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March 2015

We Owe Our Beginnings to Some Wonderful Women!

In 1976, an attorney from Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Barbara Klimaszewski, identified a need for emergency shelter for battered women and their children.  At that time, there were no specific statutes in the State of Michigan pertaining to spouse abuse, which left the victims of domestic violence without protection and with little recourse for any legal intervention.  The solution to that problem became readily apparent - the only means of protection for these women and their children was to flee their residence and seek temporary shelter.

 

A group of women from the Saginaw area formed a group called Feminists United for Social Equality, and proceeded to establish the Underground Railroad, a private non-profit corporation, to provide and operate a shelter for battered women and their children.  Various community groups were contacted, and the Warren Avenue Presbyterian Church assumed the mission of providing the original shelter building at 528 South Warren Street, as well as $15,000 for renovations and furnishing.                                                                       


 

The doors were opened in December of 1977.  This historical event marked the formation of the first free standing emergency shelter for battered women in the State of Michigan.  In the initial stages, it was operated as a totally voluntary organization.  During the first two years of operation the Underground Railroad housed 750 women and 1300 children. In the fall of 1978, the Board of Directors and staff of the Underground Railroad were instrumental in the founding of the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an organization that represents domestic violence programs on a statewide basis.   


 

                     

Today our free and confidential services are provided over 4,000 families annually. We operate with 46 staff members and over 1500 volunteers.

 

WHAT IS NO MORE?
NO MORE is a public awareness and engagement campaign focused on ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Using its signature blue symbol to increase visibility and foster greater dialogue, NO MORE seeks to break social stigma, normalize the conversation around these crimes, and increase resources to address these urgent issues.
WHAT'S THE HISTORY?                                             
The idea for NO MORE was sparked in 2009, in recognition that despite the significant progress made to address domestic violence and sexual assault, these problems affect millions and still remain hidden on the margins of public concern. According to a NO MORE study, 60% of Americans know a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, yet 2 out of 3 American have not discussed this problem with their friends, and 3 out of 4 parents have never discussed it with their children. NO MORE aims to change that, and data tells us that increased conversation is the key to change.  In the NO MORE study, two-thirds of Americans say that if we talk more about domestic violence and sexual assault it would make it easier to help the victims.
WHAT CAN I DO THE WEEK OF MARCH 8-14?
NO MORE week is a national effort to engage every individual, organization and corporation to say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault, and make the prevention of these crimes a priority year-round. Here are some ways you can get involved.



Change your profile pic to include the
NO MORE logo.





Take a picture with a personalized
NO MORE sign, and share on social media. Use the hashtag #NOMOREweek so we can repost.






Support the NO MORE Thunderclap
Join our Thunderclap here

What is Thunderclap?
Social media is an easy way to say something, but a difficult way to be heard. Thunderclap is the first ever crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying things together.  It allows a single message to be shared flash-mob style so it rises above the noise of your social network. By boosting the signal at the same time, Thunderclap helps a single person create action and change like never before!



We Love Lucy!
URR would like to wish a very happy birthday to one of our special volunteers! 
Lucy turns 6 on March 13th! Happy Birthday Lucy!
 
Lucy to the Rescue

Lucy and her owner, Barb Way, have volunteered with URR for over 3 years, providing animal assisted therapy to support groups for shelter and non-shelter residents. In particular, they work with children during story and craft time, and provide comfort during a difficult transition. In addition to her regular work with URR, Lucy recently completed a 12 hour test to certify her as a Disaster Stress Relief Dog. She can now be called as part of a team to bring comfort to disaster victims and relief workers. Certification testing is stringent and qualifies only the most capable dogs and handlers. It goes without saying that Lucy and Barb are a pretty "PAWSOME" pair!

In order to pass the test, Lucy had to:

1. Follow directions without hesitation: sit, down, stay, heel, leave it, come

2. Be friendly toward other dogs and people

3. Not be afraid of a running fire engine with sirens; be able to greet the firemen in full gear

4. Sit still while a helicopter hovered and landed nearby; be able to greet the pilot

5. Not be afraid to enter and exit a boat, a crowded elevator, and a bus

6. Visit with young children, adults, and the elderly in a hospital

7. Walk back and forth between two horses

Lucy and Barb are pictured after completing the Disaster Stress Relief Dog certification (far left).


 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Walk A Mile in Her Shoes




April 17, 2015
Birch Run Premium Outlets
Registration: 5pm
Walk: 6pm

Join us for our 2nd annual Saginaw County event. Show your support for the women in your life by donning heels, having fun, and getting a chance to win some awesome raffle prizes! Everyone welcome - men, women and children.

Registration is NOW OPEN!

To register online click here

Download registration forms at 



Want to see what the fun is about?
Check out this Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Promotional Video from Toronto, 2011
Walk A Mile Toronto 2011


To reserve your seat or become a sponsor contact 
Lisa Hall, Community Development Manager
at 989-399-0007 ext 106 or at lhall@undergroundrailroadinc.org





For more information on upcoming events
Like us on Facebook


Under the Rainbow Resale Shop
Profits stay in our community!



5647 State Street, Suite B 

Monday - Saturday
10:00am - 7:00 pm

In-kind donations of clothing and household goods first help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking in our community. Revenue from surplus donations provides funding for programs and services provided at URR.





We're remolded and remodeled - come check us out!

Like us on Facebook
for great sale notifications





Next time you visit 
Under the Rainbow Resale Shop, 
be sure to check out our progress
in the new children's room.

Co-manager, Erin Filer, and her mom, Mara Fredrich, have volunteered their artistic talents 
to paint a mural full of 
whimsy and charm. 
More plants and animals to come!