Recent Projects:
This month, our volunteers were very busy writing cards for individuals and organizations, alike!
We are happy to announce we provided a total of 50 Survivor Cards to YWCA of Cincinnati, a local domestic violence shelter and intervention resource for survivors of abuse and sexual assault.
"The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all."
YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world and has been at the forefront of most of the pressing social movements for more than 150 years.
Their services include, but are not limited to affordable housing, violence prevention and intervention, trainings and childcare.
24 Hour YWCA Hamilton County Domestic Violence Hotline
Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Hamilton County 24 hours a day.
LOCAL: 513-872-9259 TOLL FREE: 888-872-9259 TEXT: 513-436-3606 CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
24 Hour House of Peace Hotline
Crisis counseling, risk assessment, information, referrals, safety planning, and support for survivors in Clermont, Brown and Adams counties 24 hours a day.
LOCAL: 513-753-7281 TOLL FREE: 800-540-4764 TEXT: 513-436-3606 CHAT: rc.chat/ywca
These cards will provided to their clients as appropriate, alongside their resources and services!
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In another exciting news, Wyoming Fine Arts Center held two volunteer hours this month with their elementary and middle school aged children.
From their website, "The Wyoming Fine Arts Center is located in the historic downtown district of Wyoming, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati."
Purchased and restored by local businessman and violinist Paul Bartel in the 19902, it originated with music programming and now offers music, art, dance and even summer camp programs for children!
From their post on Instagram, "We talked about some really hard times they went through and thought about messages and ideas that would have cheered them up."
Source: @wyomingfinearts on Instagram
We can't wait to match these thoughtful and sweet creations to youth trauma survivors.
If your organization, family, workplace or group are interested in organizing a volunteer hour or letter writing workshop (to benefit your own writers or send to Survivor Cards for distribution) please email us at survivorcards@gmail.com
If you're an individual who wishes to volunteer for us, we'd love to hear from you, as well!
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The Year Ahead:
Events:
On Saturday, May 14th, we will be set up at FH5K, held by the Forest Hills Foundation for Education at Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio from 9-11:30 AM. Come run or walk the 5K at 8:30, then learn about some awesome local resources at the After Party.
For more information, click here!
This yearly 5K is held to raise mental health awareness, raise funds, cultivate resources and create opportunities. Over the last 14 years, they've raised over $2 million to improve areas of health and wellness, access and innovation and experimental programs.
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Behind The Scenes:
We are currently in the works of acquiring a new logo and social media packages by Gee Gardner and illustrations for our website and social media pages by Erin Clara Lenore!
We hope to have these finalized by the end of May.
Stay tuned!
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Our 501c3 status is in the works with the IRS and should be accomplished within the next 2-6 weeks.
We will post an update once this is official, as well as once we have our Ohio solicitation approved, so corporate giving and tax-deductions can commence!
We have chosen to work with The Foundation Group for our formation services and accounting needs. We have confidence they will help us stay on track and meet our goals this year.
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Our Board of Directors is now formed, with Alyson Wick as our President, Michelle Brewer-Bunnell as our Treasurer and Avery McGirr as our Secretary.
Thank you to these 2 amazing folks for agreeing to serve on our board and their volunteerism to write cards since our start in 2020.
Also, a very special shout out to my dear friend Mehek Mirchandani of The Mustard Seed of Central Florida for her guidance and support as we become an "official" nonprofit!
We couldn't have done all of this without you.
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Ongoing Projects:
We are currently working to fulfill a 30 card delivery to Lighthouse Youth & Family Services for their youth clients. If you want to get involved or provide a card for a child, please get in touch with us via email at survivorcards@gmail.com
From their website, "Lighthouse offers an integrated system of care for ages 0-24 designed to guide and track their progress over time. This includes mental health services, including same-day assessments, as well as youth housing, emergency shelter, community juvenile justice services, residential treatment, and foster care and adoption.
A national leader in developing services for youth and families, Lighthouse opened the first group home for girls in Ohio and has operated the first and only sanctuary for youth ages 10-17 in the Cincinnati area since 1974. Lighthouse is also a pioneer in the effort to end youth homelessness and is the lead agency in the KEYS to a Future Without Youth Homelessness initiative in Hamilton County."
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Thank you for all your support as we continue to grow!
- Alyson
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