SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 31 2017
5th Annual Hope-A-Palooza
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80's Flashback
Emporia State University
Memorial Union
Black and Gold Ballroom
Join Honorary Chairpersons Chip and Allison Garrett at the SOS Hope-A-Palooza featuring Fast Times on March 31, at Emporia State University in the Black and Gold Ballroom.
Enjoy cocktail hour starting at 5:30 pm, dinner starting at 6:15pm followed by live and silent auctions, and concert by Fast Times. Reserve a table or purchase individual tickets for the evening, tickets only $50 each.
The live auction features experiences such as a DK100 registration, tickets to Disney and a Branson trip for up to eight people.
Fast Times is an 80's and 90's high energy, entertainment band. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. and concert only tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Gravel City Roasters or Granada Coffee Company in Emporia.
For more information on Hope-A-Palooza, contact the Community Relations Coordinator, Taumi Boyce at 620-343-8799 or by email.
Thank you to this year's current Top Tier Sponsors: Emporia Gazette, KVOE, Nick Jacobs and Steve Cahoone with American Family Insurance, ValuNet Fiber, ESB Financial, Bobby D's Merchant St BBQ, Jon Geitz with Edward Jones, Clint Bowyer Autoplex, and Camso Manufacturing USA LTD.
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Child Advocacy Center Blossoms
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Brandi Galbreath, CAC Family Advocate, and Lucas Moody, CAC Director, in the family waiting room.
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Child Advocacy Center completes 133 forensic interviews in 2016.
Since opening its doors in June of 2002, the Child Advocacy Center has offered compassionate, child-focused services for those children and families referred to their program. The CAC represents a collaborative partnership of dedicated professionals encompassing child protective and legal services, law enforcement, medical and mental health experts, as well as other relevant disciplines necessary to providing a coordinated, competent response team when child abuse, neglect, is reported or suspected. Referrals for assistance are made directly to our child advocates by local police or the Department for Children & Families after allegations have been reported in either Coffey, Chase, Lyon or Morris counties; an ever increasing demographic diligently served by
SOS, Inc.
In 2016, the CAC conducted 133 total interviews, or a reported 63% increase over the previous year. Lucas Moody, the CAC Director, also confirmed the Center has conducted 1427 interviews since its inception and their services will likely eclipse the 1,500 mark by 2017 years' end.
In addition to the notable increase in demand, Moody has strived to provide more outreach education within the community. During the past year alone he has personally given over 20 presentations covering the crucial topics of Mandated Reporting, Sexual assault, and Sexting/Internet Safety to a variety of groups that included, but were not limited to, Emporia State's nursing program, college fraternities, ESU THRIVE and student teachers, Head Start, and the Emporia Department of Recreation.
When asked about a direct correlation between the rise in interviews and number of presentations, Lucas believed such a conclusion was quite reasonable, despite the absence of concrete data, but that these statistical parallels were more likely a direct reflection of decreased funding for social services; specifically in the area of mental health. Regardless, Moody reiterated his commitment to fostering a greater awareness and understanding of all SOS programs offered within the community, including addressing the common misconception SOS is solely a Domestic Violence agency. "Through the proven approach of "brand" marketing, finding a larger audience through social media while ensuring a more personal experience by increased participation in popular community events like Dirty Kanza, or joint programs like SOS Strong, the more likely people will volunteer for SOS or refer our services during someone's greatest hour of need."
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Brandi Galbreath, CAC Family Advocate, (L) shows use of the smartboard in the interview room; while Lucas Moody, CAC Director (R) provides insight about the control room where the team watches and interacts with the interview live.
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Emporia Officer thanking SOS Staff.
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Crisis Services Give Back
SOS Crisis Services works with law enforcement, at some capacity, on an almost daily basis. Our staff members realize how much police officers do for our clients and the community at large, and yet often with so little recognition or appreciation. Despite working under a constant microscope of scrutiny and an increasingly volatile environment, these brave men and women knowingly venture into harm's way every time they dawn the uniform. Therefore, as a measure of our gratitude and respect, Crisis Services devised a plan to help give back during the Holiday season.
After secretly gathering information on the Emporia Police Department and Lyon County Sherriff's Office, Crisis personnel secretly prepared home-cooked meals throughout the day and delivered them to officers in both respected units. Vanessa Apodaca and her family volunteered for the breakfast shift, while Yvette Sosa and the Connie Barb-Cortez crew made burritos, homemade tortilla chips, for the evening shifts. A number of Crisis team members were equally vital, donating ingredients for the meals and graciously delivering food throughout the day and night. In a world too often brimming with negativity or discord, SOS was proud to honor those who also tirelessly work to make our community a better and safer place. Thank you Crisis Services for your continued compassion and selfless acts of kindness.
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SOS Staff delivering home-made meals to Lyon County Sheriff's Department and Emporia Police Department.
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Thank You
Dear SOS friends,
We are so grateful feels so inadequate to describe how we feel. You have helped us make our clients Christmas extra special this year. This includes 48 families, 156 people total with 106 children. So many individuals, businesses, organizations all came together to help us make a difference. Our offices looked like Santa had brought a semi instead of a sleigh this Christmas.
May God bless each of you for your help, your heart, and your hands!
Happy 2017!
Best wishes,
Connie J Cahoone, SOS Executive Director and the SOS team
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Child Abuse Summit
A Look into Youth Suicide
APRIL 27, 2017
9am-4pm
Emporia, KS
The SOS annual Child Abuse Summit will take place at Flint Hills Technical School and will feature Dr. Barry N. Feldman, Director of Psychiatry Programs in Public Safety and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UMass Medical School. Dr. Feldman is nationally recognized as both an educator and researcher in suicide intervention and prevention, and will be speaking about youth suicide.
For more information on our annual Child Abuse Summit, contact Taumi Boyce, Community Relations Coordinator at 620-343-8799 or by
email.
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Survivor Success
9 yr old Tami was a beacon of strength and hope when we first interviewed her at the (CAC) child advocacy center. After Tami disclosed sexual abuse by her then mother's boyfriend, the strength and hope that was initially noticed seemed to shine brighter after the burden that she carried for so long was finally released. After her interview with the CAC, the CAC was able to create and establish a successful and strong relationship with the family as well as offer victim-centered support services and resources within the community.
Throughout a lengthy court battle, the offender was prosecuted for his crimes and justice was served for Tami and her family. Because of this brave young lady's strength and hope in a time of darkness and uncertainty, she found the courage to use her voice and fight back and become a sense of strength and hope for other children who have endured similar events and become the inspiration so desperately needed in a world full of darkness as well as light.
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SOS' Wishlist, can you help?
SOS provides a variety of services to assist victims of sexual and domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, stalking and human trafficking.
Current Wishlist for SOS Shelter - Pantry Items
Cereal
Oatmeal
Canned Meat (Chicken, Tuna)
Canned Fruits & Vegetables
Canned Beans
Canned Pasta Meals
Canned Soup
Macaroni and Cheese
Granola Bars/Snack Packs
Condiments
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Bottled Water
Cooking Staples
For more information on SOS' needs or to drop off donations, contact Taumi Boyce, Community Relations Coordinator at 620-343-8799 or by
email.
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