To print a copy of the registration form; registration

Sponsorships are also MOST WELCOME.  To print a copy of the sponsorship form; Golf Outing 2012 1st Women’s Sponsorship

To donate prizes for this golf outing, please contact Barb at 724-856-4323 or bclingensmith@crisisishelter.org

We’re fighting for 0 violence and abuse and we need your help!

Did you know that:
~25% of women will experience abuse in their lifetime?
~1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by age 18?
~54% of students report dating violence among their peers?
~39 million child sexual abuse survivors exist in America?
~77% of kids between the ages of 8 and 15 report being bullied?

The Crisis Shelter provides critical and life-saving programming and services that focus on victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes;  helping them when they are most vulnerable and giving them hope and resources for a brighter future.

Your gift to the Annual Campaign will support emergency shelter, transitional housing, violence prevention in the schools, community awareness, counseling services, legal and medical advocacy, and training to law enforcement, community partners, businesses, community groups, and civic organizations.

Community Events to support the fight against CHILD ABUSE:

Successful “WALK FOR JUSTICE/JAMMIN’ FOR JUSTICE” at Cascade Park 

Community members braved the chilly weather on Saturday, April 28th, to support the Crisis Shelter in their fight against Child Abuse.  But, cold weather didn’t dampen the spirits or the determination of students from area schools from coming out to help raise awareness as well as money for the Crisis Shelter.  Teams made up of businesses, schools and individuals walked the loop around Cascade Park in this first ever Walk For Justice.    The remainder of the day, Jammin For Justice, was made possible by a grant from Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).  Featured were a strongman, strongwoman competition, a Tree of Justice for little one’s hand prints, the New Castle Crime Scene Van, NC Fire Fighters Smokehouse, Intimidation Tank (dunking booth), and a K-9 officer demonstration. Music rounded out the day’s activities. 

                         Awards were presented for the most money raised in the following categories:

~~Most money raised by a business – First Merit Bank
~~Most money raised by an individual – Nancy Bergey
~~Most money raised by a school group – Shenango

Thank You to:

Officer Tommy Costa – Dunk Tank

Officer Bucker, Officer Hauser and K-9 Officer, Bronco

Chief Maciarello – Fire Safety House

Officer Conti – Crime Scene Van

Mahoning Township Fire Department

Officer Nativio – Neshannock

Dana Everhardt – speaker

Scratch Factory – DJ services

Andy Root, Body Structures Fitness

Richard Kerr – Baltimore Life Insurance Company

Bill DeFelice – Billy D’s Concessions

Sue Ascione – Children’s Advocacy Center

Kate Fee Baird – District Attorney’s Office

Allyson Wolfe – Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Faraone Brothers Restaurant

Mayor Mastrangelo – Cascade Park

Thank you to all staff and volunteers who helped make the day possible.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Grant Received

The Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The week of April 22 – 28, 2012, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). 

This annual observance seeks to increase general public awareness of, and knowledge about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime.  The theme for 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.”

Child sexual abuse is a hidden, quiet crime.  It is the goal of the Crisis Shelter to shine a light on this issue and bring the Lawrence County community together to take a stand and make a statement against abuse.  The goal of the Believe Me When I Tell campaign is to prevent child sexual abuse.  The community can help by displaying a yard sign during the month of April making the statement, We Believe You When You Tell.  Last year, nearly 3,000 county residents displayed signs!   Stop by the Crisis Shelter at 1218 West State Street, New Castle, PA to pick up signs to display in your yard telling your neighborhood children that We Will Believe Them When They Tell.  If you are not able to pick up signs, please call 724-652-9036 for delivery. 

http://youtu.be/LLirC5aXePw

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; but, it takes a concerned, educated, aware community to nurture a healthy child.  When we collectively tell children that we will believe them when they tell, we raise a generation of self-aware children who may have the inspired confidence to speak up when they feel uncomfortable, and perhaps even before devastating, life-changing abuse occurs. 

 April Awareness Events:

• Walk For Justice & Jammin’ For Justice - April 28th at Cascade Park    http://crisisshelter.org/2012/02/21/walk-for-justice/
• Virtual Texting Rally – Text BELIEVE to 94253   http://crisisshelter.org/2012/03/20/text-believe-to-94253/

To see a list of Believe Me When I Tell awareness materials available from the Crisis Shelter, please visit our awareness resource page http://crisisshelter.org/awareness-resources/

Believe Me When I Tell is partially funded by the Caroline Knox Charitable Trust, the Margaret L. Henry Charitable Trust and the Almira Foundation.

Why This Is Important

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that does not allow experts to testify in sex abuse cases. House Bill 1264 would allow experts to address questions about victim behavior in sex assault cases, including why a person abused in childhood might wait for decades to report the assaults.

This bill has already passed in the State House in Pennsylvania by a 197-0 margin. But since last June 2011, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, has not done a thing about it, telling the Philadelphia Weekly that he has concerns about it. (15 Dec 2011 ‘PA’s Backward Expert-Witness Law Creates Advantage for Jerry Sandusky’ by Tara Murtha)

Chillingly, as the trial for Sandusly approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports, “In Pennsylvania legal circles Mr. Amendola is known for attacking the credibility of alleged victims, especially those in sexual-assault cases.” (16 Dec 2011 ‘Sandusky’s Lawyer Defends Himself’ by John W. Miller and Jennifer Smith)

With Sandusky’s lawyer getting ready to attack the credibility of the alleged victims it is time for Sen. Greenleaf to stop stalling and pass 1264.

“If victims finally get the courage to come forward and report the abuse, they should not be further victimized by having the very normal behaviors and reactions of a sex assault victim looked upon as abnormal by a court or jury who simply isn’t educated in these things.”

                                                       -Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, co-sponsor of House Bill 1264

To sign the petition and/or write a letter visit:      http://www.change.org/petitions/pennsylvania-state-senator-greenleaf-12th-district-pass-house-bill-1264-allowing-experts-to-testify-in-sex-assault-cases

Thank You to everyone who attended our 30th Anniversary
Gala Auction on February 25, 2012. 

           The auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year and you helped make the event successful by attending.  Our live auction included approximately 40 high end items and our silent auction and other raffles made it a fun evening.  Again, thank you!

Exciting menu items included Grilled Duck Breast and Portebello on a Tortilla, Lobster Bisque, Wild King Salmon on Creamed Leeks, Diver Scallop en Croute, Cepes Mushroom Duxelle, Butternut Squash Risotto, and Roasted Banana Crepe with Chocolate Mousse.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Event – Forever Broadcasting
Sommelier – Berner International
Reception & Dessert – Greenville Savings Bank
Flowers – Butz Flowers & Gifts
Invitations – Columbia Gas
Epicurean – Nancy & Ron Bergey
Wine Flight – Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & George, P.C.

Partners in Gastronomy:
Avalon Nursing Center
Bookminders
Peter & Amy Labi-Carando
ESB Bank – Shenango, Neshannock, Ellwood City
Harry & Debbie Grafton
Marvin & Gerry Lebby
Matty & Darlene Medure
Sydney & Dottie Paul
Dale & Michele Perelman
Thomas & Diane Piccione
Jonathan & Nanette Solomon
Curtis & Jean Speight
Larry & Janet Verone
Frank & Beth Verterano
Bill & Betty Zbegan