NWAWS-MJR

Builders of Hope is a new giving program to recognize compassionate and dedicated donors who donate monthly . . .

. . . because they want to see individuals transformed from being victims of abuse and violence to survivors who lead violence-free lives;

. . . because they want to see children given new skills for conflict resolution that do not include violence;

. . . because they believe in providing HOPE to break the cycle of abuse now and for future generations, one person and one family at a time.

“[Because of the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter], I can keep my baby alive and prevent my other children from seeing violence. I can breathe and not walk on eggshells. I have a chance to turn things around. I can break a cycle by recognizing red flags and by having a safety plan. For some of us, it [the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter] is our only hope.”

Every dollar received each month is an investment toward giving HOPE to shelter residents and to outreach clients who desire peaceful homes and healthy relationships.

When 250 donors contribute $50 each month,

residents fleeing violence are given a safe place to reside temporarily and a HOPE for a rebuilt life while they chart their actions plans to separate from their abusers, as donors at this level are together covering the cost of the monthly lease.

When 144 donors contribute $25 each month,

clients have access to a professional staff that provides a supportive environment, access to resources, and accountability as clients learn how to move beyond abusive relationships with a HOPE of future relationships defined by healthy boundaries, as donors at this level are together covering the cost of payroll taxes.

When 60 donors contribute $10 each month,

residents have a confident HOPE they are safe, as donors at this level are together covering the cost of the security system.

When 34 donors contribute $5 each month,

clients are ensured transportation to and from court hearings where their HOPE for continued protection is petitioned before a judge, as donors at this level are together covering the cost for gasoline and maintenance of both Shelter vehicles.

to all of our monthly donors,

the Builders of Hope!

Will you consider becoming a monthly donor because you believe in giving hope to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault?

Join today as a recurring donor, a Builder of Hope!

Reflections from 2015 NWAWS residents describing how they feel as a result of their stay. In 2015, the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter (NWAWS) provided temporary, emergency safe shelter and other services, on average, to 20 adults each month.

Our clients who resided in-shelter benefited from the following–at no cost to them.

Room, with a private bath, and utilities, paidFood, and access to a communal kitchen with cooking appliances, cookware, and dishes, allowing our residents to cook for themselves and their familiesBasic living essentials (toiletries, over-the-counter medicine, laundry detergent, etc.)Transportation financial assistance (as permitted by available funding) to/from work, school, medical appointments, court and other legal appointments, and job interviews24-7 access to a computer lab to create resumes, apply for jobs, and connect with familyProfessional advocacy services to identify personal goals of safety, create action plans for the future, and to connect clients with other community resources

While our clients do not pay, the cost (updated to today’s operational expenses) is $75 per day per adult.

Our name, the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter, implies that we provide shelter to women. But did you know, we are unique as we allow men who choose to end abuse and violence in their lives to also live in our Shelter? We do not discriminate in the provision of our services by age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disability, citizenship status, or any other legally-protected classification.

(And almost half of our residents are children. We will provide more details regarding the children we serve in a later highlight.)

Other basic information about our Shelter’s adult clients who lived in-shelter in 2015:

The largest age group of adults living in our shelter is 18-29.The average household income, with the abuser’s income removed, was a little more than $7,300.Spanish was the primary language for 7% of our residents. Our bilingual professional advocacy staff, administrative staff, and volunteers eliminate language barriers in supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.42% shared that they had witnessed domestic violence as a child. One in four had been molested as a child. We are committed to helping adults and families break the cycle of violence and abuse NOW—for both their lives now and for their children’s futures.Just under half of our residents lived in Benton County. Another 33% of our residents were from the other counties in the Northwest Arkansas region we serve: Carroll County, Madison County, and Washington County. In the efforts to escape from their abusers, the remaining residents came from other counties in the state and from other states (California, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin).

NWAWS also supports and provides safe shelter for victims of sexual violence who meet our eligibility requirements–another unique service we provide within our Northwest Arkansas region.

Nationally, studies show that 8% of victims of domestic violence experience sexual violence by their intimate partners. One in four of our residents in 2015 were victims of sexual violence, in addition to other forms of violence, abuse, and control.

And a small percentage (2%) shared they were victims of human/sex trafficking.

(In photo: Stephanie Irvine, John McGee, Merritt Royal, David Lang, and Kasey Bare)

Thank you, Embassy Suites!!!

We are especially grateful for the generosity and partnership of Embassy Suites.

Embassy Suites hosts Trick or Suite, a family-oriented trick-or-treating event for children of Northwest Arkansas who are affected by illness, or physical and/or learning disabilities. Northwest businesses and nonprofits come together to provide a fun, interactive evening for children–thanks to the hard work and compassionate vision of Embassy Suites and its staff!

We are honored to be affiliated with Trick or Suite–and especially to be one of the beneficiaries of the event.

To learn how your company can be a part of the 2016 Trick or Suite, contact Kasey Bare, 479.845.3211.

Special thanks to Painting with a Twist for partnering with us to provide an afternoon with laughter and memories with friends (new and familiar!) as we paint with a purpose!

Join us January 31, 2016, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. as we paint an Arkansas Sunset!

To register, go to Painting with A Purpose for NWAWS.

We were overwhelmed with the support shown to our Giving Tuesday campaign! We exceeded our goal of $2000 in donations and we cannot say how thankful we are to all of you that donated.

Your donation helps – no matter how big or small. This time of year the services provided by the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter are needed more than ever. Holidays should be a time for peace and joy but, for those who will come to the shelter, their holiday season will have been filled with fear and violence.

As well as providing safe shelter and practical assistance, we also provide families that spend their Christmas with us a festive meal and gifts – all of which have been donated by the community.

Nearly half of those who use the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter are children and we strive to ensure that these children receive a little something from Santa on Christmas morning.

If you would like to donate a gift please contact Amber at alacewell@nwaws.org or 479 246 0353 ext 103.

Thank you, Walmart Finance Division!

Representatives from the Walmart Finance Division designated the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter to receive a community grant. This grant provides 16 days of safe shelter for one person (one woman or one child or one man) to reside in the Shelter–at no cost to that person–with access to advocacy, housing, food, clothing, and other basic necessities.

Collectively, our donors are empowering individuals and families break the cycle of abuse and live violence-free.

Thank you, Bella Vista Assembly of God!

Another Shelter room completed! The group from Bella Vista Assembly of God returned to redecorate “their” room. They painted, bought new furniture, spruced up some older pieces, and generally made it so welcoming. Their room can accommodate sleeping arrangements for a family of five.

We cannot say enough nice things about our community partners! Volunteers are critical to meeting the needs of our clients.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Sheri Hammond, shammond@nwaws.org, 479-246-0353, ext. 250.

One in four. 1:4. 25%.

These are just different ways to write-out the number of people who experience violence or a fear of violence. In the majority of situations, this violence is carried out by someone whom the victim knows personally—they are betrayed by someone who is supposed to love them or care about them.

In Northwest Arkansas, the number of victims is estimated to be around 125,000. To put that number into context, it represents all the residents of Bentonville, Berryville, Huntsville, and Springdale combined.

When one of these 125,000 faces violence, where can they go for help? Many have the support network of family and friends to get out of the situation. Some try to leave and, sadly, do not make it as their abusers find out and further terrorize them and their children. Some are even killed by their abusers.

Others seek help from emergency safe shelters, like the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter. In 2014 alone, 546 individuals resided in our Shelter (47% of those were children). Their time in the Shelter was spent trying to get beyond the immediate trauma and chaos they had just experienced, trying to breathe on their own again, and trying to think without being yelled at or intimidated. Some of our clients spend a lot of time resting as they have not experienced the feelings of safety and of peace for a long time.

Their time at the Shelter is also a time to refocus. Through support groups and one-on-one advocacy, the isolation they felt in their abusive environments slowly disappears. As our clients transform from victims to survivors, they begin to see the paths they need to take to keep themselves and their children safe.

That journey from victim to survivor is different for every person. Domestic violence shelters exist to provide hope for a better future. We provide the safe and supportive environment survivors need to continue their journeys toward healthier relationships and productive lives.

To continue providing that hope, shelters like ours rely upon the help of community members who want to help build a future for the community that is free of violence. We look to faith-based groups, corporations, and individuals who want to stand against domestic and sexual violence. The negative impact of domestic and sexual violence can improve in Northwest Arkansas only when we are all involved.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Will you consider taking your stand with the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter beginning this month to help? With a gift of $50 per month, you can provide the gift of safety and hope for one woman, child, or man each month. As a “Builder of Hope,” you help lay the foundation for a future that is violence free, one person at a time.

You may join other like-minded Builders of Hope today as together we work toward promoting a community that values abuse- and violence-free homes. Learn more about becoming a Builder of Hope today.

Highlight #3–Builders of Hope