How Family Resources Opens Doors to A Safe Place for Women, Children, and Families

May 14, 2013

_I8A0554Our Opening Doors Gala was held recently at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center. Around 266 guests helped us raise more than $70,000 for our programs and services. Decker Ploehn served as the emcee and auctioneer and Ellis Kell provided music. It was a fun evening that also had its emotional moments.

Each day, our dedicated staff provides a safe place for women, children, and families. We would be unable to do it without the support of our donors and volunteers.

At the Gala, we showed a video that illustrates the impact Family Resources has on the lives of people we serve. You can see more than 30 photos from the Gala on our website, along with a list of sponsors and volunteer committee members who organized the Gala. Below is the video that was shown at the event. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch, then become involved in our mission as a donor, volunteer, or sponsor of a future event.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Behind the Scenes at Isabel Bloom – Creating “Unconditional Love” for the 2013 DOVE Women’s Golf Tournament

February 13, 2013

Donna Young, the designer and co-owner of Isabel Bloom, has created another wonderful sculpture for this year’s DOVE Women’s Golf Tournament. It depicts a little girl hugging her puppy and is titled “Unconditional Love.” Donna and her team have the ability to create sculptures that touch the emotions, and this year she has done it again.

"Unconditional Love" goes on sale March 23rd, 2013 at Isabel Bloom's Moline Showroom.

“Unconditional Love” goes on sale March 23rd, 2013 at Isabel Bloom’s Moline Showroom.

In the Limited Edition version, the dog is wearing a purple collar. Only 200 Limited Edition sculptures are being created and they will go on sale Saturday, March 23, 2013 at the Isabel Bloom Signing Event at the company’s Moline Showroom at 1505 River Drive. The Signing Event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Donna will sign each of the sculptures sold that day. Isabel Bloom is also donating 50% of the sculpture’s sale price to Family Resources domestic violence programs and services. It’s one of three activities held each year in conjunction with the DOVE Women’s Golf Tournament. DOVE stands for “Domestic Violence Ended” and also includes the golf tournament on  June 7th this year and Fill-the-Truck on June 22nd.

Have you ever seen an Isabel Bloom sculpture going through the production process? We produced a video showing the creation of “Unconditional Love” at Isabel Bloom’s Harborview Production Studio in Davenport. We are grateful to Donna and her talented crew.

I invite each person reading this to give “Unconditional Love” to someone you love on March 23rd.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Quad-City Times Editorial Urges Community to Support Family Resources

January 29, 2013

QCTlogoNEWColorA week ago, the Quad-City Times ran a story on sexual assault kits that have not been investigated by the Davenport Police Department. In about 80 percent of the cases, the evidence sits for years without an investigation. The horror of the assault and the stigma of a criminal case, where the victim is made to feel violated again and again, causes a lot of victims to suffer in silence. Investigators can only do so much if the victim does not step forward.

We work with the Davenport Police Department, which does an amazing job investigating cases, and our staff work with victims to help them recover their dignity, self-esteem and their lives.

The editorial board at the Quad-City Times recognized this and made the decision to run an editorial, praising our work with the Davenport Police Department and urging the community to support us in our goal to provide a safe place for victims of sexual violence. The paper recognizes that the answer to the problem of sexual assault already exists in the QCA. Readers are encouraged to support these efforts with financial gifts.

We were surprised and grateful when the editorial appeared in the paper on January 28. We know that the people who make up the editorial board truly care about our community, and on behalf of everyone at Family Resources, I’d like to offer them a public “thank you.”

Read the Quad-City Times editorial via this link.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Call for Entries to Quad Cities Artists – Submit Art to Benefit Children, Women and Families

January 11, 2013
Mary Reeves and Saharra Rangel of Davenport Central High with their door, which encouraged victims of domestic abuse to "Imagine" a better life.

Mary Reeves and Saharra Rangel of Davenport Central High with their  artistic door at last year’s Gala. Their theme encouraged victims of domestic abuse to “Imagine” a better life.

Artists in the Quad Cities area are invited to participate in an art awareness project in conjunction with Family Resources Opening Doors Gala, a great event that will be held this year on April 12 at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.

The deadline for entries is April 1, 2013.

Artists are asked to submit works in any medium that bring awareness to the issue of family crisis, children in crisis, domestic violence and family violence using the central themes of opening doors, safe places, hope and/or new beginnings. We’re not insisting on many details other than that – we’re interested to see how artists will interpret these themes.

Art works must be delivered to Family Resources at 2800 Eastern Avenue by April 1 for display at the Opening Doors Gala. There are a few things artists will be asked to agree to:

  • Artists will agree that the art will be displayed publicly at the Gala and also at the Venus Envy event at the Bucktown Center on May 3-4.
  • The art will then be part of a traveling exhibit that will be displayed in various places throughout the community for the following year.
  • At the end of the year, the art may be returned to the artist or auctioned/raffled at the Gala event in 2014.

The Opening Doors Gala is an important event for our organization. It’s an emotional evening. Last year, area students designed and painted doors, each with messages and images that really moved people. We’re excited to see how local artists interpret the theme this year. For our 2013 event, the art is not restricted to doors.

Last year’s event – including the student art and items donated by caring donors and businesses that sold at auction – generated around $75,000 in revenue. The event in 2012 benefited our Domestic Violence Shelter, but the focus is now expanding to assist all of our programs and services for women, children and families.

Artists seeking more details on the art awareness project may call us at (563) 468-2140.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

It’s Raining Teddy Bears — Holiday Season Brings a Wave of Generosity

December 11, 2012
Famres-Mallards-6

Volunteers quickly collect bears thrown in the Teddy Bear Toss after the Mallards scored their first goal Friday night. The bears were donated to Family Resources.

There was a strange weather phenomenon at the Quad City Mallards hockey game Friday night. When the Mallards scored their first goal, the iWireless Center saw a shower of teddy bears rain down on the ice.

Family Resources was the recipient of this year’s Teddy Bear Toss, held by the Mallards to brighten the lives of children who could use the good cheer during the holiday season. Fans brought teddy bears to the game and were asked to throw them onto the ice when the Mallards scored their first goal.

A young fan prepares to toss a teddy bear onto the ice.

A young fan prepares to toss a teddy bear onto the ice after the Mallards scored their first goal.

Some of our staff were given tickets to attend the game, and they were surprised at the number of teddy bears that were tossed. It took a few minutes for volunteers to scoop them up so the game could continue.

The bears will be given to children who come to Family Resources for a variety of reasons, but always to find a safe place for healing, counseling, or education.

This week, the Davenport Police Union and Association are holding their annual Christmas Toy Drive and Fundraiser to benefit the Family Resources Domestic Violence Shelter and the families we serve.

You can take gifts and donations Monday through Friday to the following drop-off sites in Davenport:

  • US Adventure RV, 5120 N. Brady Street
  • Matt Sturdevant State Farm, 1903 Pershing Avenue
  • Davenport Police Department

On Saturday and Sunday, Davenport Police will be set up in front of JCPenney at North Park Mall to accept toys and donations. On Saturday, December 15, they will be set up from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sunday they will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Members of the Burlington Junior Women's League with our staff at the Burlington office. From left to right: Nikki Jones, Michelle Cox, Jeanne Brus, Kendra Nichols, Kim Korschgen, Lucy Miller, Ashley Hazen, Julie Fitzpatrick, Sara Crozier, and Laura Harmon.

Members of the Burlington Junior Women’s League with our staff at the Burlington office. From left to right: Nikki Jones, Michelle Cox, Jeanne Brus, Kendra Nichols, Kim Korschgen, Lucy Miller, Ashley Hazen, Julie Fitzpatrick, Sara Crozier, and Laura Harmon.

In Burlington, nine of our families that are in crisis were “adopted” by the Burlington Junior Women’s League (BJWL). The women went shopping with wish lists, then wrapped the gifts and delivered them to the Family Resources Burlington office. This will make it a brighter holiday season for 30 children, women and men.

Last month we also reached out to businesses and individual donors in our community to “Adopt a Family for the Holidays.” Last year we were able to make the holidays a bit happier for 150 women and children through this program. The gifts have arrived from this year’s donors, and we’ll have some wrapping parties next week with photos on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/famres). If you use Facebook, please “like” our page so you can remain updated on news and events in real time as they happen.

These are just a few examples of many donors and groups that have come forward to help our children, women and families this holiday season. Each of these activities could not be possible without the kind-hearted people in our region who understand that sometimes each of us needs a helping hand to help us rise above a rough period in our lives. And each of us at Family Resources understands that as we lift our clients to a better place, we are also being supported – by the people in the groups listed here and so many more who give throughout the year to support our mission.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Sexual Violence Survivor Stories Stir Emotions at Family Resources Honor the Women Luncheon

September 28, 2012

Nearly 400 donors and sponsors attended the Family Resources Honor the Women luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012.

Photos of survivors were projected on screens at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center yesterday. Each photo — seven women and one man — carried with it a powerful story of sexual violence and the victims who struggle with recovery.

Through Anne Ream, these victims have found a voice.
Nearly 400 donors and sponsors attended our Honor the Women luncheon — an annual event to raise funds for our QC Rape/Sexual Assault Counseling and Advocacy Program. As government funding continues to shrink, and as Iowa is consolidating services around the state, there has never been a more important time for caring people in our communities to come forward to help those who are trying so hard to reclaim their lives after having their bodies, their self-esteem, and their sense of safety violated.
Anne is a Chicago-based writer, a survivor of rape who founded The Voices and Faces Project, a national documentary that puts voices and faces on the women (and men) who have suffered sexual violence.

Anne Ream delivers the keynote address at our Honor the Women luncheon.

In a video clip from the event (below), Anne talks about the need for all of us to be compassionate listeners when someone confides that they have been victimized. The first thing you say can be very important.
At the end of Anne’s presentation, singer/songwriter Michelle Anthony performed her song, “White Lies,” as more survivor photos were shown. There were tears and sniffles at tables throughout the room — a moving moment for everyone.
I’d like to thank the committee for their hard work to organize this successful event:
  • Laura Swift, Chair
  • Dee James
  • Harold Mire
  • Jenifer Schermer
  • Sarah Reemtsma
  • Tracy Schwind
  • Rachel Hawes
  • Rod Ossowski
  • Sharon Sarver
  • Ken Gullette
  • Shawn Zambrano

Laura Swift, the committee chair, did an outstanding job as our emcee at the luncheon. She brought passion and compassion to the event, and has worked very hard during the past year to make it successful.

Anne Ream signs a CD of Michelle Anthony’s music for an attendee after the luncheon.

We’re also grateful for the support of our sponsors — Presenting Sponsors Northwest Bank & Trust Company, Quad Cities Investment Group, and POSH Home — Host Sponsor Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf — Print Sponsor Davenport Printing Company, and Media Sponsor WHBF-TV.

Our efforts to end sexual violence — and to help victims recover their lives — don’t stop at the end of this event. Women throughout the Quad Cities area are becoming victims every day. For every one that comes forward, at least seven suffer in silence. Family Resources provides a safe place to get support, whether it’s medical advocacy, counseling, legal advocacy — and we need the support of Quad Citians throughout the year to ensure that we are able to keep providing these important services.

Laura Swift, chair of the Honor the Women Committee, moved the audience with her remarks after Michelle Anthony’s haunting music and video presentation.

Earlier this year, a woman who took her children away from a sexually abusive home, spoke at our Take Back the Night rally and said when she found Family Resources, “my life began.”

If you have suffered sexual violence, it is very difficult to recover on your own. We are here for you when you are ready. And as Anne Ream clearly demonstrated at our Honor the Women luncheon, a life of joy is still possible. We want to help make it happen.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Volunteers Bring Generous Hearts and Painting Skills to Family Resources on Day of Caring 2012

August 30, 2012

Volunteers from Group O gather in the morning in front of our gym before being sent to their painting assignments on the Day of Caring.

Sixty-five volunteers from Deere & Co. and Group O came to our Wittenmyer Youth Campus in Davenport yesterday as part of the United Way of the Quad Cities Day of Caring 2012.

 
The annual event is sponsored by United Way of the Quad Cities Area, coordinating volunteers from around the community and assigning them to important community projects for a day. Family Resources is grateful to be selected again as a volunteer site.
 
They began arriving around 9:00 in the morning and at 9:30 we welcomed everyone and sent them in groups to different buildings that needed some fresh coats of paint.
 
Some of our buildings are very old and heavily used. A fresh coat of paint makes a big difference in offices where people come for mental health counseling and services, or in residential halls where young people live as they receive care, education and treatment for a variety of behavioral issues. It makes the atmosphere more pleasant and gives everyone a boost.
 
As they worked, volunteers were singing, laughing, and enjoying themselves. The Day of Caring gets them out of the office and into the community – it’s a great way of bonding as teammates and coming together in a setting outside of the office.
 

Brittany Oakes is videotaped by Greg Armstrong of KWQC as she works with other volunteers from Deere & Co. to paint in our Leslie residential building.

One of the Deere & Co. volunteers, Randall McMurray, says it gives everyone a good feeling to give back to the community.

 
Nonprofit organizations like ours depend on people with caring hearts – we couldn’t do what we do without volunteers. I went from group to group yesterday, talking with volunteers and thanking them for giving their time, energy and talent so our staff could focus on what they do best.
 
We have estimated that throughout a typical year, volunteers provide more than $200,000 worth of work to Family Resources. Yesterday — in one day — volunteers provided service that we estimate to be worth more than $7,500. At a time when we stretch every penny, it’s not easy to come up with the words that express how much we appreciate this type of generosity.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Quarters Add Up at Summer Sizzler Auction by QC Moms in Business

July 17, 2012

Alyssa Jacob, a member of QC Moms in Business, holds up an item as members of the audience bid their quarters and hold up their numbers.

Our community is made up of wonderful people who do very generous things. Case in point: QC Moms in Business.

Last Friday, the American Legion hall on 15th Street in Moline was packed when the organization held its Summer Sizzler Quarter Auction to benefit Family Resources.

Here’s how it works: you buy a paddle with a number on it (you can buy as many as you want). As each item is brought up for auction, you put the number of quarters needed for the item into a basket – usually between one and three quarters, depending on the value of the item. Then you hold your paddle up and if your number is called, you win the item.

An amazing 74 gift baskets were up for bid, each donated by local businesses, including passes to the Family Museum (one quarter bid), a Jamberry Basket from Jamberry Nails (two quarters), an M&M Goodie Basket (one quarter), 1 and 2-quart Tupperware pitchers with Goodies (two quarters) and 70 more items and baskets donated by area businesses. The items ranged in value from $10 to more than $100.

QC Moms in Business was started by Michelle Praught, an Independent Scentsy Director, to give women who own businesses an opportunity for networking. Their activities have evolved into philanthropy.

The turnout was great for the Summer Sizzler Quarter Auction on July 13th. Proceeds will benefit Family Resources’ Domestic Violence programs.

The auction raised $2,092.80 for Family Resources. That’s a lot of quarters. The funds will be used to support our Violence Intervention Counseling Services, particularly our Domestic Violence programs.

Michelle says members of the group selected Family Resources because they wanted to give back to a family friendly organization that’s making a difference helping women and children.

I can’t tell you how much it means to us, and to the people who need our programs and services, when generous people like the members of QC Moms in Business do projects like this. They deserve the community’s support just as they support the community.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Donors & Volunteers Help Fill the Truck for Domestic Violence Shelters in the Quad Cities and Muscatine

June 29, 2012

We had a successful day last Saturday, June 23. Trucks donated by Lujack’s were parked at all Hy-Vee stores in the Quad Cities and Muscatine to gather donated items for our Domestic Violence Shelters in both communities.

This video shows highlights from the day, along with a salute to our amazing volunteers and sponsors.

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

Video Highlights – Ribbon-Cutting for the Historic Gym Renovation at Family Resources

June 26, 2012

On June 8, 2012, we celebrated the renovation of our historic gymnasium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It marked the end of the $1.1 million fundraising campaign.

One of the guests — Marion Rose Konobeck — was three years old when she arrived at what was then called the Iowa Soldiers Orphan’s Home, later named the Annie Wittenmyer Home. Marion Rose learned to swim in the pool that was in the basement of the gymnasium.

This video shows highlights of the ceremony and comments from Marion Rose. We are deeply grateful for all the donors who stepped forward in the community to help renovate this wonderful piece of our community’s history — a building that is still used by young people in our residential programs.

 

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Posted by Cheryl Goodwin

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