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Northwest Illinois was good to VOICES in August. The VOICES Book Nook, which benefits VOICES, held its Summer Half-Price Sale. It drew shoppers from across the area who scooped up bargains while helping a great cause. We appreciate all who attended and boosted our organization. The Fall Half-Price Sale will be Nov. 3-12.
Two grants also came our way in August. Fifth Third Bank and the State Bank Foundation each awarded grants to VOICES. Thank you so much to both of these generous donors.
Fifth Third Bank's gift will enable VOICES to buy gas cards for survivors struggling to make ends meet as they move forward with their lives. These gas cards make a tangible difference as it allows survivors to work, go to school, take children to school, go to the doctor or see a counselor. It is especially important as statistics show that between 50 to 60 percent of all domestic violence survivors live below the poverty line. Additional gas card donations also are welcome.
State Bank's donation provide a means for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families to engage in physical activity to help them recover from the trauma they have experienced. Many times these survivors lack the resources to join a gym or visit a pool when the exercise would be a great stress reliever. Individuals selected would be referred by a VOICES counselor or advocate. The program makes available punch cards to the survivors and their family members to a local fitness center that would enable access to these much-needed workout resources.
These gifts are greatly needed. After crunching the July 2022 numbers, we learned that VOICES served 29 new domestic violence clients in July 2022 -- 12 more new domestic violence clients than we served in July 2021. Staff provided 95.6 more hours of service to sexual assault clients in July 2022 than they did in July 2021 -- and the numbers keep trending upward.
VOICES provides advocacy, counseling, housing and emergency shelter services to survivors.
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