2016

Impacting Our Community

Newsletter | December 2016 Our Mission: To Stop Domestic Violence

Abuse For Everyone Through Intervention, Education, and Advocacy.

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Newsletter | December 2016

The Holidays: A Hard Time for DV Survivors As a survivor of domestic violence, having the courage to share your story is a milestone moment. Alyssa found it therapeutic to share her successes as a survivor. She also hopes that her story brings awareness and hope, encouraging others to come forward and take that next step to a violence-free life. The holidays are one of the most difficult times for domestic violence survivors. For families who are staying in our emergency shelter and others accessing counseling and outreach services, finding joy during the holidays can be elusive. Take a moment to listen to Alyssa’s story and how she moved forward from victim to survivor.

*Alyssa’s Story*

Free confidential services are available every hour of every day at Women In Distress. Help is just a phone call away at the 24-hour Crisis Hotline 954-761-1133. “It’s important,” says Alyssa, “that you check on family and friends, especially if you believe they are at risk. Be there, listen and let them know you can help.”

To help domestic violence survivors and their children, like Alyssa,

make a donation today!

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From our Families to Yours…We are Grateful A Message from President & CEO, Mary Riedel The holidays bring out the very best in our community. We are very grateful for gifts and donations coming in throughout the holidays to help the families and children served by Women In Distress. Thanks to your support, our families see that there are good and caring people. You help to deliver the most precious gift of all – hope.

This is also a time of hope and healing for our survivors and their families at the Jim and Jan Moran Family Center Campus of Women In Distress in Deerfield and at our satellite locations around Broward County. Our mission is to end domestic violence. Our goal is to help survivors rebuild their lives and become active, engaged members of our community. This is why we are so proud to have creative and innovative community partnerships. Here are just two of many highlights:

The Ultimate Software Training Center at the Jim and Jan Moran Family Center campus provides technology and computer training, financial literacy and other skills to help survivors return to school and re-enter the workforce.

Bank of America 2016 Neighborhood Building award is allowing us to launch a first-of-its kind partnership on a pet shelter in cooperation with the Humane Society of Broward County. We know pets are part of families too, yet only three percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide can accommodate pets. Having a place for pets is yet another way to keep families together and safe.

Thanks to so many who contributed to our Thanksgiving Food Drive. The spirit of gratitude could be seen and felt by the 214 families who were able to provide a special Thanksgiving dinner for their families. And, we are currently collecting new, unwrapped toys for children and teens, as well as gifts for them to present to their mothers, fathers and caregivers. Whether you donate a toy, gift card or make a cash donation you are sending a message of hope to our families. To learn more about how your support impacts the families served at Women In Distress, please click here to review our 2015-16 Annual Report. From all of us at Women In Distress – our staff, Board, Trustees, volunteers and especially the women, men and their children who come to our doors for help, thank you. Thank you for saving lives. Thank you for changing lives. May the holidays and New Year bring many blessings to you, your family and friends. With gratitude, - Mary Riedel President and CEO

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What’s On Your Holiday Wish List? Spend some time this holiday season helping our children and families create special memories by giving to Women In Distress’ Holiday Donation Drive. Your support will help them enjoy the happiness of opening gifts this holiday season. There are many ways you can participate this holiday season. Here are a few ideas and a list of holiday items we are collecting.

Make A Holiday Donation

Create A Donation Drive With Your Company Host An Event

Holiday Donations: Toys for boys and girls – Infant to age 12

Teen gifts for boys and girls – Ages 13 - 17 Gifts for Moms and Dads

Gift Cards

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Save The Date! 5K SAFEWALK-RUN 2017

Women In Distress will host the 18th Annual 5K SafeWalk-Run on

Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Davie campus.

Race Details: 7:30 am – Registration Opens

9:00 am – Race Begins

Registration Is Now OPEN!

Get ready to Take Steps to End Domestic Violence.

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Year-End Giving: Many Ways to Help

Thanks to you, nearly 2,800 women, men, and children were able to be served by Women In Distress during the past year. Thank you for making them safe and allowing them to start new lives. Every day, your support makes stories like Alyssa’s possible. We hope you took the time to watch the video about Alyssa and how Women In Distress was there for her during her time of need. So many others like Alyssa are reaching out for help.

Now is a good time to consider making a year-end gift:

1. Give a gift to honor someone special in your life. We will let them know about your generosity in their honor.

2. Make a gift before December 31. Donations to Women In Distress are tax-deductible to the

fullest extent allowed by law and may help lower your taxes and support great work for those affected by domestic violence.

3. Donate long-term appreciated securities directly to Women In Distress — rather than selling the

assets and donating the cash proceeds — is one of the best and easiest ways to give. A gift of stock or some other appreciable asset may not only help you with your tax bracket, but could also save on capital gains. For these type of gifts you should seek advice from your professional advisor.

4. Consider making a gift from your IRA if you are required to take a minimum required

distribution. The current law allows you to directly donate some or all of that distribution to a charity. Check with your financial advisor as to the tax advantages for this type of gift and to help with the transaction.

To give stock or other appreciated assets, or IRA distribution, contact Michael Barron, 954-760-9800 Ext. 1256; or email at mbarron@womenindistress.org

Your year-end gift will make a difference in the lives of those moving forward and away from domestic violence. For those brave survivors and their children, we thank you.

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Great prices throughout this Holiday Season at

Women In Distress Thrift Store Spend some time this holiday season shopping great deals at the Women In Distress Thrift Store. Your purchase or donation of new or gently-used items helps support our families now and throughout the year. Come in and see our great prices on clothing, household items, linens, furniture, and décor.

Women In Distress Thrift Store 1372 North State Road 7, Margate, FL 33063

Drop Off Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm Store Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Holiday Hours: Closed December 24, 25 and 26

All net proceeds at the Thrift Store support survivors of domestic violence and the services needed to keep families and children safe.

To schedule a furniture pick-up call 954-975-7425 or click here for more information.

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Visit Our Photo Gallery

Golfers Helped Drive Out Domestic Violence Thank you to all who supported and participated in our 3rd Annual Women In Distress Charity Golf Tournament on November 14 at Coral Ridge Country Club. Chaired by Phyllis Thomas and David Sobocinksi, the event raised $136,000, which will provide more than 1,436 nights of safe shelter and supportive services to women, children, and men who are fleeing abusive homes. Special thanks to our sponsors: Masters Sponsors - The Thomas Family Foundation, David and Lynn Sobocinski and Lorraine Thomas US Open Sponsor - JM Family Enterprises and Southeast Toyota Distributors British Open Sponsor - Wayne and Marti Huizenga

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*PNC Bank employees helping distribute Thanksgiving items to survivors*

Thanksgiving Bounty for Our Families

Thanks to all who supported this year's Thanksgiving Food Drive. With the help of supporters like you, we were able to serve 214 families with food and supplies for their Thanksgiving meals.

Also, thanks to our volunteers for donating, sorting food items and packing bags for families.

Thank you to our donors: AAA Auto Club South

Angelica Brodeur Bright Horizons at UM Canterbury

Brown and Brown CitiMed

City College Ambassador's Association ComPsych Corporation

Denice Recupero Emmanuel Christian Center

FIU Department of Physical Therapy Kapula Mukamel Keiser University

Lawlor, White and Murphey North American Refrigeration

NSU University School Tri-M Honor Society Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church

Saavedra Goodwin Smoke BBQ

Solutions Target Store #2092

Valencia Point Women's Club Wells Fargo

Thank you also to the Gines Jorge "George" Jimenez Fund for Feeding the Poor and Homeless of the Community Foundation of Broward who help us serve 100 participants Thanksgiving dinner to those

living on our campus.

*A few of the 100s of bags prepared for survivors* *Volunteers sorting donations*

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Women In Distress – Annual Report

You impacted the lives of our families in such a tremendous way over the last year. Learn more about how your support helped and continues to help the families served at Women In Distress.

2015-2016 Annual Report

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Upcoming Events

Please join us in participating in the following events.

Nov. 19 – Dec. 30: Hoffman’s Chocolates – “Winter Wonderland” 5190 Lake Worth Rd, Greenacres, FL 33463 6:00pm – 10:00pm WID is one of 10 non-profit agencies participating to win $1,000 for the best holiday wreath. Stop by Hoffman’s Chocolates Winter Wonderland to place your vote. Click here for event details.

If you are interested in hosting a third party event to help support Women In Distress, please contact Eileen Trower at etrower@womenindistress.org or 954-760-9800 ext. 1245.

For more event details, please click here.

24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 954-761-1133 | Admin. Tel: 954-760-9800

P.O. Box 50187 Lighthouse Point, FL 33074

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. © 2016 All rights reserved.

Please remember Women In Distress in your will and estate plans.

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