How You Can Help
For me, it all began with a simple question: "How can I help?" In 2006, I sent an email to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "I'm a survivor. I'm back on my feet again," I wrote. "How can I help?"
I knew how difficult it was to get my life back in shape, and had seen the struggles of the other women in my support group as we each tried to start our lives over. It was most difficult, by far, for the women with young children. Housing, school, food, phones, transportation, legal fees... many of our support group sessions began with them swapping tips on how to simply survive another day. How they found the energy to also focus on the emotional work of counseling, I don't know. But they did it.
I'm back on my feet, and my goal is to be a voice, and to help others have a voice. I use my writing, my photography, and my money.
For me, it all began with a simple question: "How can I help?" In 2006, I sent an email to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "I'm a survivor. I'm back on my feet again," I wrote. "How can I help?"I knew how difficult it was to get my life back in shape, and had seen the struggles of the other women in my support group as we each tried to start our lives over. It was most difficult, by far, for the women with young children. Housing, school, food, phones, transportation, legal fees... many of our support group sessions began with them swapping tips on how to simply survive another day. How they found the energy to also focus on the emotional work of counseling, I don't know. But they did it.
I'm back on my feet, and my goal is to be a voice, and to help others have a voice. I use my writing, my photography, and my money.
How about you? Would you like to help? There are many ways; here are a few:
1. Listen. Someone you know has a story they need to tell. To tell their story, they need someone who will listen. You can be that person. Sometimes, we just need to hear ourselves say our own story out loud. We need to know someone heard us, and still loves us. You can be that person who listens, and still loves.
2. Be there. Someone you know may be ready, someday, to do more than tell their story. They may be ready to get out, and start over. This is a heroic challenge. Sometimes, it doesn't work the first time. Or the second time. But then, one day, it might work. You can be there, and can let them know you'll be there.
3. Give. You can donate money or time or goods to your local domestic violence service agency. They are almost always non-profit organizations that rarely have enough of any of those things, especially money. The local agencies provide a variety of services, depending on the area. Some agencies are fortunate enough to have emergency housing available. Other agencies are nothing more than a small office where women and children can go to talk to a counselor or meet with a legal advocate. I got all of my counseling at an agency that had emergency housing; I went to their shelter once or twice a week for two years for my counseling sessions, and was charged nothing.
4. Buy books. Profits from our book, "31", will go to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). ICADV is my partner on this project. They are a non-profit coalition of domestic violence agencies in Iowa, and work on projects that help the local agencies. Buy books for yourself, your local schools and library, your local domestic violence agency, church, or doctor's office waiting room.
1. Listen. Someone you know has a story they need to tell. To tell their story, they need someone who will listen. You can be that person. Sometimes, we just need to hear ourselves say our own story out loud. We need to know someone heard us, and still loves us. You can be that person who listens, and still loves.
2. Be there. Someone you know may be ready, someday, to do more than tell their story. They may be ready to get out, and start over. This is a heroic challenge. Sometimes, it doesn't work the first time. Or the second time. But then, one day, it might work. You can be there, and can let them know you'll be there.
3. Give. You can donate money or time or goods to your local domestic violence service agency. They are almost always non-profit organizations that rarely have enough of any of those things, especially money. The local agencies provide a variety of services, depending on the area. Some agencies are fortunate enough to have emergency housing available. Other agencies are nothing more than a small office where women and children can go to talk to a counselor or meet with a legal advocate. I got all of my counseling at an agency that had emergency housing; I went to their shelter once or twice a week for two years for my counseling sessions, and was charged nothing.
4. Buy books. Profits from our book, "31", will go to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). ICADV is my partner on this project. They are a non-profit coalition of domestic violence agencies in Iowa, and work on projects that help the local agencies. Buy books for yourself, your local schools and library, your local domestic violence agency, church, or doctor's office waiting room.