Providing Grace and Redemption through Christ

for Prisoners, Women in Recovery, and Military Veterans. 

Hello Stacey,

A persistent worldwide problem, domestic violence knows no boundaries. 

Affecting ten million Americans every year, familial and domestic violence touches on every culture, race, religion, and class via physical and/or emotional abuse, inflicting pain through controlling behaviors of power and dominance. Much of this abuse is deeply personal and intimate, toxic, and traumatic, with life-long residual consequences on its victims. 

What can be done to effectively impact such an overwhelming epidemic with extremely damaging consequences? While we continue to raise understanding that this violence occurs, including during October’s dedicated awareness month campaigns, a heightened focus on factors contributing to the abuse must occur if we’re ever to see it come to an end. 

With over 650,000 offenders being released from prison this year, without positive interference while incarcerated, we can expect patterns to pick up and continue upon their return to their homes and communities. Addressing the motivations behind the abuse, educating offenders and their families, and providing them with tools, strategies, and solutions to rectify and disable the triggers for the behavior is imperative.

Serving USA recognizes there is a delicate balance between justice and forgiveness. We support our ministry partners in holistic and rehabilitative work and education, which is transforming offenders during and after their time served. Our partners at Marjoree Mason Center (Fresno, CA), Emily’s Place (Plano, TX), Converse Hope Center (Douglas, WY), and Door of Hope (Pasadena, CA) are some examples of premiere agencies working in this specific field of Domestic Violence, meeting the wrap-around needs of victims, including emergency housing, counseling, medical and legal assistance.

We encourage continued discussions related to proactive ways to combat Domestic Violence and invite you to participate in supporting this critical work. You can help in making a difference by joining Serving USA’s online community and providing financial support at ServingUSA.org.

1. Mia Consalvo (1998) Hegemony, Domestic Violence, and Cops: A Critique of Concordance, Journal of Popular Film and Television, 26:2, 62-70, DOI: 10.1080/01956059809602775

Each year, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On average, 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US, and 15% of violent crime is intimate partner violence. The impact on children is substantial, as 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence(1).

Emily’s Place is a Texas-based program that provides long-term housing for survivors of domestic violence. They call themselves a “bridge” between shelter and independent living. Their mission is to break the cycle of violence for women and their children through long-term transformational care to restore faith, hope, and health.

Serving USA sat with Emily’s Place Executive Director Brynn Bruno to debunk myths and highlight issues that some people may not be aware of concerning domestic violence survivors.

• MYTH: It is easy for people to leave an abuser.

“I think the other thing that people forget is when it comes to domestic violence, a mom has to give up so much to leave her abuser. Not just her relationship. She loses a key stability point. She is going to lose whatever community, friends, and family support- primarily his. A lot of the victims we work with specifically don’t have a strong support system. They have to give up their church and sometimes their job because they have to take care of their kids. It’s not easy if you don’t have all of these resources, housing, and stability for your family.”

Qualified Beauty & Empowerment Conference

Every year we gather our Alumnae for a day of pampering and development at our Beauty & Empowerment Conference. We do this to remind them that we’re here to champion their growth beyond the twelve weeks of the Career Development Academy that they all graduated from, and into their new lives and careers. The ladies look forward to this event as an opportunity to reconnect with their cohorts while also learning some new practical tips and tools for their careers and everyday lives. We know that success isn’t defined solely by career achievements, but also by freedom and fulfillment in all areas of life. 

This year, our conference included speakers on the topics of finding joy in a simple lifestyle, recognizing unhealthy patterns in our interactions with family, friends and those around us, and learning how to develop new neuropathways that lead to successful engagement. 

If you know any women who are looking for community and an opportunity to learn more about career preparation and advancement, we would love to share more about our Career Development Academy and Alumnae community. Together, we can work towards a future where every woman lives out her inherent purpose changing the trajectory of future generations. 

Contact us at [email protected] // www.qualifiedwomen.com

Xtreme Soulutions 

Shootout at Blackjack's 

When:  October 20th, 2022

Where: Blackjack Sporting Clays

3372 COunty Road 526, Sumterville, FL 33585

SoulFisher Ministries Gala

9Th Annual Agape Gala

When:  October 21st, 2022

Where: #1 Northwood Hills Country Club Dr, St Louis, MO, 63121

A New Way of Life 

Justice on Trial Film Festival

When:  October 29th, 2022

Where: TBD

Forgotten Children Inc

7Th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

*Looking for sponsors!*

When:  October 31st, 2022

Where: 2655 S Citrus St, West Covina, CA 91791

Colossians 3:13

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

World Mental Health Day

October 10th, 2022

Halloween

October 31st, 2022

What Channels Does Your Audience Use?

Consider where you are advertising. Where will your clients see your work? Depending on their demographic, you may have different outcomes by advertising on social media, television, local paper, etc. 

Amazon Smile

Looking for other ways to support Serving USA? Head to smile.amazon.com and select Serving USA when making a purchase.

Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to your selected nonprofit!

Questions?

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding information within this newsletter, please contact [email protected]



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