Teen Health Fair

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This year's theme for our Domestic Violence Awareness Month was "Remember My Name and Act." Our staff and volunteers worked diligently to promote awareness of domestic violence and our programs.

We gave out many, many purple ribbons, including large ones to the police departments, judges and courthouses. Over a thousand smaller ribbons were given to individuals throughout the county.

We participated in several local events, including the Baldwin County Fair, the Honey Bee Festival and the Women's Wellness Extravaganza at the Riviera Center. Tables were also set up for one day at each of the Wal-marts in the county during October to give out literature and ribbons.

Our billboard on Highway 59 was one of our major accomplishments, thanks to the help of Lamar Advertising. It is colorful and attracts attention.

REMEMBER MY NAME AND ACT
BALDWIN COUNTY VICTIMS KILLED BY THEIR ABUSER

NANCY MITCHELL POOLE
GULF SHORES
12/1/94

KEISHA MESHELLE ELLIOT
FAIRHOPE
5/9/97

JEANNIE CARPENTER
SUMMERDALE
5/19/98

LATISHA KNIGHT
FOLEY
6/17/00

JERRY  LYNN LANGE
GULF SHORES
7/11/00

AIRLENE STANLEY
BAY MINETTE
1/28/01

EILEEN BLOODSWORTH
FOLEY
4/8/01

"Remember My Name and Act"

     In keeping with this year's theme, our second annual domestic violence walk was "Remember My Name and Act." Over 50 men, women and children gathered on Saturday, October 6th at Daphne Elementary School to show their opposition to domestic violence and to honor victims and survivors.

     Jerry Sommer welcomed the crowd and Reverend Bill Kierce of Jubilee Shores United Methodist Church in Fairhope gave the invocation. David Brewer spoke a few words and presented the proclamation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month from the Baldwin County Commission. Evelyn Magretto, a survivor of domestic violence, also spoke.

     Channel 10 gave us coverage of the walkers carrying signs through the streets of Daphne. We appreciate the support of all who walked to raise awareness.

RESTAURANTS

This October, we spread domestic violence awareness through restaurant
table tents in Baldwin County. We felt that information spread in this manner
would promote discussion of this topic, which tends to be considered taboo.
            
            Some of the restaurants that displayed our tents were:

•   Andree's Wine and Cheese, Fairhope

•   Danny's Fried Chicken, Fairhope and Robertsdale

•   Fish Camp, Summerdale

•   Fly Creek, Fairhope

•   Jesse's Restaurant, Magnolia Springs

•   Lambert's, Foley

•   Mama Lou's, Robertsdale

•   Mary Ann's Deli, Fairhope

Thanks to the restaurants and volunteers who helped with this project.

Highlights from the Sexual Assault Program

Jean and Becky have been busy getting familiar with The Lighthouse and the services it provides, as well as learning about the other agencies in the community. In a continued effort to extend services to Escambia County, Jerry and Jean participated in a meeting of the Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County in October. Also Tammy and Jacki presented a dating violence/date rape program to students at Escambia County High School.

Tammy and Jacki continue to do a great job of reaching students in area schools. In October, they reached 500 middle and high school students, along with 30 students from Faulkner, with information on prevention of dating violence and sexual assault.

Becky, who is a certified SHARP (Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention) instructor, presented a training for The Lighthouse staff on Prevention Psychology of Harassment and Sexual Assault in November.

CONGRATULATIONS to the volunteers who completed the sexual assault training in September, 2001.

The next training for sexual assault volunteers will be in February 2002. Call Becky for further information- 251-947-6196.

Welcome New Board Members

Mary Burns

Kathy Dobbins

Connie Torre- Tasso

Connie Whiddon

Denise Yonge

The Lighthouse 2002
Board of Directors

Abby Hamilton, President

Linda Koniar, Vice-President

Nancy Bell, Secretary

Liz Duryea, Treasurer

Mary Burns

Katchie Cane

Jewel Campbell

Kathy Dobbins

Mary Ann Halliday

Joan Hand

Janie Houser

Ken Johnson

Karol Kemp

Phyllis Klumpp

Lee Mitchell

Jane Penry

Rennie Pittman

Lee Rencher

Ron Shaddix

Connie Torre-Tasso

Connie Whiddon

Raymond Wingard

Art Yaroch

Denise Yonge

Congratulations!

October 29. 2001, was proclaimed Law Enforcement Appreciation Day by the Alabama Coalition Against Rape. At the local level, The Lighthouse nominated Lt. Chris Browning of the Fairhope Police Department to be considered for the "Golden Shield Award" for his outstanding contribution in the field of sexual assault. On October 29, in a ceremony held in the Archives Room at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, Lt. Browning was honored by the Alabama Coalition Against Rape for his work in the area of sexual assault, and was treated to a special lunch at Copeland's.

Congratulations, Lt. Browning, on your nomination! We are so proud to have you working with us to help those in need of assistance.

Volunteer Spotlight

Karla  is recognized as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Karla started working with the Sexual
Assault Program in September of 2000. She completed her required 20 hours of training at that time, and has been on-call for hospital crisis work since.

Karla regularly attends additional in-services and also has volunteered her time for other events, including the BAN Conference, the Honeybee Festival, the County Fair and Sexual Assault Awareness Month events. She has also helped with the donation shop.

Many thanks to Karla for all the work she does. 

Staff  Update

Jean has taken the Sexual Assault Counselor position. Jean is from Fairhope originally. She recently returned from Texas, where she worked with sexual assault victims for the past three years. Jean and her husband, Ron, have two sons.

The Sexual Assault Specialist position has been filled by Becky , who recently moved to Fairhope from Selma, where she initiated the sexual assault program for Sabra Sanctuary, Inc. Becky has a son and daughter.

Volunteer Corner

Congratulations to new volunteers who completed their basic Domestic Violence training on November 13, 2001. They will be working in various capacities in the coming months such as helping with donations during the holidays and working with the children. They all want to receive further training in order to be more directly involved with The Lighthouse shelter.

Thanks to alt the volunteers who worked so hard during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. They worked at the county fair, at the walk in Daphne, at the Honeybee Festival in Robertsdale, at the donation shop sale and at the Women's Wellness Fair at the Riviera Centre.

Volunteers are currently needed in all areas especially as court advocates.

The next basic volunteer training will be held in February, Call Judy for further information. (251) 947-6197

What can you say to a victim of abuse?

• I am afraid for you safety

• I am afraid for the safety of your children

• It will get worse

• I am here for you when you are ready to leave

• You do not deserve to be abused

REDUCING THE RISK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

• Express what you want clearly. Make it clear what your limits are before you get into a sexual situation.

• Avoid secluded places (such as parks, deserted beaches, etc.)

• Party by the buddy system. Check in with your friends, if anything seems strange, leave immediately.

• If someone attacks you, shout fight or fire.

• Avoid alcohol and other drugs.

• Never leave your drink alone or take a drink from anyone other than a bartender or waitress. Do not accept drinks from a punch bowl or open container.

•   Arrange your own transportation by taking your own car or riding with a group.

• Always bring your own money on a date so that you will have cab fare or telephone money to call someone to come and get you.

•   Find out as much as possible about your date before you go out with him/her.

• Before leaving on a date, know your exact plans for the evening and make sure a friend or parent knows these plans and what time to expect you home.

• Don't be afraid to stick up for yourself. If you feel uncomfortable about doing something or going somewhere say No.

• If you are leaving a party with someone you do not know very well, make sure you fell a trusted friend you are leaving and with whom. It is even safer if you ask that friend to call and make sure you arrived home safely.

• Trust your instincts! If a situation makes you uncomfortable, get out as soon as possible.

The Lighthouse Sexual Assault Program

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