Univ. of Washington Memorial Walk 2010

[Note: pictures may not be in exact order]



Hey folks, on October 27th at noon we were on hand for the 1st UW Memorial Walk for victims of domestic violence. It was a powerful event and we snapped up a few photos in case you missed it. A big thank you to the Sexual Assault & Relationship Violence Information Service (SARIS) at the UW, the UW Police Department, Michele Puckhaber who compiled the stories below and everyone who came out in support.

The six students/staff/faculty we remembered:


April 2, 2007- Rebecca Griego, 26  - Gould Hall

"Rebecca was a program coordinator at the college of Architecture and Urban Planning. On April 2, 2007, her ex-boyfriend, Jonathan Rowan walked into her fourth floor office and shot Rebecca and then shot and killed himself. Rebecca had been stalked by Jonathan for months before her slaying. She had taken actions to protect herself from Jonathan including obtaining a Domestic Violence Protection Order, moving from her apartment and changing her phone number."

Facebook Milestone - We reach 1000 fans, I mean, "Likes"

[If you wanted to invent Facebook, you would've invented Facebook!]

New Beginnings reached the big 1000 in Facebook fans/followers/likes-people. It's a big number and we are very fortunate to have such a large network of supporters. For such a milestone, we wanted to know more about the person behind the number! Staff, friend, family, volunteer, donor, concern citizen? Find out as we sat down with the 1000th "fan" and got to know more:

Here's Monica (right) with her mom!

My Name: Monica Brothers

Clothesline Project! - Shoreline Community College Edition

["Is there a...Loon...Loontjens...Lois...Loontjens still there? She was President when I audited you guys a while back..."]

Hey folks, we were at Shoreline Community College's Clothesline Exhibit this past Friday for a few hours and we snapped up some shots in case you couldn't make it. Each Clothesline event we've been to has really been powerful to see. I think one of the things that stands out is when people walk by and ask if this is some traveling exhibit. When we tell them that they are shirts made by students/faculty/staff at this school, they are always shocked. Domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse are things that people don't want to believe happens here or happens to people they see walking around campus. One of the things that the Clothesline project really reveals is that truth and I'm glad that it does.

Spotted In The Wild!

[The things you see when shopping for rug-cleaner on a Wednesday night...]

Our "End Domestic Violence" poster spotted at the Northgate Target. Though I frequent this establishment, it wasn't me who posted this. Thanks to whoever did!  

Volunteer Newsletter

[The 3-2 pitch...]



Clothesline Project!
On Wednesday October 20th from 10:30am-2pm New Beginnings will be at North Seattle Community College hosting an information booth! We’ll be part of a special on-campus event called the Clothesline project which speaks specifically to raising awareness about DV. If you’re not familiar with the project, read more here! Stop by if you’re in the neighborhood at the Baxter Events Center!

AND we’ll be at Shoreline Community College on Friday October 22nd from 11am-2pm as part of their Clothesline project at the PUB Lobby-9000 Bldg.

We’re always looking for volunteers to help us staff the information booth so let me know if you can!

September Volunteer of the Month! - Nikki Cain

[100 people surveyed top 5 answers on the board...]
A big congrats to our September Volunteer of the Month - Nikki Cain!

Here's what our staff had to say about Nikki:

"Nikki has been volunteering with New Beginnings at the DV Family Law Clinic since Summer 2008. Nikki volunteers about twice each month and has eagerly volunteered to take on additional responsibilities."


"Nikki creates a welcoming environment, helping to put survivors at ease as they finalize their key questions for the volunteer attorney. Nikki is always eager and willing to contribute in whatever way she can -- whether it be spending extra time with a survivor who needs her listening ears to help sort through the relevant points to share with the attorney or using her tech savvy to address a computer problem."

We had a chance to chat with Nikki after presenting her with the award!

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Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: I am a feminist and a partner and a new puppy mama and a fierce advocate for social justice. I work for Onlineshoes.com, I volunteer at the legal clinic and I read voraciously. Wine and wonderful food and excited conversation are often involved in my favorite moments.

Northwest Men's Project!

Hey folks, a quick note from a former New Beginnings volunteer and good friend of the organization, Eli Crawford who now heads the Northwest Men's Project. They're looking for a few volunteers on the 17th and I think this is a great opportunity to help out and reach an audience that we may not have otherwise seen! Please contact Eli if you'd like to chip in!

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The Northwest Men's Project works with youth and adults to build and support positive masculinities, and to change beliefs, behaviors and policies that perpetuate men's violence. By nurturing masculinities that embrace strength, respect and honor without being violent, harmful or dominating, we can create safer communities, more engaged youth, and healthier futures.


Outreach: Volunteers will be engaging passers by in discussing a spectrum of violence exercise. The exercise illuminates the importance of interventions at the "lower end" of the spectrum, which is where cultural norms regarding sexism, male dominance and the objectification of women are either supported or addressed as problematic. This exercise will be utilized as a tool to promote our upcoming event: Opening Doors: Exploring Men's Roles in Ending Violence

Event Support: Opening Doors: Exploring Men's Roles in Ending Violence. Sunday, Oct. 17th 3:00 -- 6:00 pm. Volunteers are needed to help before and after the event with set up and take down. Interested volunteers may also assist with staffing at arts/discussion tables. Please contact for more info.

If you would like to get involved please contact Eli Crawford @ 206-718-6177 or eli@northwestmensproject.org

thanks for all that you do

eli

Eli Crawford
Program Director
Northwest Men's Project
(206) 718-6177
http://www.northwestmensproject.org/

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And...they're off!

We kicked off our Fall 2010 Volunteer Training with a bang this past Tuesday and it was great to see the enthusiasm and passion for domestic violence in the room! We have sign-ups to bring snacks/drinks for the training days and also for help cleaning up at the end. Check it out and please sign up if you haven't already! Remember that the ever-popular "chips and salsa" will be provided by New Beginnings each training day.



SNACKS/DRINKS
Oct 7th -
Oct 12th - Heidi L.
Oct 14th - Allison K.
Oct 19th - Amy W and Rebeca O.
Oct 21st - Rachel A.
Oct 26th - Amy V. and Monica B.
Oct 28th - Mary M. and Sarah A.
Nov 2nd - Alex K. and Ashley W.
Nov 4th - Teresa H. and Lauren G.
Nov 9th - Mark B. and Alison K.
Nov 11th - POTLUCK!!!

CLEANUP
Oct 7th - Susan L.

Oct 12th - Amy T.
Oct 14th - Amy T.
Oct 19th -
Oct 21st -
Oct 26th -
Oct 28th -
Nov 2nd -
Nov 4th -
Nov 9th -
Nov 11th - POTLUCK!!! (Everybody!)

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Let me know in the comments if you'd like to sign up for anything!

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Thanks everyone. And remember to dress warm for the next few trainings. Our heater probably won't be fixed for a few weeks.