October 2017 

SHELTER HOUSE CHANGING LIVES NEWSLETTER
CHIPPING IN TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GOLF TOURNAMENT


From top left: United Bank, Datastrong and Coopers Ginsberg Gray
Click  here  to view all photos from the tournament!

Hosted by Cooper Ginsberg Gray, the 17th annual Chipping in to End Domestic Violence Charity Golf Tournament was held on September 29, 2017 at The Golf Club at Lansdowne. Board Member, David Ginsberg, and the team at Cooper Ginsberg Gray dedicated countless hours to planning such an amazing event, which raised over $35,000! 

All proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit the victims of domestic violence currently being served at Artemis House - Fairfax County's only 24-hour emergency domestic violence shelter. 

A special thanks to all who attended, including our most-valued sponsors:

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

As we recognize the 30th Anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Shelter House is working to increase public knowledge of Domestic Violence.

Statistics:
  • 1-in-4 women will be a victim of Domestic Violence in her lifetime. That is more than breast cancer, ovarian cancer and lung cancer combined.
  • 99% of all cases of Domestic Violence include financial abuse.
  • More than 3 million children witness Domestic Violence each year, which:
    • delays academic success
    • leads to behavioral issues, delinquencies and substance abuse
    • teaches them that violence is a normal way of life - therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers
  • Domestic Violence affects all. It cost the U.S. economy more than $83 billion each year, is the leading cause for family homelessness and is the single largest category of calls received by local police.
Domestic violence thrives when we are silent, but if we take a stand and work together as a community, we can make a difference. Throughout the month of October, help Shelter House to raise awareness and join our movement to end domestic violence.  Here is what you can do:
 
Donate or Volunteer
  • Make a donation to Shelter House in honor of the people in your life who have been impacted by domestic violence. 
  • Volunteer your time at one of our three emergency shelters: Artemis House, Katherine Hanley Family Shelter or Patrick Henry Family Shelter
Join Our Month of Action
  • Join our Purple Purse Fundraising team. Imagine the money we could raise together if you reached out to your network about our cause! 
  • Participate in the fun events we have planned throughout the month of October
Wear Purple  
  • Purple Out Fairfax: Wear purple, the color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, on Thursday, October 19th to honor victims and support survivors of Domestic Violence #DVAM2017!
  Join the Conversation Online
DONATE TO OUR CAUSE FOR THE PURPLE PURSE CHALLENGE


Join Shelter House for The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge, a public awareness and fundraising campaign aimed at raising awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence and financial abuse and the need for resources to help survivors. Non-profit organizations serving domestic violence survivors around the U.S. compete to raise money to provide life-changing financial empowerment services to help domestic violence survivors build a safer life for themselves and their families.

The Purple Purse Challenge runs from Monday, October 2 at 12:00 pm through Tuesday, October 31 at 1:59:59 pm.

The team that raises the most online during the Challenge will win $100,000 donation. Additionally, there will be Weekly Bonus Challenges that offer extra opportunities for Shelter House to win another $115,000.

100% of all proceeds collected through our  CrowdRise site  will go directly to Shelter House and the clients we serve. We are competing with 220 nonprofit organizations nation-wide in this challenge, so help us be one of the top charities!
 
Help Shelter House Win $100,000 - Extra Incentive

To further boost Shelter House's fundraising efforts, all donors who donated $250 or more will be entered into a raffle to win a Purple Purse & Clutch designed by tennis champion and Purple Purse ambassador, Serena Williams. Handcrafted from premium Italian leather, the limited-edition purse is valued at $400."It's sophisticated, but also spacious enough for carrying everyday essentials," Williams says. "It is my hope that the lucky recipients of this handbag will wear it proudly as they help get the word out around this inspiring cause."
 
Support a great cause by donating $250 or more, and be entered for a chance to win this beauty. Compassion looks good on EVERYONE!

UNMASK DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - REGISTER TODAY! 
 
Join Shelter House for our first ever "Unmask Domestic Violence" Event. This complimentary event will be held on Friday, October 29th from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the PJ Skidoos in Fairfax.
 
The evening will be filled with great food, fabulous raffle prizes, networking and much more. We hope you can join us to help raise awareness of domestic violence and honoring the accomplishments Shelter House has made.
 
Limited tickets are available, so please click below to reserve your spot today!

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - DAVID GINSBERG


David Ginsberg is a highly valued member of Shelter House's Board of Directors. In addition to providing great insight to the organization, he and the team at Cooper Ginsberg Gray, have consistently dedicated over 17 years to Shelter House by hosting their annual Chipping in to End Domestic Violence Golf Tournament to benefit the clients we serve at Artemis House. 

How and why did you initially become involved with Shelter House?
As a divorce attorney, my career has exposed me to numerous domestic violence incidents. From the onset of my career, I was determined to help domestic violence victims. My assistance has involved pro-bono legal services and raising funds for Artemis House. 

When thinking about the Board, what does success look like to you?
Success would be increasing the number and/or effectiveness of prevention and education programs that reduce domestic violence and homelessness in our community. I feel that the more information and resources available to our community will reduce the number of victims overall. 

What are the strategic goals you would like to achieve while on the Board?
I would like to continue educating the community about the realities of domestic violence and homelessness to help build a network of support services for those in need. In addition, I hope to foster a community that works together and cooperates to help those who are most vulnerable, and give them the support they need to thrive.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT - VAN METRE HOMES


Shelter House is proud to highlight Van Metre Homes, the largest local and independent home builder in Northern Virginia. Most recently, Van Metre Homes donated over $7,400 to Shelter House from their "Spring of Giving" campaign, which allowed customers to select one of three non-profit organizations for Van Metre Homes to make a donation to. Customer were also encouraged to make a donation of their own to the same organization. 

What is Van Metre Homes passionate about and what inspires the organization to give to charity?
Van Metre is a privately-owned company. Our founder, Al Van Metre, made philanthropy an integral part of the culture - a tradition carried on by the owners and executive leadership today! Because of their commitment, the entire company is empowered to make philanthropy and volunteerism a priority to their personal and professional lives. 

What made you give to Shelter House when choosing an organization?
Since our mission is to provide new homes for people in the community, supporting organizations that offer a safe place to call home for people facing obstacles to stable housing was an ideal fit. Shelter House has an excellent reputation for success that we have seen first-hand. Van Metre recently completed a renovation for Shelter House, making the organization the perfect choice for our Spring Giving Campaign. 

What motivates you to stay involved? 
Van Metre encourages employees to spend time volunteering and generally giving back. Having the opportunity to make a larger difference in this way is extremely motivating and serves as a good reminder that building a community does not simply mean building new homes, but erasing barriers to the success of everyone in the community, regardless of past obstacles. 
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - GRACING SPACES 


Gracing Spaces dedicates their mission to serving organizations in Fairfax County to transform empty spaces into "homes" for individuals and families who need their help. Gracing Spaces serves all of the shelters we operate and we appreciate all of the assistance they provide to the clients we serve to help ensure their stay with us feels just like "home". 

What is Gracing Spaces passionate about and what inspires the organization to volunteer?
We love it when we hear excitement in our volunteers' voices, in addition to the sound of them being tired and overwhelmed - this is because it means we needed to be there. "Our" families now know they are being cared for, while finding strength to go forth, pass it on to their families, and in turn, our mission is successful.

How and why did you initially become involved with Shelter House? 
13 years ago, instead of throwing a traditional wedding shower, a bride invited her mom and a group of friends to organize and perform an extreme makeover on a community room of a halfway house for drug-addicted women. What her group didn't know then, was how that single experience would inspire them and many others to continue that type of volunteerism in the community for years to come! Today, Gracing Spaces furnishes apartments for Shelter House and other Fairfax County non-profit organizations in-need of the basics to live. We "grace" each space with furniture, beds, kitchen items, pictures, rugs and more to make each space into a home. Every time we are about to furnish a space, we load our truck with hope for each family for the opportunity to begin a new life together!

Why do you enjoy volunteering? 
We laugh and hug, always receiving payment in the form of smiles. The attitudes we come across are always the very best kind. We all work like well-tuned machines that know and show we can. All things we do are with kindness and fun. The gratitude we receive from thankful social workers, families and organizations for being able to grace these spaces is so rewarding!  
UPCOMING EVENTS 

Purple Purse Challenge 
This October, the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge will give Shelter House and other participating non-profit organizations the chance to raise significant funds to provide life-changing services for domestic violence victims and survivors. To donate to Shelter House during this Challenge, click here to be directed to our donation page!
October 2 - 31

Not Your Average Joe's Cause of the Month
Support Shelter House during Not Your Average Joe's Cause of the Month  every Wednesday in October. Mention Shelter House and 15% of all proceeds will go directly to supporting the homeless families and victims of domestic violence we serve! 
October 4, 11, 18, 25 

Kendra Scott Gives Back Party 
Philanthropy has become an integral part of the Kendra Scott  brand and company. Shelter House is excited to partner with Kendra Scott as they host a Giving Back Party - 20% of all proceeds will directly benefit Shelter House and the clients we serve. 
October 12

Dance "Under the Lights" for Domestic Violence
Looking to bring excitement to your Friday night plans? Join Shelter House and LoCo Motion Fitness for a Zumba class with two of the best  instructors in Northern Virginia! 100% of all proceeds will  benefit the victims of domestic violence we serve.  Dance Under the Lights in PURPLE, to symbolize  peace, courage, honor and dedication to ending violence. The class is complimentary, however, we are encouraging all attendees to make a donation to the Purple Purse Challenge. RSVP here! 
October 20

P.J. Skidoo's Unmask Domestic Violence Happy Hour 
In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Shelter House has partnered with P.J. Skidoo's in Fairfax. Join us as we "Unmask Domestic Violence". Raffle tickets will be sold at this event - all proceeds will benefit Artemis House, supporting the victims of domestic violence Shelter House serves. Click here  to RSVP today!
October 27
     
   

 
       From November 11 to November 19, 
       Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
       is  an annual program  where people come together 
       across  the country to draw attention to the problems 
       of hunger and homelessness. 






On November 15,  National Philanthropy Day is the day that thousands around the world come together to both put that word into action and recognize the change that word has brought to our communities. 





November 28th, the Tuesday  after Thanksgiving, is  Giving Tuesday ,  a coordinated, national fundraising effort  when all non-profit organizations will ask  their supporters to dig a little deeper to help  those in need before year-end holidays.
 
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