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While there are many unknowns right now due to COVID-19, Catalyst Domestic Violence Services wants you to know that we are still here for you. We have a message for all of the survivors at home right now.
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As shelter in place becomes the norm in many places around the country, it's important to acknowledge that home is not a safe place for everyone. Those at risk of abuse at home will need our help now more than ever.
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We are monitoring recommendations of the Governor’s Office and making decisions that are grounded in preserving the health and safety of survivors, staff, volunteers, and the community at large. With this in mind, our in-person services remain suspended for the time being, but our counseling and advocacy services remain available by phone.
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A Note From Our Executive Director
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Dear Friend of Catalyst,
If anyone had said to me that we would have to cancel our annual event for the second year in a row, I would have never believed it. But here I am, exactly one year later, writing to you with the same message. And that saddens me because, while we certainly look at Evening with Catalyst as a means to raise funds, we also believe it is a good time to gather our friends and celebrate all that we have accomplished.
At the bottom of this newsletter, you will find the Evening with Catalyst sponsors who were on board before we had to hit the pause button. We could not be more grateful that every single sponsor who committed allowed us to retain their funds to put to good use in our programs. Their generosity helps us to fulfill our mission to end intimate partner violence in our community.
Please know that we will are still here. There is no other option. Our phones still ring and we still answer- just like always: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- all year long. We have always said we were a life line and during this time, that could not be more true. We have seen before that community crisis inevitably spills into individual homes and lives, so all of us at Catalyst are concerned for our vulnerable families who are more isolated than ever. We know that we will experience an increase in requests for services. We typically do after major incidents and this has the potential for bigger impacts given the unprecedented social isolation component.
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Throughout this newsletter, you will see the innovative work of our staff and the generous support of our donors. The mantra we have heard repeated during this time is “we are in this together.” We know that by working together, we are a stronger and safer community.
With gratitude,
Anastacia L. Snyder
Executive Director
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Catalyst Training for Medical Staff: Thursday, May 7th 10am-12pm
The target audience for this free training is medical personnel at local clinics and hospitals.
Training objectives:
- Identify a minimum of 3 barriers to leaving an abusive relationship
- Understand the impact COVID-19 and shelter in place has had on survivors of abuse
- Understand the anatomy and physiology of strangulation and recommended strangulation protocol
- Gain confidence and skills in assessing for domestic violence in a medical setting
Register in advance for this training here.
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Healthy Relationships during COVID-19: Thursday, May 14th 5:30-7pm
We’ve all craved more time at home to spend with our loved ones. But now with no choice other than to co-habitate 24/7 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that extra time we craved may test families and relationships like never before. How do we maintain healthy relationships during shelter in place?
Join us for a free, fun, conversational presentation to find out more!
Register in advance for this presentation or join us via Facebook Live.
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Please email our Prevention and Outreach Program Manager,
Sarah Sullivan, at sarah@catalystdvservices.org
to schedule a private virtual training or presentation
for your school, organization, or group.
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Aidee Orejel, one of our Prevention Advocates, put together a helpful guide on how to prevent conflicts from escalating while having to shelter in place. Check it out on Facebook below:
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5 De-Escalation Tips in Times of Heightened Stress
Adapted from The Crisis Prevention Institute
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As a way to support our participants and local businesses at the same time, community members Susan and Paul Manasian have been supplying dinner from local restaurants once a week for our HAVEN and Cottage residents. They have also donated cookies from the Cookie Shoppe every week!
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We have received an abundance of beautiful handmade cloth masks from thoughtful community members, including Emily from Scouts BSA Troop 12, Nan Miner from Curviosity Designs, and our board member Tracy Weeber from Enloe Medical Center.
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When the shelter in place order was first announced, Children’s Advocates Nat and Daryll went to work putting together activity kits for families in all our housing programs. Each kit was tailored to each families based on number of children and their ages and included games and art projects to make sure that the family had something entertaining to do while home all day. Previously awarded funds from the North Valley Community Foundation and Judy Sitton, a friend of Catalyst, contributed to making these kits happen.
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Baking can be a fun way to get your mind off of the profound uncertainty and acute stress that COVID-19 has created for us all. Advocates Maria and Daryll put together baking kits for all of the families at HAVEN using items from our pantry.
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Community member Julie Withers donated children's books, puzzles, coloring books, and pencils to help us create a Shelter in Place Activity Station for families at HAVEN!
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Our living room is getting an upgrade! Thanks to a grant awarded to us by The Discovery Shoppe for our Adopt-A-Room Campaign, we have freshly painted walls and new flooring! Coming soon: new furniture, lighting, and area rugs to make this communal space a warm and inviting living area for the residents at our shelter.
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Community members Liz and Ken Fleming recently donated all of the supplies we needed to revamp our garden, including nutritious soil, flowers, vegetable seeds, and garden tools. We are excited to see our garden grow!
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We have so much gratitude for our current volunteers who are working remotely to help us staff our 24 hour hotline!
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Our summer training has been postponed to respect the social distancing guidelines. New dates are to be determined. We will make an announcement as soon as we know when it will be safe to move forward.
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Being confined to a home that is not safe can lead to escalations of abuse and removes tools of survival such as being able to leave the house to escape or de-escalate abuse. It is important to continue to connect with survivors and offer your support. Sharing our posts on Facebook and Instagram is one free way to help spread the word about our services and show your support for survivors.
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HAVEN, our 32 bed temporary communal living environment, turned 10 this year! That means it is time for some repairs and upgrades. The Adopt-A-Room campaign guarantees that the Catalyst shelter facility remains warm and welcoming to victims of domestic violence. Adopt-A-Room donors will be permanently recognized at the shelter facility and donor wall. If you would like to learn more about our Adopt-A-Room campaign, contact our Housing Director, Ann Winters at (530) 924-2689.
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2020 Evening with Catalyst Sponsors:
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