February- TEEN Focus

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), observed every February, aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of dating violence among adolescents (ages 13-17) and to educate communities on how to prevent it. With statistics showing that one in three teens will experience some form of abuse in their relationships, TDVAM serves as an important time to start conversations about healthy relationships, consent, and respect. (click here for more teen statistics). Independence House works with students, schools, and organizations, to offer resources, provide educational programing, support and advocacy for teens affected by violence in their dating relationships.

During TDVAM we take the opportunity to also talk about harmful myths and help teens break their silence surrounding violence in their relationships. Through the Independence House Teen Program, we are committed to helping teens, parents, educators, and the greater community on how to recognize warning signs of dating abuse such as jealousy, controlling behaviors, and actions that cause physical or emotional harm. Independence House promotes healthy relationships and our teen program and services help to empower teens to not only speak out and access the support they need to break free from unhealthy and abusive relationships, but to also understand how to support their peers who may need assistance.

Independence House teen counselors will be Popping-Up at six Cape Cod High Schools throughout February during student lunch time to engage in fun and games, provide information, and distribute cool swag. (See schedule below).

Additionally, following in March, junior and sophomore high school students across the Cape from every high school are encouraged to participate in a new leadership group “Do Every Little Thing To Assist (DELTA)”. The group will meet once monthly through the remainder of the school year and help teens to be empowered and provide peer advocacy and leadership on all things related to dating relationships. Two parent info-nights are scheduled before the group commences in order to also obtain permission for their teens to participate.

"On behalf of our Board of Directors, Staff and Clients of Independence House, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the generous donors who supported us during the months of November, December, and January. Your kindness, charitable generosity, and commitment make a significant impact in the lives of domestic and sexual violence survivors, and we are truly inspired by your dedication to our mission. Thank you for standing with us; thank you for being part of the solution! Your support is truly appreciated!"

THANK YOU TO:

• ALL of the donors who made our Annual Appeal the most successful in 45 years!
• ALL of the donors who contributed to our ongoing New Building Appeal.
• Cape Cod British Car Club for their annual Freezin' Fun Run that has benefited Independence House for over 20 years now, and raised over $6,400 in support of survivors this year.
• Linda Zammer and the incredible staff at Clancy's Restaurant in Dennis Port for hosting the Teddy Bear Breakfast for a 9th year-- a sold out and delicious event!
• Cat Wilson (star photographer); Jolly Santa Tom, and Elves Micki, Diane, Jenny, Katia and Chris for making the Teddy Bear Breakfast at Clancy's super special for so many families and their children.
• Massachusetts Nurses Association for raising over $3,400 to support our food pantry, stock our diaper supply, and gift cards.
• Simple Signs of Cape Cod for raising $4,000 for Independence House programs and services for a 2nd year in their holiday drive.
• Sturgis West Public Charter School students for their food pantry drive.
• Cape and Island United Way for coordinating a drive with Macy's of Hyannis to support Independence House.
• The multitude of individual donors who contributed generous gift cards to help make Independence House clients and their families joyful during the holidays.
• Cape Cod Synagogue and their Congregants for truckloads of non perishables to support the Independence House food pantry.
• South Yarmouth United Methodist Church for suppling numerous Independence House client families with full Thanksgiving holiday meals and turkeys.
• St. Michael's Church for suppling numerous Independence House client families with full Thanksgiving holiday meals.
• Individual Private Donors who sponsored numerous Independence House client families and their children to ensure their holidays were joyous with fullfilled wishlists and gifts.
• Barnstable High School Human Rights Club for their hygeine products drive.
• Cape Cod Collaborative for providing numerous backpacks filled with school supplies to supplement the needs of Independence House client children.
• Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club of Cape Cod for supplying 5 bags of toys for our holiday giving program for clients and their children.
• O'Hara Motors for numerous Honey Baked Hams for client families.
• Cultural Center of Cape Cod for naming Independence House as the beneficiary of their Winter Market that provided donations, holiday toys, and gift cards.
• Senior Dennis-Yarmouth Girl Scouts Troop for the numerous deliveries of girl scout cookies.
• Cape and Islands Endoscopy Center for their holiday gift-toy drive.
• The Friday Club for their most generous donations and gift cards.
• Cape Cod Surftones (Barbershop Harmony Society) for naming Independence House as the beneficiary of their Holiday Concert.
• Bayberry Quilt Bank of Cape Cod for the numerous hand-made children's quilts.

Heather Ricciardi

HR Consultant

Saben HR Consulting

Zaafirah Robb

Licensed Relationship Manager

ROGERS|GRAY Hyannis

Dr. Diane Todd

Optometrist,

Nauset Optical

Do you know the Independence House Board?

Sandra Cashen, CAP-OM

Board Member

Retired Facility Manager Dennis Yarmouth Schools

-Past Board President-

Kristen Foresta

Board Member

Treasurer; Sr. Vice President Cape Cod Five

Ron Larrivee

Board Member

Retired Educator,

Owner: Cape & Islands Entertainment

Lauren Kanzer

Emiritus Board Member Owner: Cape Cod Property Visuals

Past Independence House Board President

Angela Nash-Hennemuth

Emiritus Board Member

Retired Clinical Licensed Social Worker

Past Independence House Board President

Donna Zayatz

Emiritus Board Member

Vice President of Commercial Lending, Cape Cod FIve

Past Independence House Board Treasurer