Bonita Springs Elementary thanks Shelter advocates

, ,

The Shelter’s Healthy Friendships Advocate Sandi Hack and Raising Gentle’men Advocate Sergio Lopez recently received a special party to thank them for presenting their prevention programs at the school.

“It was so very sweet,” said Sandi. “They truly love the presentations and the work The Shelter is doing to help prevent domestic violence before it even begins.”

Sandi said the school’s guidance counselor conducted a survey of behavior referrals prior to and following the presentations. The results showed a significant drop in the number of referrals following the presentations.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”59″ gal_title=”Bonita Springs Elementary”]

Shelter recognizes three team members

,

The Shelter honored three members of its team, May 11, during the monthly staff meeting.

Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus presented DV Advocate Berta Garcia (left in photo left) and InVEST Advocate Anabel Sathan with their five-year pins in recognition of service to The Shelter.

Shelter Director of Operations  Julie Franklin (photo right) was also honored as Employee of the Quarter. This is what her fellow co-worker had to say:

Julie Franklin deserves this nomination because of her hard work, dedication and positive attitude. She manages The Shelter’s finances and reports on a monthly basis to the Board of Directors, Trustees, Collier County and private donors. This might sound like a simple task, but when you take a closer look, these reports are comprehensive, which includes our fundraising events, donations, and grants.

You might notice that Julie carries two bags, one being her purse and a large tote with folders. This tote is her weekend homework; she works almost every weekend to complete our financial reports in timely manner. Did I mention she also handles all the renovations of The Shelter and Options?

After understanding Julie’s critical role in our agency and the stresses involved in her position, I am amazed with her positive and happy outlook. Julie also has a big, kind heart and truly cares about all our staff members. She is always willing to help and is a creative problem solver. She doesn’t like to say, “no”, instead Julie finds creative compromises to difficult situations. Julie Franklin is an absolute pleasure to work with and makes our shelter family complete!

Congratulations to Anabel, Berta and Julie! Thank you for going above and beyond! Your dedication makes a positive difference for the staff and families we serve.

 

Linda Oberhaus named to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

,

Linda Oberhaus2The Shelter for Abused Women & Children and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Executive Director Linda Oberhaus was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“We are excited for Linda as well as The Shelter,” said Linda Hinds, Board Chair for The Shelter. “She is well deserving of this honor, and her presence on the NCADV board will help raise our local mission and programming to the national level.”

Oberhaus has more than 25 years of professional experience in the human services field. She has served as Executive Director of The Shelter since 2007, coming to the position from Tampa, FL, where she served as Executive Director at The Spring of Tampa Bay.

A graduate of the University of South Florida, Oberhaus earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. She also completed post graduate courses in nonprofit management at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School.

Oberhaus has previously served as a board member of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative. She is a graduate of Leadership Hillsborough Class of 2007, Leadership Collier Class of 2010 and Leadership Florida Class of 2013. She is also a 2015 graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy.

As a member of the NCADV board, Oberhaus will help create national policy and uphold the board’s mission to create a culture where domestic violence is not tolerated; and where society empowers victims and survivors, and holds abusers accountable.

“We are pleased to have Linda join our board,” said NCADV Executive Director Ruth M. Glenn. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help NCADV affect public policy, increase understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and provide programs and education that drive that change.”

Immokalee Harvest Festival 2016

, ,

Immokalee Harvest Festival best

The Shelter’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) participated in Immokalee’s Harvest Festival, April 23, 2016.

The YAC is composed of 10-20 youth representatives from across Collier County, ages 12-20. The mission of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is to inspire social change by providing education, empowerment, advocacy, and support to the community to broaden awareness and increase prevention of unhealthy relationships and break the cycle of violence. For more information, click here!

Immokalee Community Health Fair well attended

,

IMG_5851Over 50 people attended the Community Health Fair, Sunday, April 10, sponsored by The Shelter for Abused Women & Children at the Florida Department of Health in Immokalee.

Shelter Haitian Outreach Advocate Johanne Pierre addressed the group in English and Creole, discussing programs and services offered by The Shelter. The event was free and included no-cost adult health screenings, HIV/AIDS testing. Other participating agencies included the Department of Health, American Income Life, Florida Southwestern State College, Florida State University and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

For more information, contact Pierre at 239-775-3862 ext. 229 or by email at jpierre@naplesshelter.org. The Shelter, Collier County’s only certified domestic violence center, 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.

Rebecca Thompson touts ‘Old Bags’ Luncheon on Fox 4 Morning Blend

, , ,

The Shelter’s Stewardship Manager Rebecca Thompson discusses The Shelter’s Old Bags Luncheon on Fox 4’s Morning Blend program. The event will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 24, at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. CLICK HERE for tickets

Linda Oberhaus on Fox 4 Morning Blend

, , ,

The Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus discusses Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month on Fox 4’s Morning Blend, Feb. 12, 2016.

Linda Oberhaus addresses human trafficking on Fox 4 Morning Blend

, ,


Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus discussed human trafficking on Fox 4’s Morning Blend, Jan. 21, 2016. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Deb Alvarez and Dorota Janasik celebrate five years with The Shelter

,

Deb Alvarez and Dorota Janasik recently celebrated their five year anniversaries for service to The Shelter. Congratulations to these two dedicated ladies.

Maylen Garcia named Employee of the Quarter

,


Maylen award 11-15 (3)

Congratulations to Maylen Garcia, The Shelter Employee of the Quarter! Maylen was surprised to tears! Here is what her fellow co-worker had to say.

“Maylen always goes above and beyond for her participants and her team. Maylen took over both Economic Empowerment and Transitional Housing in the midst of its expansion. On a daily basis Maylen manages 28 people or a “small shelter” and she does it with a smile and ambition. In the midst of changing out two cottages this month, accepting and orienting two new families, she also coordinated, managed and executed our Allstate Financial Literacy Program. Maylen is motivated, is a team player and is always there to support her team and her participants. Maylen is an amazing advocate who has made progress professionally and personally to be the advocate that she is today. Maylen is an essential part of our outreach team and is a pleasure to work with.”

 Congratulations Maylen! Thank you for making a positive difference for the families we serve!

Liz Garcia celebrates 15 years with The Shelter

,

Shelter advocate Liz Garcia celebrated her 15th anniversary with The Shelter on Nov. 5, 2015. Liz loves travel and celebrated her milestone anniversary during a travel-themed party planned by her colleagues.

 

Karen Harmon featured on Fox 4 Morning Blend

, ,

The Shelter’s Community Education and Training Manager Karen Harmon was a recent guest on Fox 4’s Morning Blend. Karen discussed The Shelter and the upcoming Mercato Goes Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness, Oct. 24.

CLICK  to view the video

Capture

Rosa Leon receives 10-year pin

,
Rosa 10 years 10-15 (13)

Rosa Leon, right, receives her 10-year pin from Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus.

Congratulations to Shelter Contracts and Grants Manager Rosa Leon on her 10th anniversary of service to to The Shelter. She is shown receiving her 10-year pin from Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus.

 

Josie Means on Fox 4 Morning Blend

, ,

The Shelter Immokalee Outreach Office Manager Josie Means was a recent guest on Fox 4’s Morning Blend. Josie discussed the services offered by the outreach office and the upcoming Children’s Fair and Peace March, Monday, Oct. 26.

Tamika Seaton featured on Morning Blend

,

Senior Development Officer Tamika Seaton was a recent guest on Fox 4’s Morning Blend Show. Tamika discussed the Purple Party and other special events during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Linda Oberhaus on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

, ,

Thank you to Fox 4’s Morning Blend Show for hosting The Shelter’s Executive Director Linda Oberhaus. The topic was activities planned for October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Sandra Marrero discusses Purple Purse Challenge on Fox 4’s Morning Blend

, ,

The Shelter’s Grant Manager Sandra Marrero discussed The Purple Purse Challenge on Fox 4’s Morning Blend Show. Check out the full interview below:

Pat Mantey celebrates 5 years with The Shelter

,

Congratulations to Emergency Shelter Advocate Pat Mantey on her five year anniversary with The Shelter. Pat served as a volunteer with The Shelter for six years prior to accepting a full-time position serving our emergency shelter participants. She is shown receiving her five-year pin from Shelter Executive Director Linda Oberhaus.

Pat and Linda

Pat Mantey, left, with Linda Oberhaus

 

Shelter’s Rosa Leon in the news

,

Rosa with dollsShelter Contracts Manager Rosa Leon has been making the news lately for inspiring young and old with her line of hand-made dolls modeled after accomplished women in history.

Read the full stories:

Naples Daily News and Florida Weekly

Click here to view Rosa’s Bog

Tamika Seaton on Morning Blend Show

, , ,

The Shelter’s Senior Development Officer Tamika Seaton discussed planned giving during a recent edition of Fox 4’s Morning Blend. Check out the full interview below.