Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting October 21, 2019

President Candy Yoder opened the meeting and introduced Aileac Deegan, who shared an Irish blessing, led the Pledge, and Four-Way Test.  

Welcome table volunteers were David Smith, Bob Homan, and guests were introduced by Nick Corpe and included Dave Miller and Vonnie Trumble (Candy Yoder) Stephanie Anderson (Tom Shoff), Steve Gruber (Jim Rieckhoff), Sally Wicks (Bill Burton), and Erin Shultz (Tom Shoff). Welcome to ALL, we hope you can all join us again some other time!

Announcements and continued reminders for October 21:

• Susan Ginther thanked volunteers who helped on October 17 with our international service project: "Dresses for Girls in Guatemala". The project's goal is to have 30 dresses complete and ready to send by Christmas, delivered to the Guatemalan village of San Gaspar de Chajul. This effort can be a life changing experience for the girls who'll receive these gifts. You're welcome to provide supplies from a wish list on the sheet attached below, or you can always provide a monetary gift to help with the cost of supplies or shipping. Thanks for your help with this international project.

• Doug Risser shared important news about Rotary’s effort to eradicate polio: Since 1988, we’ve seen a worldwide reduction in polio cases of 99.9%. For more than two years, we’ve seen wild polio cases in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Very soon, Nigeria will be declared Polio-Free, and makes the entire continent of Africa POLIO-FREE! This year’s #WorldPolioDay on October 24 is an opportunity to rally the world around the fight to eradicate polio forever. 
• Fran Conner, on behalf of the Care Committee, asked for club member information that can give us reasons to celebrate; Birthdays, Anniversaries, births of children/grandchildren, etc.
• A reminder from Doug that an upcoming friendship exchange that will take place March 1-14, 2020 to Sao Paolo, Brazil. For more information contact Doug directly.
• December 6 is the Salvation Army Gala - - If you're interested in attending, contact Peter Norton. The Elkhart Rotary Club is being honored this year by Salvation Army and the club is considering filling a table to support the event.

  

Today's speakers were introduced by Eric Garton: Susan Tybon, President and CEO of YWCA North Central Indiana and Aaron Bradford, Director of Development, who presented a variety of important topics surrounding Domestic Violence Awareness and Issues, including that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (#DVAM2019).

 

About YWCA: 

What We Do: YWCA North Central Indiana is recognized as the leading advocate for women and children in our community. Women come to us to escape violence and build brighter, healthier, empowered lives for themselves and their children. We help them escape domestic violence and transform their lives for the better.
Our Mission: YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all

 

What IS domestic violence?

The willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of POWER and CONTROL perpetrated by another person. It includes:

• Physical
• Sexual
• Emotional/Psychological
• Verbal
• Financial
• Stalking
• Spiritual

What do the numbers say about domestic violence?

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (CDC, 2017)
• Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work per year in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

 

 

 

Warning signs to look for in the workplace:

• A recent change in work habits.
• An unusual number of phone calls/text messages, reluctance to converse or respond to phone/text messages.
• Co-workers receive insensitive or insulting messages intended for the colleague experiencing abuse.
• Disruptive personal visits to workplace by present or former partner or spouse.
• Questions about whereabouts from a spouse or former spouse.
• Absenteeism or lateness for work.
• Requests for special accommodations such as requests to leave early or to change schedules.
• Reluctance to leave work.
• Obvious injuries such as bruises, black eyes, broken bones, hearing loss — these are often attributed to “falls,” “being clumsy,” or “accidents.”
• Clothing that is inappropriate for the season, such as long sleeves and turtlenecks — also wearing sunglasses and unusually heavy makeup.
• Minimization or denial of harassment or injuries.
• Isolation; unusually quiet and keeping away from others.
• Emotional distress or flatness, tearfulness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
• Signs of anxiety and fear.
• Sensitivity about home life or hints of trouble at home — comments may include references to bad moods, anger, temper, and alcohol or drug abuse.
• Fear of job loss.
• Lack of access to money.

How can you help a potential victim of abuse?

• DO NOT directly confront the abuser.
• Create a non-judgmental environment.
• Be supportive and listen; let the person know that you are available to help at any point in time, and that you will respect his or her choices. 
• Escort them to and from their vehicle or public transportation.
• Provide information about the people and resources the employee can turn to in the workplace and community for help and support. 
• URGE THEM TO CALL 1-866-YES-YWCA for 24/7 support (in case of life-threatening emergencies, they should call 9-1-1!)

Keep in mind that...

• Many times the victim doesn’t realize he/she needs help.
• It can be very hard to admit or talk about intimate partner violence.
• The survivor might be too ashamed to ask for help
• The survivor might not know where to seek help.
• It can take 7-9 tries to leave an abusive relationship.

YWCA's North Central Indiana's impact in our community:

• ONLY Domestic Violence Shelter in the area
• Provide Safety
• Awareness and Education 
• Empowerment of women and men
• Collaboration with other agencies 

Shelter and Services Provided:

• Emergency Shelter
• Crisis Services
• Transportation
• Food
• Clothing
• Counseling 
• Job Readiness/Retention
• Group Therapy
• Medical Attention
• Legal Services
• Early Child Development
• Economic Empowerment

About Susan Tybon: Susan is currently the President and CEO of YWCA North Central Indiana, which includes the Safe Haven Shelter on State St, here in Elkhart.  She brings to this position over twenty-five years of experience working in nonprofit management. Susan started the second cancer wellness center in the United States and is the founding Executive Director of the Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks. Her interest in women’s issues propelled her to work at the YWCA. Susan Tybon holds a Master’s degree in community health psychology and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Susan is a resident of Berrien Center, Michigan.

 

Thanks, Susan and Aaron, for a very informative presentation on a challenging and important topic.

If you would like to learn more about the YWCA's programs or would like to take a tour of the SafeHaven House in Elkhart, please contact Susan directly. For more information about YWCA of North Central Indiana and how you can support or get involved, visit their website.

 

• October 28: Apostle Michael A. Patton, topic to be announced
• November 4: Chancellor Dr. David Balkin, Ivy Tech: Updates from the campus to the community with new Chancellor Dr. David Balkin
• November 11: Angela Logan, Associate Teaching Professor of Management & Organization and the St. Andre Bessette Director of Nonprofit Professional Development (NPD) and Notre Dame. Topic to be announced