Chef Ardel Nelson – quick holiday dinners on a budget

Once a month, Chef Ardel Nelson offers a healthy cooking class for residents in our emergency shelter. Each class includes how to prepare an appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert.

Many of these meals are prepared in a crockpot, allowing residents to prepare the meal in the morning and return in the evening to a home cooked meal! The Shelter provides all of the necessary ingredients for the class.

“Ardel is very conscious of the little time that our mothers have, so she makes sure that the meal can take less than 30 minutes to prepare,” says The Shelter Residential Manager Lise Descoteaux. “The goal is to make sure the family eats healthily and sit down together as a family to share a meal and the events of the day.”

A retired chef, Ardel offers her services to The Shelter free of charge. Her volunteer service makes a difference in the lives of our shelter families.

Immokalee Outreach Office takes part in 25th Annual Christmas Around the World

The Shelter Immokalee Outreach Office advocates added plenty of SEASONING to this year’s 25th Annual Immokalee Christmas Parade. This year’s parade theme was “Celebrating 25 Years of the Christmas SEASONS in Immokalee.”

Immokalee Bulletin, Dec 16th, 2016
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The Immokalee Chamber of Commerce and the Collier County Parks & Recreation hosted its’ 25th Birthday Celebration of the Christmas Around the World Parade and Snow Gala on December 10.

This year’s theme for Christmas Around the World Parade was “Celebrating 25 Years of the Christmas Seasons in Immokalee.” The Christmas committee used all the 24 years of official themes for the entire community to select from. Indeed they did and we had a beautiful array of floats, walkers, cars and truck entries with the themes of yesteryears. The Snow Gala started immediately after the parade was over at the Immokalee Sports Complex.

This year’s parade application was specially changed to accommodate the 25th Birthday Celebration of the Christmas Event

Best All Around Winner was the Seminole Tribe of Florida and they took home a trophy and $300.

First Place Winner was the Immokalee Foundation and they received a trophy and $200.

Second Place Winner was the RCMA Communtiy School who received a trophy and $100.

Third Place Winner was the David Lawrence Center, they took home a trophy and $50.

The Little Mr/Ms Snowflake Competition Winners were: Ms. Daniella M. Garcia and Akeem Williams. Daniella had 103,500 pennies and Akeen had 6,400 pennies. One penny equaled one vote.

The 25th birthday celebration was a very good surprise to all who viewed the presentation. Most of the Immokalee Schools performed at the Birthday Celebration. They are as follow: RCMA Community, illijah Sentena, Jennifer Arroyo, Hailey Rivera, Pace Center for Girls, Jesenia C. Summer M, Leticia G…Immokalee Middle School, Benchy Dietrevil, Richie Bien-Aime, Zitlaly Resendiz…Lake Trafford Elementary, Dalilah Vera, Genesis Castro, Paola Flores, Ryan Garcia, Kathyn Vidaurri..Highland Elementary, Noah Smith, Arianna Herrera, Clint Johnson, Pinecrest Elementary, Vanessa Lopez-Simon, Jacob Cruz, Ever do Cardenas, Village Oaks Elementary, Jordan, Laury Mireles, Brailyn Kish and a representative from the Collier County Public School Admin. Center.

Everyone sang their version of happy birthday to Christmas Around the World Event for 25 years in Immokalee.

The Snow Gala had lots of entertainment, snow, food, games and crafts thru-out the entire event. Santa Claus’ helpers did something different with his landing this year from the North Pole. He arrived on the Immokalee Soccer Fields by horse and carriage, courtesy of “Whispering Pine.”

The 2016 Grand Parade Marshal wasJosie Ayala and the Co-Parade Marshal was Derrick Dimas.

The Immokalee Chamber of Commerce Office would like for all winners to come to 1255 North 15th Street from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to collect school pictures, your trophy and your real cash money for being selected the Best of the 2016 Christmas Parade and Gala.

Danny Gonzalez. President of the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce would like to Thank the sponsors, the donors and the community for supporting this event for the last 25 years and it is his hope that this event will get bigger and better in coming years for the community. Mrs. Cherryle Thomas along with her Christmas Committee founded the event 25 years ago. We want to give her and her committee our sincere thanks.

The Shelter Options Shoppe taking part in Holiday Stroll

Stroll the Naples Design District’s diverse shops at your leisure all day and get your passport signed, continue into the evening while enjoying a night of charity and holiday cheer!

Begin the event at The Shelter Options Shoppe, where you will receive your ‘passport,’ then walk down 10th St. to the next party spot. VIEW MAP

Start your holiday shopping with proceeds going to great causes! Maps and passports will be distributed so you know all of the participants. Customers visiting the most shops will be eligible to win gifts! Leave your signed passport at your last stop to qualify.

Slidr cars will be shuttling customers up and down 10th St. so you won’t miss a stop.

Shelter earns Charity Navigator 4-star rating for seventh consecutive year

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children recently earned Charity Navigator’s four-star rating for the seventh year in a row.

“Only 4% of the charities we evaluate have received at least seven consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Shelter for Abused Women & Children outperforms most other charities in America,” states Michael Thatcher, Charity Navigator CEO. “This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Shelter for Abused Women & Children apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.” READ FULL LETTER

Collier County’s only certified domestic violence center, The Shelter is leading the community to prevent, protect and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking through advocacy, empowerment and social change. For more information, go to www.naplesshelter.org

VIEW THE SHELTER’S RATING

Shop for The Shelter 2017 a big success!

Thank you to everyone who assisted with and/or attended this year’s Shop for The Shelter, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 at The Shelter Options Shoppe, 968 2nd Ave. North in Naples. This year in addition to refreshments, drawings and great holiday bargains, we even had snow and Santa to greet our customers! All sales went to support The Shelter’s life-changing services. What a special way to start the holiday season!

Shelter Board Member Kamela Patton honored by state

Naples Daily News
December 1, 2017
By Annika Hammerschlag

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Kamela Patton of Collier County Public Schools has been named the 2017 superintendent of the year by a Florida education group.

The Consortium of Florida Education Foundation evaluated nominees based on their involvement with local education foundations.

Patton was honored Thursday at a ceremony in Tampa for her dedication to Future Ready Collier, an association of more than 50 organizations that try to help prepare children for kindergarten and high school students for college and careers.

The team effort is credited for increasing Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion rates, which are up 5 percent among Collier students compared to this time last year.

Throughout her seven-year tenure, Patton’s administration — in partnership with Future Ready Collier — has hosted numerous financial aid nights to help students and families navigate the complex FAFSA application process.

She also has helped organize college and vocational fairs and increased the district’s educational focus on science, technology, engineering and math.

Patton said the award was especially meaningful because it represents the collective efforts of dozens of organizations that have rallied behind the district’s goals.

“It benefits more kids quicker and faster when we’re able to lift up together,” she said. “You can’t do things by yourself, and this is just really an award representing all those partners.”

Susan McManus, president of Champions for Learning, the education foundation that serves as the backbone for Future Ready Collier, said Patton’s work with the collection of organizations highlighted her strengths as a leader.

“It’s taken dedication, trust and hard work on her part to build those relationships and support all of us as we’re trying to work together,” McManus said.

It’s the reason McManus nominated Patton for the award.

“Community organizations can do some great work alone,” McManus said, “but when we’re doing it in alignment with the district and leveraging all of our resources, we know we are going to achieve much greater results.”

Patton also was honored for her leadership during Hurricane Irma, which hit Collier County on Sept. 10. The district opened 28 schools to serve as shelters to some 17,000 people, despite being prepared to open only 10 choices.

After the hurricane, Future Ready Collier  joined with the district to devise a relief strategy and revamp FAFSA completion efforts, which had stalled due to the disaster.

“I’ve never seen that kind of leadership and dedication on the part of this community,” McManus said, tearing up. “I’m not sure everyone knows how incredibly important that is.”

Patton is the first superintendent from Collier County or Lee County to win the award, which is in its 11th year. John Ruis from Nassau County and Walt Griffin from Seminole County won in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The award was presented at the 72nd annual Joint Conference of the Florida School Boards Association and the Florida Association of District School Superintendents in Tampa.

“The level of work that’s happening in concert with this collective-impact group and the fact that she’s embraced it is a really big deal,” said Mary Chance, president of The Consortium of Florida Education Foundation.

The national superintendent of the year award for Florida was given to Pinellas County Superintendent Mike Grego by a separate group, the American Association of School Administrators.

Trustee Chair Colleen Murphy honored by Naples Daily News

Colleen Murphy (second row, second from left) was honored by the Naples Daily News as one of 25 Over 50 honorees.

 
Naples Daily News
November 29, 2017
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The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is pleased to announce that our Board of Trustees Chair Colleen Murphy was recognized by Naples Daily News as one of the “25 over 50” honorees, Nov. 29, at the Hilton Naples. The award “salutes leaders in Lee and Collier counties who continue to leave an imprint with their professional achievements, philanthropic missions and leadership abilities.”
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As Vice President of Private Wealth Management at Capital Wealth Advisors, Colleen has more than 30 years of industry experience in audit, taxation, investments, insurance, and financial planning.
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Dedicated to community activities, Colleen serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, and is a member of the Advisory Board for Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at Naples. Additionally, she maintains close connections to Central New York as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Oswego College Foundation. Colleen graduated from SUNY College at Oswego with a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

The Shelter Options Shoppe celebrates Grand Reopening

 

The Shelter Options Shoppe celebrated its Grand Reopening, Nov. 15, 2017, at the store, 968 2nd Ave North in Naples.

Long time volunteer and Shelter Trustee Pat Wheeler served as emcee for the special ceremony, with comments given by CEO Linda Oberhaus, Options Manager Paul Kallenberg, Founding Board Member Milda Vavaida and Collier County Commission Chair Penny Taylor. The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting attended by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. Scott Harris, whose family was instrumental in paying off the mortgage of the Options building, cut the ribbon.

Festivities included refreshments, special deals, drawing prizes and a kick off of the Challenge for Change program, which allows customers to round up their purchase and donate the change to The Shelter. Proceeds up to $25,000 will be matched by the Morey Family Foundation.

The Shelter’s heart beats for the community

Naples Daily News Guest Editorial
Sunday, November 26, 2017
By Linda Oberhaus

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Earlier this month, The Shelter was honored to receive the Heart of the Community Award from the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. This award means so much because the Heart of the Community is a beautiful image as well as a title of great responsibility.

As the Heart of the Community, the life-sustaining resources flowing into our organization are pumped out into the community, empowering survivors and sustaining our mission to prevent, protect and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking.

According to WebMD, the heart is made of a special type of muscle that does not become fatigued. Likewise, The Shelter’s strength is sustained through its dedicated staff, over 400 amazing volunteers, and the exceptional leadership of experienced community members, including the Collier County Sheriff, Naples and Marco Island police chiefs, District 20 State Attorney, Naples Mayor and Collier County Public Schools Superintendent.

But as the body grows, so must the heart to maintain the flow of life sustaining resources to all extremities. As Collier County has grown over the past 30 years, so has the need for and variety of shelter services, especially in the far reaches of our community.

One year ago, The Shelter announced plans to build a new emergency shelter in Immokalee to serve Eastern Collier County. The need was clear. Victims of domestic violence are more likely to seek refuge if the shelter is located closer to their support systems of work, schools and families.

Simultaneously, the community was experiencing a growing need to assist victims of human trafficking. In 2013, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office assigned a full-time detective to this crime and in one year, reports jumped from 7 to 27.

To balance needs, resources and best practices, The Shelter asked Naples architect David Corban to design an innovative facility with three separate wings; one to provide emergency shelter and services for survivors of domestic violence, another devoted to the specialized long-term therapeutic care for human trafficking victims and a third for the Immokalee outreach team.

Once again, the community has stepped forward. Thanks to a heart-felt lead gift of $3 million from Shelly Stayer, The Shelter’s RISE (Respond, Inspire, Support, Empower) Campaign is truly on the rise. We are over half way to our goal and the land has been funded, with plans to break ground in the summer of 2018. We invite you to join us to ensure that we meet our goal. For information about the Shelly Stayer Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking & Domestic Violence and how you can help, go to naplesshelter.org/Immokalee.

As we enter the season of giving and thanks, our hearts and facility are full here at The Shelter. As I write this, 25 adults, 28 children and four pets are safe and empowered with the basic necessities, services and counseling needed to restore hope and healing to their lives.

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that no one in our community is safe from domestic violence. Last year, there were over 1,600 reports of domestic violence in Collier County. The chance of a mass murder, like those in Sutherland Springs, Texas and Rancho Tehama, California, was right here in Collier County – 1,600 times over.

Those communities are devastated – their hearts have been torn from them. We grieve with these families and we take seriously the lesson that they never meant to teach: that domestic violence is not a private issue, it’s not a family issue – it is a community issue.

As the heart beats 24-7, so does The Shelter’s crisis line. If you or someone you know is in need of help, call 239-775-1101.

The Shelter Options Shoppe Grand Reopening

The Shelter Options Shoppe celebrated its Grand Reopening, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 at the store, 968 2nd Ave. North in Naples, FL. Shelter Trustee and Options volunteer Pat Wheeler emceed the ceremony. Speakers included Options Manager Paul Kallenberg, Shelter CEO Linda Oberhaus, founding board member Milda Vavaida and Collier County Commission Chair Penny Taylor. Scott Harris cut the ribbon, joined by members of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

“This year, Options generated 11 percent of The Shelter’s budget so you can see the significance of this store,” Linda shared. “We are grateful to the community for the improvements that we are celebrating today. With your help, we were able to add a new roof, new paint, new signage, new awnings, new flooring, new lighting and a new register program. Please give yourselves a big hand!”

Local artist donates copper roses

The Shelter would like to thank local artist Stanley Thall for his gift of hand-crafted copper roses. Mr. Thall is 91 years young and has created these beautiful roses for Shelter residents for several years. They are sure to bring a smile to their recipients!

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Shelter receives Heart of the Community Award from Greater Naples Chamber

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children was honored by the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce with the Heart of the Community Award, Nov. 8, 2017, during a breakfast award ceremony at the Hilton Naples. The following are CEO Linda Oberhaus’ heart-felt words in acceptance of the award:

“It means so much for us at The Shelter to receive this recognition. The Heart of the Community is such a beautiful image. 

This community has given so much to The Shelter and to the people we serve, and in turn, The Shelter has aimed to spread its message of peace and the importance of healthy relationships. 

We say it often: we cannot have peace in our community until we first have peace in each of our homes. This is the mission that binds all of us together.

Sadly, this point was made 26 times over on Sunday in Sutherland Springs, Texas. That community is devastated. It’s heart was taken from it. We grieve with those families and we take seriously the lesson that they never meant to teach: that domestic violence is not a private issue, it’s not a family issue – it is a community issue.

We are extremely grateful to the Chamber for this honor, and we thank this community for the countless ways it supports The Shelter’s mission to make every home a peaceful home. Thank you!”

Also honored by the Chamber were Athrex, Business Expansion; SkyLink Data Center, Company to Watch; Barron Collier Companies, Pillar Award; Jennifer Trammel, Young Professional of the Year; and Sunshine Ace Hardware, Chairman’s Award. READ FULL NAPLES DAILY NEWS STORY

Domestic Violence does not end at home

A woman and her children take part in a vigil for victims of a mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, US., November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad Khursheed

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children grieves with the families in Sutherland Springs who lost loved ones to unthinkable violence and with a community that will spend many years healing. Today, The Shelter’s census is 23 adults, 28 children and one pet. Thanks to you, these survivors will be empowered with the basic necessities, services and counseling needed to restore hope and peace in their lives. But the truth is, no one is safe from domestic violence because it is a crime against all of us. Domestic violence does not end at home.

The shooting in Sutherland Springs, the shooting in Orlando, the Beltway sniper attacks, the shooting at the Congressional baseball practice, the Las Vegas shooting, and so many other mass shootings have one striking similarity – the perpetrator had a history of domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Over half of all mass shootings are directly related to family violence, according to the NCADV, targeting one or more family members or an intimate partner.

The fact that the Air Force failed to follow policies for alerting federal law enforcement about Sutherland Springs mass murder Devin Kelley’s violent past is even more troubling. This failure enabled the former service member to obtain firearms before the shooting rampage. Kelley should have been barred from purchasing firearms and body armor because of his domestic violence conviction in 2014 while serving at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. He was sentenced to a year in prison and kicked out of the military with a dishonorable discharge following two counts of domestic abuse against his wife and a child. Had his domestic violence offense been entered into the National Criminal Information Center database, 26 lives might have been saved.

Following a high-profile mass shooting, we come together briefly as a nation to offer our thoughts and prayers, then immediately fracture into antagonistic parties. There are sensible solutions that do not infringe on the rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners while keeping firearms out of the hands of people who have proven themselves to be violent. We must act on those common sense solutions – today.

Prohibiting all abusers from possessing guns and requiring background checks for all gun sales and transfers is simply common sense. Research shows these policies work, and the vast majority of Americans and gun owners support these policies. Lives are on the line. By failing to act, we fail to honor the memories of so many American women, men and children killed by abusers with guns.

 

 

White dove release celebrates peace during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children celebrated peace, Oct. 18, 2017, with a white dove release during National Domestic Violence Month. Our thanks to White Doves of Naples for their gift of providing 12 white doves for the ceremony. After they are released, the doves are trained to fly back to their home in the Golden Gate Estates.

Naples Daily News: Immokalee Peace Fair celebrates ‘love, equality & freedom’

By Alexi C. Cardona
Photos by Liam James Doyle

CLICK HERE FOR PRINT VERSION

At its 18th annual Peace Fair in Immokalee, the Shelter for Abused Women and Children asked attendees what peace means to them.

Some wrote on Post-It notes that family and their children were their peace. Others wrote love, equality and freedom. One person wrote that there was peace in wishing well for others.

These messages were placed on posters hanging from fences at the Immokalee Sports Complex during Monday afternoon’s event, which was organized by the shelter. The Peace Fair rounded out the shelter’s events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Peace starts at home,” said Linda Oberhaus, the shelter’s executive director and CEO. “If you’re not safe in your own home, no one in the community will be safe.”

Children played on a bounce house and pet a miniature pony. Students from area schools painted pumpkins and did other crafts. A dozen white doves were released at the event.

Shelter representatives told attendees that sometimes people think finding peace is dependent on other people or factors outside our control. They encouraged people to think about what makes them feel at peace and make the changes around them that are necessary to achieve that goal.

Several community partners, including the PACE Center for Girls and the Southwest Florida Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse, were at the event to teach people about their resources.
The bikers act as guardians for abused children. They form friendships with kids who might be afraid to testify in court against their abusers and show up when a kid calls, even if it’s at 3 a.m. because the child had a nightmare.

“Our goal is to empower children to not be afraid of the world in which they live and to give them a sense of security after experiencing abuse,” said Chico, the president of the bikers’ Southwest Florida chapter. For their safety and that of the kids they work with, members don’t provide their real names, he said.
The shelter helps children and women who experienced domestic violence or human trafficking.

A new domestic violence shelter is set to break ground in Immokalee in summer 2018. Shelter spokeswoman Kaydee Tuff said they are about halfway to their fundraising goals. The new shelter will have an entire wing dedicated to helping human trafficking victims, she said. The shelter opened its Immokalee office in 1997.

“It’s important for us to be here and for people in this community to know the resources that are available for them if they need help,” Oberhaus said.
Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence and needs help can call the Shelter for Abused Women and Children at 1-800-500-1119.

2017 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Flash Mob at Mercato

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children held its annual flash mob to raise awareness during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Friday, Oct. 27, at Mercato in Naples Florida.

Naples Chamber to honor The Shelter as Heart of Community

The Shelter will be honored with the Heart of Community Award, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at the Hilton Naples. The award is part of the Chamber’s Excellence in Industry Awards, which recognize businesses and individuals in Collier County that exemplify the use of innovation, a responsible approach to economic diversification and business and community enhancement. This year’s program will be hosted by the Naples Daily News at 7 a.m., as part of the Chamber’s “Wake Up Naples” series.

Other awards will recognize Business Expansion, Chairman’s Award, Company to Watch, Young Professional of the Year, and Pillar Award.

“The Shelter is extremely honored and humbled by this award,” says The Shelter CEO Linda Oberhaus. “Every form of recognition is rewarding, but to be honored as the ‘Heart of the Community’ is especially touching and would not be possible without the amazing dedication of our supporters, volunteers and staff.”

To register to attend the breakfast, CLICK HERE

 

‘I Support the Girls’ makes generous donation to The Shelter

Shelter Advocate Vickijo Letchworth with I Support the Girls representative Christina Shutter

The Shelter is grateful to the local chapter of “I Support the Girls” for the recent donation of over 1,300 items including bras, underwear and feminine hygiene products.

I Support the Girls collects and distributes donations of undergarments and supplies to homeless women and girls across North America.

“Women and girls who find themselves homeless shouldn’t have to worry about finding bras, much less proper menstrual products,” says group representative Dana Marlowe, “Yet they wear the same bra for years (causing health problems) and each month have to make a choice between paying for meals or buying a box of tampons. Our mission is to restore dignity and self-respect to thousands of women.”

In the last 20 months, 200,000 bras and 900,000 feminine hygiene products have been collected and distributed worldwide. For more information on I Support the Girls, go to: http://isupportthegirls.org/

 

Making a Difference: Elementary school staff gets ‘eye-opening’ tour at Shelter

By Joe Landon
Correspondent, The Collier Citizen

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A group of Avalon Elementary School teachers complete

Right before the start of the school year, about 50 teachers from Avalon Elementary were given the opportunity to tour and learn more about The Shelter for Abused Women & Children.

“(It) was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my teaching career,” said Christine Brady, a fifth grade teacher. “It was very emotional, but seeing first-hand where some of our students live, and hearing about the situations they endure, helped shape me into an even more compassionate teacher.”

We are telling you about it today because October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for us to focus on the problems of domestic abuse and human trafficking and to learn about what’s being done to deal with them.

“Each year we organize an event for our staff to help them find out more about our community,” said Avalon’s principal, Jessica Campbell. “Unfortunately, we have students who are affected by domestic violence in some way, and by touring the Shelter, our teachers and other staff were better able to understand what kinds of resources are available while also becoming more familiar with what people might experience at the Shelter.”

The Shelter’s Children’s Services Supervisor, Vail Fisher, said that “the idea behind the tour was to instill additional tools within each teacher’s tool belt. The teachers learned how to assess situations and determine how they should be properly handled.”

They even took part in an exercise where they worked in groups and were given a stack of cards with a different example of domestic violence printed on each card. They then prioritized the examples listed on the cards ranking them from worst case to least offensive case. What they quickly learned was that each case is just as serious as the next and that trauma and violence should never be underestimated and must always be taken seriously.

During the school visit, Shelter CEO Linda Oberhaus greeted the group and discussed the Shelter’s role in the community.

She explained that “the Shelter’s mission is to prevent, protect and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking through advocacy, empowerment and social change.”

Putting the problem in perspective, nationwide, one in four women will fall victim to domestic violence in their lifetime. Locally, there were 1,607 reports of domestic violence in Collier County including the cities of Naples and Marco Island this past year alone. The Shelter answered 1,516 calls to its 24-hour Crisis Hotline (at 239-775-1101) and provided actual emergency shelter to 220 adults and 165 children.

If you’d like to learn more about how The Shelter for Abused Women & Children is making a difference, or if you would like to volunteer or help in any way, please visit www.naplesshelter.org. You’ll find a list of Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities there as well.

Joe Landon is a communications consultant having retired as executive director of communications for the Collier County School District. Please send suggestions for future columns to JoeLandon@Outlook.com.

Naples Daily News Guest Commentary – Unite against domestic violence

Linda Oberhaus, CEO

Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017
By Linda Oberhaus
CEO, The Shelter for Abused Women & Children

CLICK HERE TO PRINT STORY

Morgan Damas would have been nine years old, a beautiful budding ballerina. But there will be no dancing for Morgan. There will be no proms, graduations or weddings for her or any of her siblings. Her mother will never hold a grandchild in her arms.

On Sept. 18, 2009, officers found the body of Morgan’s mother Guerline Dieu-Damas inside the stairwell closet of their North Naples townhome. She was bound with a white electrical cord, her throat cut and a black plastic bag pulled over her head. Upstairs they found the bodies of 19-month-old Morgan and her brothers and sisters, Michzach, 9; Marven, 6; Maven, 5; and Megan, 3, all of whom died from knife wounds.

For the past eight years, their confessed killer and husband/father Mesac Damas has managed to manipulate the justice system as skillfully as he manipulated his victims. It is fitting that his sentencing will come at the end of October – National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

As I write this, the heartache of these brutal, inexplicable murders is as tangible today as it was eight years ago. We do not know what will take place at the sentencing on Oct. 27, but we do know that six beautiful, innocent lives were violently torn from our community and no amount of justice will ever bring them back.

This month, and throughout the year, The Shelter calls on every Collier County resident to take a stand for countless victims like Guerline and her children, as well as survivors, families, friends and communities impacted by domestic violence.

Last year in Collier County, there were 1,607 reports of domestic violence, including 5 murders, 22 forcible rapes and 217 aggravated assaults. Chances are very likely you know at least one of these victims because domestic violence crosses all ethnic, economic, and geographic boundaries. Victims and abusers live next door to you, play bridge at your club, work out at your gym and share your pew in church.

We cannot remain silent. We must take a stand to ensure the safety of all members of our community and hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. Here’s how you can help:

Recognize abuse: Domestic violence is not always as obvious as black eyes and split lips. The signs can be more ambiguous, such as lapses in communication or changes in valued routines. Regular churchgoers, the Damas family stopped attending nine months prior to their murders. This seemingly small lifestyle change could have signaled an issue and started a conversation. If you notice such a change in a friend, relative or co-worker, don’t assume it means nothing. Call to see why you have not heard from them. Tell them you miss seeing them in church or at the gym. The response or lack of response may signal a concern and possibly save a life. You can learn more about the signs of domestic violence at naplesshelter.org/signs.

Report abuse: When you notice something suspicious, it may be easy to tell yourself that it is none of your business. This response can have disastrous and far-reaching results. Across the country, the mass murder in Las Vegas is on nearly everyone’s mind, lips and social media feed. As I write this, we know very little about the killer, but we do know that many mass-murderers have had a history of domestic violence prior to committing their violent public attacks. Failure to recognize and report domestic violence can put the entire community at risk because violence at home does not stop at the front door.

There is no amount of justice that can restore the lives of Guerline and her children, but we can honor their memory by collaborating to end domestic violence and human trafficking in our community so that no other family will ever bear this kind of pain.

If you suspect or observe domestic violence, call the CCSO tips line at 239-252-9300 or go to colliersheriff.org/how-do-i-/tip-us-off (you may remain anonymous). If you are a victim of abuse or feel unsafe due to a violent relationship, call The Shelter’s 24-hour Crisis Line at 239-775-1101.