Donor Highlight: Michelle Dearing

Donor Highlight: Michelle Dearing, Co-Founder, Midtown Associates at NWA Realty Group

Michelle’s Story:

I unexpectedly found myself in a position of being a single mother with two young children (ages 1 and 7, at the time). I had an education to help me provide for my family. I had friends and family who helped encourage and support me as I faced new challenges as a single, working mom. It was still hard for me, as it is for a lot of single, working mothers. I had to work hard and be strong to provide the best home for my children.

My heart goes out to those mothers who are living in abusive and unsafe homes and who are facing the decision to leave or to stay. Many may not have the resources or the education I had to fall back on to provide for their families. Their decisions to leave to find safety for themselves and their children require an extraordinary amount of strength and courage.

I want these mothers to know that mothers like me admire their courage. For three years now, I have supported the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter each month because I want to help give mothers who make that decision to leave their abusers the best opportunity to survive and thrive. For almost 29 years, the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter has provided emergency safe shelter for mothers who make the best, but very difficult, decision to leave abusive and violent homes, not knowing what their future holds. Their stay at the NWA Women’s Shelter may literally save their lives and their children’s lives, while also giving a new beginning to a life that restores hope and ends the cycle of abuse and violence.

Michelle Dearing served on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter from 2014 – 2015. Michelle was also the Treasurer during her time on the Board.

Thank you, Michelle, for your tireless efforts advocating for mothers in Northwest Arkansas who make the decision to live without the fear of violence in their lives!

You can join Michelle in supporting the mothers and children seeking refuge at NWAWS by making a one-time donation or signing up as a sustaining donor to make a recurring gift. Click below or call for more details.
Donate online or call Terri Post: (479) 246-0353 ext. 108

Written by John McGee volunteer-appreciation-month April is National Volunteer Awareness Month. bns gold Frequently we forget to recognize our volunteers, and all too frequently we forget to recognize those volunteers who helped build an organization. Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter, originally incorporated as the Benton County Women’s Shelter in August 1986, would not still be in existence without the help of volunteers. ASICS PAS CHER FR Very early in our history, a group of individuals created the Benton County Women’s Shelter Auxiliary. The purpose of the Auxiliary was “to provide an opportunity for caring persons to assist the Benton County Women’s Shelter Project in their very important work with battered women and their children.” As reflected in a brochure produced by the Soroptimist International of Northwest Arkansas dated September 28, 1988, the purpose of the project was “to actually establish a shelter…” That brochure contains a sample of a card advising individuals on a number to call, what to take if leaving an abusive relationship, and advice on why one might call a domestic violence hotline. goedkoop nike air max 2017 By November of 1988, the auxiliary was organized with elected leaders, a dues structure, a purpose of raising resources for a shelter, and a campaign to educate the community on the issues of domestic violence. These volunteers organized seminars, brought in speakers, produced informational press releases, and started raising funds to fulfill their purpose. In a January 1989 appeal for members, the auxiliary recorded its purpose as “formed to assist the Project in fund raising and volunteer services.”

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Invitation to the First Membership Tea of the Rogers Unit of the Benton County Women’s Shelter Auxiliary

For the next eight years the auxiliary grew, developed multiple units, created a thrift store, and became a power within the organization because of its ability generate revenue. At one point the funds generated by the auxiliary represented close to 40% of all the operating funds accessible by the organization. nike air max pas cher Many of the contributions these founding volunteers provided still shape how we operate. While the thrift store generates only about 20% of our current overall operating revenue, the shelter would not be in existence today without the income-generating power of the thrift store. Many individuals, particularly Jamie Percell, were crucial in creating and establishing the foundation of the thrift store. Originally known as the Friendship House Thrift Store, the NWA Women’s Shelter Thrift Store (now located at 1622 W. 8th Street in Rogers) is still dependent upon the help and assistance of dedicated volunteers. To each and every individual who has ever volunteered at the shelter, in the thrift store (regardless of the name it carried), with a fundraising activity that benefited the Benton County Women’s Shelter/Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter, or who served on our volunteer Board of Directors, thank you. Our professional staff know we accomplish what we do because you make it possible. Early on, nearly everything we did was reliant on the kindness, talent, and time of volunteers. As we grew, more and more work shifted to the staff. Today, as a relatively new individual in the history of this shelter, I recognize that everything I do or that my wonderful and talented staff does is an effort to build on the contributions of volunteers—volunteers who decided the region needed a shelter, the community needed to be educated on the issues, and the resources needed to be identified to make it happen have been, and continue to be, essential to our work. I know this might be too late for some, but on behalf of everyone connected with the NWA Women’s Shelter today, thank you, thank you, thank you for your labor of love, for your dedication, and for your support. For those who are still able, you are more than welcome to join us again however you might be able to participate. Chaussures ASICS Gel Glorify pour Femme The mission of the auxiliary is still as relevant and important to us today in our work to empower families to live free of violence as it was in 1988.

Pictured (left to right): Sheri Hammond (Volunteer Coordinator), Darrell Darner, Mikayla Irvin, Laura Rogers, Christine Sheldon, Gladis Sandoval-Guzman; Not pictured: Harvey Millar, Judy Schaible, Matt TiceCongratulations to our Outstanding Volunteers!

We are grateful to have so many volunteers supporting our causes and every year we like to take the opportunity to recognize them for all of the “free” work that they do. air max pas cher pour homme From assisting clients in shelter, pricing donations at our Thrift Store, and helping to organize our events, volunteers are the people who keep us running. This November, we want to thank every person for their contribution—whether large or small. nike air max 1 goedkoop We are forever grateful for your help, smiling faces, and commitment to the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter and the clients we serve.

Winners of this year’s Outstanding Volunteer awards were:

Outstanding Board Member: Harvey Millar

Outstanding Teen Volunteer: Mikayala Irvin

Outstanding Thrift Store Volunteer: Christine Sheldon

Outstanding Committee Volunteer: Matt Tice

Outstanding Weekend Volunteer: Laura Rogers

Most Faithful Shelter Volunteer: Judy Schaible

Most Versatile Volunteer: Darrell Darner

Outstanding Intern: Gladis Sandoval-Guzman

 

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

Harvey Millar was awarded Outstanding Board Member for his commitment to the organization along with his leadership during our Fresh StART event. Harvey joined the board in January 2015 and we are looking forward to his continued involvement in 2016.

“Miss Judy” as we affectionately refer to her, received the award for Most Faithful Shelter Volunteer. nike tn requin 2017 pas cher Judy has been volunteering with our organization for more than 8 years as a shelter volunteer. As a retiree, Judy brings her energy, care, and love to both the clients and staff of NWAWS and we are grateful for her weekly commitment to us.

Matt Tice is a crucial member of our volunteer team. air max He is a leader on two event committees (Champions In Heels & Fresh StART) and contributed well over 120 hours to our organization in 2015.