From the Desk of your Friendly Neighborhood CEO

During the fall, I eagerly await two things: the time I can start harvesting seeds, and the time I can start re-arranging the plants in my garden. I go outside daily and look at the spent blooms, checking to see if the seeds are ripe. As they ripen, you will see me grabbing random cups and containers and snipping off sections to dry out in my garage. One clear sign is when the birds start to eat them! Then you know for sure the seeds are ready. I carefully snip just enough off the plant for myself, making sure to leave the rest for the animals who will need them over the winter. Collecting seeds is making a promise. I collect native plant seeds to share with people I know so that they can begin their own native gardens. I collect seeds and spread them in my yard to ensure there are more native plants to nurture our native wildlife. 

I am making a promise to nurture. My collection of seeds is a tangible way to make a promise and the growth I see the very the next Spring is a visual result. Seeing the results makes this an easy and enjoyable task. I know, without a doubt, that I will get to see the fruits of my labor. 

Collecting and planting seeds is really nothing new to me. This is just a different form of the same promise. I started planting seeds over 20 years ago-- the seeds of thought. One here, a sprinkle over there. Some were for preschool children and teenagers, others for adults involved with DCFS, and schoolteachers.

We plant these seeds at Anew every day. We often share common myths and replace them with the facts about domestic violence in presentations. More than once, with a group during their Sunday church service. We leave and then the seeds germinate. Eventually we get a call, "someone at my church needs help, I was at your presentation, and I think they are being abused. What can I do?" The promise is fulfilled. A victim of domestic violence finds their way to us, and our talented, highly skilled staff support and nurture them. They learn ways to be safe and deal with the trauma of the abuse. 

But in most cases, we don't get to see the results of the seeds we planted. We may never know if the teenagers we talked to last week will avoid being in an abusive relationship because of what they learned. I have talked to thousands of people in my career, and I don't know if what I shared with them helped them or someone they love to be safer. What I do know, is that the promise was made, and that promise will never be broken. My role may look much different now than it did all those years ago. Today, I spend my days ensuring Anew is healthy now and will remain healthy into the future. What drives me is the belief that every seed we plant and nurture has the potential to change a person's life for the better. Whether I get to see "if" or not is inconsequential. 

A promise is a promise. 

In Peace,

Jennifer

Hey there, folks! October isn't just about falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes; it's also Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Let's have a quick chat about what DVAM is and why it's so important.

What's Domestic Violence, Anyway?

Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is when someone tries to control and harm their partner through abusive behavior. It comes in different forms like physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, financial control, and manipulation. And guess what? It can happen to anyone, no matter who you are.

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DVAM is a big deal for several reasons.

Raising Awareness

We need to talk about this stuff. A lot of people don't realize how common and damaging domestic violence is. DVAM helps get the conversation going.

Honoring Survivors

DVAM is about celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors. It's a big shout-out to those who've been through unspeakable events, yet came out on the other side.

Prevention

When we talk about domestic violence, we're also working towards preventing it. The more we understand, the better we can stop it from happening. Anew continues to educate its community to one day see the fruit of planting seeds and truly breaking the cycle of violence.

Advocacy and Fundraising

Throughout DVAM, people and organizations rally to raise funds and support services for survivors. Your chance to make a difference.

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Getting involved in Domestic Violence Awareness Month is easy:

Educate Yourself. Start by learning what domestic violence is and how to spot it. The more you know, the more you can help. Sign up to take a Domestic Violence 101 presentation at Anew! It is a free, one-hour presentation, with limited spots at our Homewood Administrative Office.

Email rachel.f@anewdv.org if interested in attending!

Support Local Groups: Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse services the South Suburbs of Chicago. We provide services to both Cook and Will counties. All services are free to victims of domestic violence, due to those that support our work through monetary donations. Please consider donating, or becoming a monthly donor!

Spread the Word: Use your social media to share info about domestic violence. Share stories, resources, and helplines. Be a voice for change!

Attend Events or Sign Up for Donation Programs: You will see later how our October 6th's Sneaker Ball went, and you will also see opportunities to directly support our clients through our Adopt-A-Family holiday program.

Help a Friend: If you think someone you know is in an abusive relationship, be there for them. Let them know they're not alone. Save our 24-Hour Hotline Number, it is ALWAYS a good idea to have it on hand in case you or someone you know might need it: 708-335-3028.

Speak Up for Change: Support policies and laws that tackle domestic violence. Write to your local politicians and make some noise. Anew will notify its supporters when important national and local laws impact DV agencies and victims, and how you can help..

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month is all about making our world safer and more supportive for survivors. By getting involved and talking about it, we're taking steps toward a future where domestic violence is a thing of the past. Let's do this together!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored, attended, and donated, contributing to the absolute success of the Sneaker Ball! We had a sold out house of 250 people in the Normandy Room at the Olympia Fields Country Club-- a record attendance of any Keeping Dreams Alive event we have ever hosted!

Thanks to you all, our early estimated net revenue is...

$50,000!

This is a 15% increase in funds raised from last year's Sneaker Ball! We are so grateful to our sponsors and supporters for helping us reach our goal.

Enjoy the photos below, captured by Minnesma Photography, from the October 6th Sneaker Ball. From the beautiful room and wonderful staff at Olympia Fields Country Club, to the high energy sneaker parade and contest, to the sneaker cookies provided by the talented Meg Sakka of Panda Baby Cookies, to the tasty late night snack provided by Marco's Pizza, we will forever remember this notable night!

[Above] 2023 Staff Attendees

[Above] The 2023 Velton Lacefeld Award, Presented to Harlene Friedman, by CEO Jennifer Gabrenya.

[Below] Flossmoor Service League - recipient of the 2023 Diance Kessler Community Champion Award.

[Above] Board of Directors and CEO

See you all next year!

Colder weather has arrived, and before we know it, winter will be here! Anew hosts two programs for clients during the winter season: the Adopt-A-Family program, and the Coat Giving Tree program.

The Coat Giving Tree allows donors to provide a client’s winter coat and accessories. Clients in this program are facing financial hardships; this program is designed to alleviate the stress of purchasing winter necessities for clients and their families, so they can focus on other matters.

Adopt-A-Family allows donors to sponsor an individual or family with a holiday meal and/or grant their holiday wish lists for the Christmas season. These families impacted by domestic violence are also facing financial hardships and would not have a magical holiday if it weren’t for the program’s participants.

If you would like to sign up to participate in Adopt-A-Family or the Coat Giving Tree, or both programs, fill out the form below. We will be in touch!

Compensation and Benefits are listed clearly at the bottom of each job description. Take the guess out of applying-- Our salaries, wages, and benefits are transparent and up front! Please share with you network.

★ Adult Victims Counselor ***NEW***

★ Bilingual Childrens Counselor ***UPDATED***

★ Bilingual Crisis Intervention Advocate

★ Childcare Provider ***NEW***

★ Children’s Advocate ***NEW***

★ Community Education Advocate

★ Court Advocate ***NEW***

★ Family Counselor

★ PAIP Case Manager

★ PAIP Co-Facilitator

All positions have been newly updated, so if you checked them before, make sure to check them again!

Anew offers full time benefits including 14 paid holidays; 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; short-term and long-term disability; and the ability to contribute to our 403(b) plan with 3% company matching. This position is also eligible for Aflac benefits.

If you are interested in applying for any of these positions, please email your cover letter and resume to careers@anewdv.org.