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My Sister's Place
Ending Violence. Empowering lives.
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Your September Newsletter
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Greetings!
Andrea Grinage. Lauren Wallen. Dasheria Barksdale.
Recent horrific stories of domestic violence in our region once again remind us how this takes a terrible toll on women, children and communities. But the reality here at MSP is that we work with clients every day whose stories
don’t
make the evening news because we help them find safety.
MSP’s stories have happier endings. A few months ago, a pregnant young mother was held captive by her abuser, suffering almost daily knife wounds. Then she found one of MSP’s wallet cards slid under her door. She called MSP‘s Hotline, desperate for help, and we answered. Our staff rescued her and she is now recovering and rebuilding her life. She is not another TV news tragedy.
But we know it's been too long since we’ve told you about MSP. The truth is we’ve been busy saving and changing lives. And we’ve been working to prevent domestic violence too—recently we worked with media on a
BET article
about “toxic masculinity
,” and a
NBC4 story
about how victims can develop safety plans
.
Now we want to share our stories
with you
.
Starting with this September newsletter below, we will keep you updated every month with news you can use.
We hope this empowers you to get involved, volunteer, donate, and help engage everyone in preventing the epidemic of domestic violence.
So, I’d like to ask you to take 5 minutes and tell 5 people you know about My Sister’s Place. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.
You never know—you might just save a life.
Warmest regards,
Carol Loftur-Thun
Executive Director
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Fall Fundraising & Outreach
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Friday October 13th
5pm - 8pm @ 1436 U Street NW
Join us for an open-air art exhibition of over 200 T-shirts created by survivors and their kids that tell the stories of how they overcame violence and abuse with hope and courage. This festive celebration will feature a DJ, food, art and more.
Bring your friends and
come ready to share in survivors’ stories.
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The Purple Purse Challenge
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We're excited to let you know that we've
been selected to be
one of 250 organizations
nationwide participating in the Allstate Foundations' Purple Purse Challenge
.
It's a friendly fundraising campaign where domestic violence services organizations
compete to raise the most money to win $500, $10,000 and even a grand prize of $100,000
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How You Can Help
Join our MSP Team by October 2nd at 12 Noon and you can help us win a $500 bonus prize!
Just by joining our MSP Team, setting up your own fundraiser for our cause, and reaching out to your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors, you can help us win $500. Then with your help and your supporters, we can raise the funds to win bonus prizes and get closer to winning the grand prize.
It takes less than five minutes to join our Team and set up your own fundraiser.
All you have to do is
Go Here
and click 'Fundraise for This Campaign.'
Thank you in advance for supporting us, and be on the lookout for updates from us in the coming weeks.
Let's be the winning team!
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Left to Right: JoVonna Chase, Renae Erichsen-Teal, Chandra Robinson, Manga Omasombo, Malwina Maslowska
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New Staff
Chandra Robinson, LGSW, joined us in April as our
Community Programs Manager and has brought 15 plus years of experience in social work and program management to growing our programs.
This summer,
Manga Omasombo, MSW, and
Chelsea McLaughlin, LG,
joined our team as Case Managers, to further support our clients.
And most recently,
Renae Erichsen-Teal came in July as the new
Development & Communications Coordinator, supporting our fundraising efforts and new outreach, including regular newsletters!
With these new staff, we are not only
strengthening our existing programs, but building new programs
, community outreach, and
efforts to keep you informed and involved in our growth.
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New Image
In October, My Sister's Place will be
launching our new website
, incorporating a user-friendly layout and modern design.
Expect new colors, a new logo, and a new look
designed to reflect:
- Our history of innovation
- Our expanded programs supporting women, men and the larger community
- Our innovative public health approach to the epidemic of domestic violence
We can't wait to share it with you!
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Growing Partnerships, Expanding Board
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Growing Partnerships
Economic Security Administration -
Supported by the ESA, MSP's
DV Power Program
provides case management, crisis counseling, referrals to community resources and psycho-education to recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) experiencing domestic violence. The goal of the DV Program is to help survivors overcome the barriers posed by domestic violence that hinder their ability to meet TANF program requirements and achieve progress toward self-sufficiency.
Child & Family Services Administration -
MSP is collaborating in an innovative partnership with CFSA to help keep children and families safe in DC. Last year, CFSA identified addressing domestic violence as key to achieving family preservation and re-unification. With our expertise in domestic violence, MSP provides training, technical assistance and case consultation to CFSA and CPS staff to help protect children and strengthen families. MSP and CFSA are also partnering on one of the most innovative
Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP)
in the country. Through a 24 week intensive program, MSP staff work with fathers who are batterers to provide a safe place to learn about healthy relationships, become accountable for their own violent and abusive behavior, and learn how to replace violence and abuse with positive and healthy behaviors.
- WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 17 from 2 to 3 PM
- WHAT: The theme is #Safety4Survivors. Tune in to discuss ways to address & remove barriers, centering marginalized communities, building resilience, and the road to empowerment.
- CLICK HERE to get involved!
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Mazen Yacoub, Board Chair
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Meet the rest of our Board below:
Mazen Yacoub, Board Chair
Martha Shannon, CPA,
Board Treasurer
Jackie Malkes,
Board Secretary
Carolyn Thompson
Katrina Clemons
Michelle A. Kisloff, Esq.
George A. Bednar, CPA
Beverly Allen, Esq.
Brenda J. Gaines
Deidra Abbott, MPH
Kristen Maddux
Camille Wheeler
Lisa E. Rosenthal
Zoe Sharp
Carol Loftur-Thun, Executive Director
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Excited about our new programs and projects?
DONATE TODAY
an
d be a part of our growth as we continue to create innovative approaches to ending DV
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