and organizing skills, I quickly accepted. Boy was I wrong!
More…
|
Donor Spotlight: Ada County Paramedics
One of our special partners is the Ada County Paramedics. Their Employee Association answered a special “emergency” call recently, when they learned that our shelter and child care desperately needed cans of formula. Lane Corless, a Captain of the Paramedics, delivered 10 cans to answer the need. Many thanks to this great group!
More…
|
Corporate Pillar Spotlight: Fancy Pants
By Lisa Uhlmann, WCA Corporate Pillars Manager
Our Corporate Pillars program is an essential way for corporations and businesses to support the WCA’s clients and our work in the community. We are truly grateful to have the support of Fancy Pants co-owners Courtney Allen and Jaime Petrilli as valued WCA Corporate Pillars.
“We love helping women find clothing that makes them feel good about themselves. We support the WCA because they are helping those who need it the most.”
More…
|
Announcement: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
rovides an opportunity to educate and engage our community and help people learn more about domestic violence and how as individuals and as a community we can work to break the cycle of abuse.
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of controlling behaviors intended to frighten, intimidate, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound an intimate partner. Contrary to popular perceptions, domestic violence is not solely physical. Emotional, verbal, sexual, and economic abuse are just as harmful and include isolation, sexual assault, intimidation, humiliation, and withholding financial support or information.
More…
|
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 July. Our work is only possible through the support of our community.
|
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.
- Diapers (sizes 4 and 5) – 10 packs each
- Doll House Furniture and Figurines
- Gift cards (Home Depot, Walmart, Thriftway Lumber, Any $ amount)
- Gift cards, $20 and up (i.e. Winco, Target, Shopko, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, etc.)
- Gift cards, $20 and up for any gas station
- 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
- LeapFrog LeapPad Learning Tablets
- Legos for 5 and up- 5 needed
- Potty Training Chairs – 6 needed (3 girl colors, 3 boy colors)
|
|
|
Bea Black, Executive Director
Unplugging from electronics is one of the ways that I renew my spirit. Having just returned from a week on the river- camping out in our beautiful State- I had no access to my cell phone, the newspaper, TV or radio. For a brief period of time, I was able to just focus on the beauty of nature and my basic needs. There is something so relaxing about just “being”. I realize not everyone can take a week and go camping, or may even like the idea of a week in the wilderness- but all of us can make the decision to “unplug” on a consistent basis and practice self-care.
|
Bev La Chance, Deputy Director
The WCA’s direct client services program operates a shelter clients store that is located on-site at the emergency shelter, Serena’s House. It is premised upon the concept of a token society wherein individuals earn tokens that may be utilized to buy goods in the store, i.e. dishes, flatware, pots and pans, blankets, child-related items and more.
More… |
|
Upcoming Events
Palette for Hope: A Benefit for the WCA
September 15, 2016
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
at Art Zone 208
Community Day at Whole Foods Market
5% of day’s proceeds go to WCA
September 15, 2016
7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Whole Foods Market
Justice League Softball Game
September 17, 2016
10 a.m. at Willow Lane Athletic Complex
Vintage Car Show
September 17, 2016
4:00 p.m.-7 p.m. at Golden Wheel Drive In
DVAM Press Conference
September 28, 2016
9:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Ada County Paramedics
SueB 5K Run/Walk
October 2, 2016
2 p.m. at Julia Davis Park
Zero Landfill
October 8, 2016
9 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Business Interior Warehouse
Kendall Ford Drive for Your Community
October 13, 2016
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kendall Ford
|
Follow Us!
|
|
Google+
Snapchat: WCABoise
|
|
|
|
|
|