Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) stands with the victims and survivors of Domestic Violence. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, NAM will host a Wreath Ceremony in the lobby, prompting our clients and visitors to adorn the wreath with a ribbon. The butterfly ribbons will symbolize the many domestic violence stories of those in our community. A moment of silence is encouraged while participating, as well as sharing a picture to social media- utilizing the hashtags #YouAreNOTAlone and #NAMhelps.
“NAM’s Family Violence Center is dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence by assisting victims of domestic and sexual violence through crisis intervention, long-term support services, and through community violence and awareness education,” stated Sheryl Johnson, Director of NAM’s Family Violence Center. The Family Violence Center has chosen to highlight two stories this month from survivors that have benefitted from the many services of the department.
Lucia is a survivor of domestic violence and has been working very hard towards independence. She has the help of her support system that consists of friends, family, her FVC therapist, and case manager, along with her self-determination. Since becoming a client, Lucia was able to obtain transportation on her own. This has already helped her maintain her job, attend her medical appointments, and at her appointments at NAM. Lucia has been working hard on regaining her self-confidence, alleviate her depression, and improve her financial self-dependency.
Chelsey was fleeing from her violent husband, with 3 little girls. They found space in a shelter, which came to an end after 3 months. Chelsey and her girls slept in her car for weeks, before finding NAM and the FVC for assistance. She called the Hotline looking for help with anything,but was determined not to return to the toxic life with her husband. Working with a case manager, Chelsey was able to prioritize her concerns; while searching for a new residence, she found new employment. Once she found an apartment, the FVC was able to help Chelsey with the deposit and first month’s rent. She was so excited that she took a chance calling the FVC Hotline asking for help that day, and is thrilled that she received more than what she asked for.
For more information on the Wreath Ceremony, please contact Kenneth Richmond, Communications Specialist, at krichmond@namonline.org. If you or someone you know requires assistance from NAM’s Family Violence Center, please call our 24- hour Hotline at (281) 885- HOPE (4673).
Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM assists in areas such as food, shelter, health, education, and domestic violence awareness and intervention. During its last fiscal year, NAM touched the lives of more than 132,000 people through its many programs and services.