Domestic Violence Awareness Month
 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.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) – which provides 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.
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The WCA #NoMore W  ave
For more than a year, celebrities have been filming PSAs and appearing in ad campaigns that target victim blaming and not taking action when someone is being abused. The national comprehensive NoMore movement is intended to bring together all those who want to put an end domestic abuse and sexual assault.
NoMore.org, with a tagline of “Together we can end domestic violence and sexual assault,” encourages the use of social and digital media and provides tools and resources for such efforts.
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Best of Boise
The votes are in for Boise Weekly’s annual “Best of Boise” and the WCA was voted 2nd place for Best Non-profit joining the Boise Bike Project and the Idaho Youth Ranch in the top three favorites.
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One T-Shirt
 Every October the WCA participates in the Clothesline Project– asking local businesses to hang t-shirts decorated by survivors of domestic abuse in their establishments. The t-shirts give survivors a voice and allow this very real issue to be brought to light in the community. This is a story we received from a staff member from one of the many participating businesses this year:
I’m sharing this story with you because not only did it impact my life in a very personal way, but it may have saved a life, as well.
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Staff Spotlight: Meet Mallory
Mallory Armstrong: Administrative Support Specialist
What do you do for your job at the WCA?
I check counseling clients in and out for appointments, process insurance paperwork, and provide support for the admin staff.
How long have you been with the WCA?
I have been here for about a month.
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Survivor Story: Reach Out!
Written by a DV Survivor and former WCA Client
The half hour drive from Meridian, Idaho to Boise seemed like the longest of my life. Late one night, I packed our 10 and 7-year old sons in the car with me to escape the turmoil at home. My husband Randy had been drinking again. I suspected that he was an alcoholic. If I admitted that, then I’d be faced with reality–with the elephant that stalked our house. I felt at a total loss in knowing what to do.
A few nights before, I had accused Randy of being an alcoholic. It was as if I’d thrown gasoline on a simmering fire. He exploded in anger and shoved me against the kitchen wall. I wanted to run away and never come back. But two little boys slept upstairs. I’m sure they weren’t really sleeping– probably terrified of what was happening between their parents. Even after 30 + years, I still remember how desperate I felt.
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Supporting WCA Clients: Keller Williams Donation Drive
 A special thank you to our friends at Keller Williams Reality for donating some much-needed supplies to our clients!
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2014 SueB Memorial Run
Thank you to all those that participated in the 5th Annual SueB Memorial Run on Sunday, October 5th. It was a great success thanks to everyone who took part. We had over 205 5k participants and 39 1/2 mile particpants. More than $5,000 was riased for the SueB Endowment Fund!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Madeline
 What do you do in your volunteer role at the WCA? As a Jesuit Volunteer (JV), I am serving full time at the WCA for one year as the Outreach Coordinator. In the Outreach Coordinator postion I help staff theWCA information table at outreach events, help plan events like the Clothesline Project, and help the Communication Manager maintain our website, social media pages, and monthly newsletter.
How long have you been a volunteer?
I have been a volunteer since the middle of this past August.
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J.Jill Special Event
By Lisa Uhlmann
 J.Jill at the Boise Town Square, one of our fabulous Corporate Pillars, is hosting a special event through October 22nd, collecting gently worn clothing at the store, in exchange for a 25% coupon for new clothing at J. Jill. Please bring your clothes to J. Jill and check out its beautiful fall collection. A special WCA outreach event was held the evening of October 13th at the store. Several women stopped by, sharing personal stories about domestic violence in their own families. It was a remarkable evening.
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Corporate Pillar Spotlight: KeyBank
By Lisa Uhlmann
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| Clothesline Display from the Broadway Key Bank Branch |
KeyBank has been a remarkable WCA Corporate Pillar. During the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, KeyBank is featuring the WCA’s Clothesline Project in five of its branch offices. KeyBank in Idaho offers a broad array of retail, commercial and investment banking products and services for individuals and businesses. We asked KeyBank Contributions Manager Heather Kimmett about the company’s strong support of the WCA. She said: “As a company, we want our clients, employees and communities to feel safe and secure in all aspects of their lives. Supporting the WCA, and specifically the Clothesline Project, is one way that we can help bring awareness to such a heart wrenching situation that no one should have to experience.” We are extremely grateful for KeyBank’s support of the WCA and its commitment to share our Clothesline Project with its customers.
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Power of One Breakfast
 At St. Alphonsus Hospital on October 3rd, the WCA presented a breakfast honoring first responders. The event was a great success thanks to all those that came out and participated in the event.
A special thanks to our awesome speakers:
- Linda Martin, St Alphonsus
- Steve Boyender, Deputy Director, Ada County Paramedics
- Dr. Benjamin Cornett, Idaho Emergency Physicians and Medical Director, Ada County Paramedics
- Cindy Mendoza, Former WCA Client
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Advocacy Groups Call on NFL to be a ‘Game Changer’
More than 1,200 organizations-including national, state and local groups from 47 states, the District of Columbia, 12 tribal communities and four territories that are working to prevent domestic and sexual violence-have come together under the banner of “NFL Game Changer” to call on the NFL to invest heavily in a long-term, comprehensive community engagement and prevention campaign to change the culture in order to end violence against women and girls.
In a letter sent to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell late last week, this extraordinary grassroots coalition asked that the League make a significant investment in an approach to preventing violence against women that includes partnerships with community organizations that promote prevention, the involvement of NFL personnel at all levels, and efforts to teach the pipeline of players and fans about respect for women and girls.
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Our lists of needed items are updated monthly 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.
- Non-perishable/non-expired food items
- Boxes of tissues
- Compact florescent light bulbs (60 w)
- Mattress covers (twin-sized vinyl zippered only)
- Wipes
- Diaper Genie bag refills
- Bibs
- Twin bedding sets (boys and girls themes)
- Hooded towels
- High chairs
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Bea Black, Executive Director
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and so for the WCA it is an extremely busy month, filled with lots of outreach efforts. Each outreach effort is designed to raise awareness of the services we offer while educating our community on the complexities inherent in domestically abusive situations.
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Susan Kelley, Development Director
The Ada County Highway District held their annual charity golf tournament on September 13, and the WCA was selected as the 2014 recipient of the proceeds-a whopping $45,000!
Each golfer received a goody bag which also included a golf ball decorated by the children at the shelter, as well as the WCA’s brochure and “shoe card.”
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Bev La Chance, Deputy Director
Leaving a domestic violence home/relationship can be a dangerous process. It is not uncommon for the abuser to escalate their violence in order to coerce the victim into reconciliation or to retaliate for the victim leaving. The abuser is losing control and may threaten to seek custody of their children, interfere with the victim’s employment, or even kill them.
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Announcement
The WCA has an Instagram!
Follow us @WCA_Boise
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