Opportunities to Raise Awareness - DVAM

This has been an amazing first half of October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Though it has been a few weeks of constant performances, speaking engagements and opportunities to meet new and interesting people who share a common passion - ending domestic abuse, I have enjoyed every busy minute.
On October 6, John and I presented Control.Assault.Delete at Mesa Community College to a room of about 50-75 students/faculty members. The response was very rewarding and one young lady in particular stands out in my mind, when she cried on my shoulder, saying, "I was your daughter for 4 years." - meaning that she lived Lisa's life for a time, but she got out and now is moving forward to a good life. So many young men and women in the audience came forward to thank us and asked if they could give me a hug.
On October 12, Vickie Florschuetz, Bravery Project, and I spoke to a group of faculty from MCC Red Mountain Campus. Vickie spoke about the importance of raising awareness and the statistics that were reflective of DV on college campuses. I told Lisa's Story and many were moved to tears as I told of her journey through a 9-yr relationship.
We traveled to Yuma to AZ Western College for a performance of Control.Assault.Delete on October 16 in the AZW Theater. Our thanks to Racine Amos for making that possible.
October 18, John and I were at Ft. McDowell for C.A.D, sponsored by the City Prosecutor's Office, and we were met with a warm reception as we told our story through theater.
Lisa's Birthday, October 19 was celebrated at Azusa Pacific University in California. I spoke to 50+ young women that evening. The hugs and tears were freely shared and it was a truly rewarding experience. The Clothesline Project had been in progress for the preceding week and someone had made a T-shirt for Lisa - very sweet gesture and much appreciated.
As an added treat, my ASU Intern from last year, Whitney, drove from LA where she lives now to Azusa to spend the evening with me and the girls from APU. It was wonderful to see her and catch up on her life.
On October 21, we presented C.A.D at the Boy's and Girls Club facility in Apache Junction. This event was put together by Apache Junction Police Chief, Jerald Monahans. Our special thanks to Constance, who was attentive to all our needs. One young woman told me afterwards that she never really understood what she was putting her parents through when she was in a dangerous relationship until that evening.
Now we are looking forward to presenting Domestic Violence, The Musical? in Hobbs, NM on October 29, as a fundraising effort for Sheri's Memorial Fund. Jan Lobeck, Founder, has been working tirelessly with her volunteers and supporters to bring DVTM to the Hobbs community. We can hardly wait to be there.
So, as you can see, DVAM has been a busy time for Fix the Hurt. We love what we are doing and hope that in some small way we can make an impact to save lives and families. Until next month, be safe.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Another year, another october and another busy time for members of the domestic violence awareness movement.

September and October have brought me to some new places, new friends and amazing opportunities. One of the most exciting was the opportunity to again perform CONTROL.ASSAULT.DELETE at Perryville Women's Prison on Sept 23. The audience again was enthusiastic and made us feel that we had brought them something that they could relate to, learn from and share with one another. Deputy Warden Neese was gracious and we were pleased to be a part of that evening. Many thanks to Gina's Team and Sue Ellen Allen for making this possible.

The following day, Sue Ellen and I went to the Mingus Mountain Girls' School, near Prescott, AZ. It was amazing to meet the young women, hear their stories and share mine with them. The things they have suffered broke my heart. Some will go on to do great things and unfortunately there will be those that fall back into the trap that sent them to that school. Hopefully, the work of Gina's Team to bring speakers and new friends to them will help to give them confidence and the desire to walk a different path.

Earlier in the month of September, I spoke to Dr. Durfee's classes at ASU. As a result, I have a new intern YEAH!!!! She is so terrific. Jade is in her last year though, so I won't have her for long.

On Thursday, I did a training at Ft. McDowell Reservation at the request of the City Prosecutor's Office, then early, early Fri morning it was off to Luke Air Force Base for a breakfast/speaking engagement to kick off DV Awareness Month.

Following the breakfast, I presented to the Supreme Court Commission on Crime Victims. Friday night was the book launch for Sue Ellen's book, "The Slumber Party from Hell". It was great and she is a wonderful example of taking a terrible experience and using it to give hope to others.

On Wednesday, we will perform C.A.D at Mesa Community College. We are very excited for that performance.

I am excited that Vickie Florschuetz has spruced up the http://www.helpfixthehurt.org/ website. She made some amazing changes.

Lisa's birthday is October 19. Appropriate that I will be speaking to students at Azusa Pacific University on that day.

We are looking forward to performances at various locations in the Valley and in Yuma and then "Domestic Violence, The Musical?" in Hobbs the end of the month. Can't wait to see my friend Jan again.