The Domestic Violence Shelter is proud to introduce new board members and honor retiring several long-term members who are retiring from the board.
Executive Director Colleen Rice said, "We are thrilled to welcome our new board members who bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives. Their commitment to service and passion for our cause will undoubtedly help us continue our mission and expand our reach." Joining the board are Tiffany R. Mitchell, Coordinator, Belonging and Inclusion, at The Ohio State University at Mansfield; Miles Parsons, Executive Director of Wayfinders Ohio; Becky Harlan, VP of Operations at Sutton Bank; and Alicia Bailey, Director of HR & Finance at Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Mitchell expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I am both proud and honored to serve on the Board of Directors for The Domestic Violence Shelter Inc. It's an exciting time as the agency experiences growth and new opportunities. I look forward to leveraging my past experiences and my leadership abilities to provide advice as the shelter continues to look at new areas of growth." The sentiment was echoed by Parsons, who noted, "Having a soft-spot in my heart for all things non-profit and seeing all the wonderful ideas Colleen and her team have for the Shelter, I'm excited for the opportunity and hope to be a small part of her successes moving forward." Meanwhile, Harlan said, "I consider it a privilege to serve as a board member of The Domestic Violence Shelter, which serves a critical need for abuse survivors and their children, and our entire community. I am proud to represent Sutton Bank, who has been a supporter of the Shelter and the valuable and vital work they do." Bailey added, "I am honored and excited about the opportunity to serve on the Domestic Violence Shelter Board. I look forward to being part of a team dedicated to creating a safe haven for survivors, fostering hope, and working towards a future free from violence." Board President Jean LaBarge acknowledged the outgoing board members, saying, "We are grateful for the dedication and service of our retiring board members. Their contributions have been invaluable to our mission and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors." Retiring from the board after faithfully serving multiple terms are John Hower, Owner and Agent at Rinehart-Walters-Danner & Associate Insurance Agency, Inc.; Beth Malaska, Associate Relations Director at Park National Bank; and Rebecca Hergatt, Secretary / Treasurer at Hergatt Machine. The Domestic Violence Shelter extends its heartfelt thanks to the retiring members for their years of service and warmly welcomes the incoming board members as it continues to strive towards a future free from violence. About The Domestic Violence Shelter The Domestic Violence Shelter has been a beacon of support in Richland County since 1978, aiding survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. The shelter offers a safe haven, comprehensive support services, and resources to empower survivors to rebuild their lives, free from violence. For immediate assistance, our 24/7 hotline at 419-774-5840 is staffed by trained advocates ready to help.
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Are you / do you know a high schooler in Richland County, Ohio? High school students in the area can win a $250 prize for creating art in the categories of Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Collage, Digital Art, and Poetry.
The Domestic Violence Shelter of Richland County partnered with Ohio State University Mansfield is hosting “Expressions of the Heart: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Art & Poetry Juried Contest”. The event will take place at Bromfield Library on Ohio State University Mansfield Campus (1660 University Drive Mansfield, Ohio 44907) on February 27th, 2024, beginning at 7:30pm. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and we are asking students to create art and poetry sharing their perspectives, experiences, visions, and hopes for a world free from dating violence. After the judges' evaluation, winners in each of the six categories will receive $250 gift cards, and all students participating will receive a certificate of achievement and have their work showcased during the exhibition. Students can register to participate at https://forms.office.com/r/yvZjRJPRZG Submissions will be accepted starting February 1, 2024, and ending February 20, 2024. More information on Teen Dating Violence and “Expressions of the Heart: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Art & Poetry Juried Contest”, including the submission form, can be found at https://www.thedvshelter.com/tdvam.html . A CONVERSATION WITH JILL AND SHANNON
In the world of podcasts, there are those that entertain, those that inform, and then there are those that do something even more powerful - they inspire change. Diana Donovan's latest podcast episode does just that, as she invites two extraordinary guests from the Domestic Violence Shelter of Richland County, Jill Donnewirth and Shannon Hatfield.
Jill and Shannon are on the frontlines of a battle that is often misunderstood, overlooked, yet very real - the fight against domestic and sexual abuse. Their work at the shelter goes beyond providing a safe haven for survivors. They strive to educate, advocate, and bring about a shift in societal attitudes towards these grave issues. The Domestic Violence Shelter is excited to announce the upcoming launch of “Expressions Against Violence.” Expressions Against Violence is an initiative aimed at creating space for teens to address dating violence through their own passion and creativity. The initiative will take place in February 2024, which is nationally recognized as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. "Our goal is to provide a platform for young voices to be heard, spark thoughtful conversations, and inspire change," said Colleen Rice, Executive Director at The Domestic Violence Shelter. "Art and literature have always been powerful tools for social commentary and change. We believe our youth have unique perspectives and insights that can help us all understand these issues better." In this blog, we will explore some commonly used phrases that we should avoid when trying to support survivors of domestic violence. By understanding what not to say, we can create a safe and supportive environment for those who need it most.
Today, I want to share with you a story of transformation and hope. It's my story. The story of how I walked into the Richland County Domestic Violence Shelter with nothing more than the clothes on my back, and walked out with the strength and resources to start anew.
The Domestic Violence Shelter is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from The Richland County Foundation. This grant will fund clothing for sexual assault survivors who receive services at local emergency rooms.
The Richland County Foundation has generously awarded a grant to The Domestic Violence Shelter to fund the provision of clothing to survivors of sexual assault who undergo Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exams at local hospitals. This grant will have a profound impact on the lives of survivors, ensuring they have access to the resources they need during a vulnerable time. SANE exams are a critical component of the care and support provided to survivors of sexual assault. These exams are conducted by specially trained nurses who collect evidence, provide medical care, and offer compassionate support to survivors. The Domestic Violence Shelter provides 24/7 SANE Advocacy. Every survivor is supported by a trained advocate who provides safety plans, resources and advocacy. As part of evidence collection, a survivor's clothing are typically collected for evidence. This grant will enable The Domestic Violence Shelter to offer comfortable clothing to survivors undergoing SANE exams, ensuring their dignity, comfort, and emotional well-being are prioritized during a difficult time The Domestic Violence Shelter is a leading organization in our community, providing comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. With this grant, they will be better equipped to offer holistic support to survivors who come to local emergency rooms for SANE exams. The grant will make a significant impact on the lives of these survivors and help them on their journey to healing and recovery. Thank you to The Richland County Foundation for supporting The Domestic Violence and survivors in our community! To learn more about The Richland County Foundation, visit their website at Home - Richland County Foundation IHEARTMEDIA ASHLAND/MANSFIELD partners with Buckeye Thrift and Mechanics Bank for the Annual Sami’s Toys for Kids Drive, benefiting children across Richland County
October 23th, 2023 (Mansfield, OH) – iHeartMedia Ashland/Mansfield radio stations (WNCO-FM, WXXF-FM, WMAN-AM, WYHT-FM, WFXN-FM, WNCO-AM and WSWR-FM) in partnership with Mechanics Bank, are proud to sponsor a campaign that was created by the late Sam Ramirez, to help provide the children of our community with toys for Christmas. From November 1st through the 30th listeners will be asked to donate new/gently used toys and monetary donations at all 9 Richland County Mechanics Bank locations. Special thanks to Office Depot of Ontario, for donating the barrel signs for the campaign. “Times are tough and many children in the communities we serve, go without Christmas gifts or toys. As a strong and reliable voice for our community, iHeartRADIO will use the power of 7 radio stations and lean-on the good will our listeners have, to help us collect these new/gently used toys or monetary donations”, said Chris Kelly, Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia, Ashland/Mansfield. |