ACTS Newsletter

ACTS Facts Fund Raising Volunteer Services Programs
 

United Way Member Agency    United Way/ CFC #8001


 

 

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JULY, 2001 NEWSLETTER

Next edition due Middle of August


Contract Signed for Western Domestic Violence Shelter County, Cities and United Way Provide Support

On April 4 ACTS signed a contract to purchase a site for a western domestic violence shelter, contingent on obtaining a state grant for purchase money and a county special use permit. Located in Prince William County very close to Manassas and Manassas Park, the new facility will shelter up to twelve women and children when it opens next spring. Soon after that we hope to increase the capacity to twenty people.

Our community desperately needs another domestic violence shelter. Our current Safe House is nearly always full, and a United Way grant for temporary hotel stays was expended in less than six months. In 2000, all seven homicides in Prince William County were domestic violence related, and the tragic loss of life has continued unabated in 2001.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is expected to fund the purchase of the building. Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park have provided development funding and operational support. Prince William United Way has awarded Community Services Fund grants for operating support, and for hotel stays until the shelter is open. Prince William County Employees Advisory Committee contributed $5,000 for shelter construction. Many thanks to our partners for helping make the dream of a new shelter a reality!

Jim Gillespie, Executive Director


In Memory of Mary Moyers

On March 29th , ACTS employee Mary Moyers passed away after a brief illness. In her eleven years with ACTS Emergency Assistance and eight years with Holy Family Catholic Church, Mary helped thousands of families in crisis. She provided emergency food, heating assistance, help with rent and utilities, and referrals to community resources. Beyond that, Mary’s warm smile and listening ear helped nurture hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations. Mary will be very much missed by those whom she served, as well as by all of us who are associated with ACTS. We extend our condolences to her family. In memory of Mary’s inspirational service, we will be dedicating the ACTS Emergency Food Pantry in her honor.

Jim Gillespie, Executive Director
Ervina Miller, President of the ACTS Board


TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Each $10 Registration of a youth walker (age 5-25)

will bring a gift of $50 to the service programs of ACTS!

HELP THE HOMELESS

Fannie Mae WALKATHON

PLEASE JOIN!

Local ACTS Walk 11/4/01

1:00 p.m. Walk Start Time

At the P.W.C. Sport Arena

(Behind McCoart Complex

@ Cannons Baseball Field)

A 5K Walk around the

National Mall

November 18, 2001

Call JOANN BARRON @ (703) 441 - 8606 for information
Acts_Development@comcast.net


ACTS Benefits from United Way/CFC 2000 Campaign!

ACTS has been awarded five Community Services Fund grants totaling $138,500 to help support Day Care, Emergency Assistance, Helpline and Turning Points in the coming fiscal year. In addition hundreds of donors pledged nearly $180,000 to ACTS in the 2000 United Way/CFC campaign. Many thanks to Lee Stoffregen and the Campaign Committee, Lucy Beauchamp and the United Way staff, and Bob Boardman and the CSF Committee for their Herculean efforts these past few months. Look for more information on how United Way funds contribute to meeting the ACTS mission in our fall “United Way” newsletter edition.

The United Way is Working Here!

To all United Way/CFC contributors, from the ACTS staff, Board of Directors, and those we serve, Thank you very much!

UW/CFC #8001


Working Wheels

Cars Are Needed!!!

ACTS accepts vehicle donations of all kinds, provided that they are in safe running condition with current state inspection stickers.

Please consider donating your good, used vehicle so that those in need can get to work, daycare and doctor appointments. Your donation is Tax-Deductible. Please contact Joann Barron at (703) 441-8606 or Acts_development@comcast.com.


Suicide Is A Cry For Help. ARE We Listening?

Suicide takes the lives of more than 30,000 Americans each year - or one person every 17 minutes. Additionally, more than 500,000 Americans attempt suicide annually. How many of us are able and/or willing to intervene? Not every person who is contemplating suicide has a therapist, will call a hotline, or tell a family member. That person may just come to you.

Helpline, in collaboration with PWC Community Services Board, conducted a suicide intervention training for the community. The free training was geared for those persons in the general public; clergy, church secretaries, nurses, teachers, law enforcement, homemakers, etc. If you are interested in participating in future training's please call ACTS/HELPLINE at (703) 368-4141. Vicki Graham, Helpline Director


TRANSITIONAL LIVING

In conjunction with volunteer month, the ACTS Nurturing Parenting Program honored three volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making the program a success. They are: Nancy Caseman and Carol Shingler; Child Care Facilitators, and Laura Hiatt, Kitchen manager. Both Nancy and Carol have demonstrated the patience and skills it takes to assist the children in learning new ways to communicate with their family members. Because of their dedication, the children in this program have benefited by the positive role models they represent. Laura has been an asset in providing a family meal twice per week to all the families. She is a great bargain hunter, creative in searching for new recipes and in cooking delicious as well as nutritional meals. For all the volunteers, we commend them for their commitment to ACTS and in the caring manner in which they accomplish their tasks. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

The Nurturing Program has started its new class for the spring session, serving six new families. We would like to extend our thanks to all the volunteers that continue to make these groups possible.

Our parenting program is still in need of crayons, glue sticks, scissors, big/small paper bags, fruits and vegetables, fruit juices and toddler educational toys. If your can help us or would like to volunteer to work with our children and families, please call Caroline Smith for more information or see our Wish List.

The Transitional Living Program wishes to express our appreciation to Mary Piazzi and the employees of RSIS Corporation for their generous donation of clothing to our families. Thanks so much!!!

Marjorie Kennedy-Pantaleo, Transitional Living Director


Special Thanks to Everyone That Attended or

Participated in the Spring Fundraisers and Special Events.

Jarads Walk/Bike-A-Thon

Lutheran Brotherhood

Benefit Concert

New Dominion Choraliers Serenade 2001

Celebrate Children

Letter Carriers’ Food Drive

Alley Action Bowl-A-Thon


The Annual ACTS Membership Meeting

was as held on April 17 , 2001 at Lake Ridge Baptist Church. Volunteer service awards were presented to: Thelma Clatterbuck for Development, Jane Mestrovich for Family Assistance, Joe Kasales for the Food Program, Nancy Delzingaro for the Thrift Store, Al Knehans for Transitional Living, Laura Hiatt for the Nurturing Parenting Program. Clark Cheney for Turning Points, and Greg Brady for Helpline. The Howard Horner Award - ACTS Volunteer of the Year was presented to Anton Stecher from the Dumfries Thrift Store.

Congratulations and thank you for your wonderful, selfless acts of kindness. Each one of our volunteers are very special people to the family of ACTS.


What about the batterer’s who abuse

their significant others?

A casual observer of the Turning Points Program rarely considers the important work we do with these offenders. It can be difficult to understand how a program dedicated to serving victims of domestic violence can also be dedicated to serving their abusive partners. Batterer Intervention Programs (BIPs) are imperative to victim safety and abuser accountability. It isn’t unusual now for a domestic violence program to integrate this service into their program, but it was 25 years ago when Turning Points began theirs. Our founding mothers recognized that many women didn’t want their relationships to end; they simply wanted the abusive behaviors to end. The criminal justice system began arresting batterers when there was probable cause but too often batterers were fined or released with little or no consequence for their threatening and violent behaviors. Time, experience, and research confirm that families are safer when court-ordered abusers are attending a Batterer’s Intervention Program and it sends a powerful message that the community and the criminal justice system will hold them responsible for their acts of violence.

Kay Mathews, Turning Points Director


New Home Ownership for Shelter Family,

A Measure of Success and Hard Work . . .

Tom and Alice “Smith” and their 14 year old son, came to the ACTS Shelter after a short time in another shelter.

Alice worked part time and received money for a medical condition. Tom had medical issues and had a pending SSDI. During the families time at the shelter, Tom was and avid, cheerful volunteer. The family worked hard and saved as much of their small income as possible during their stay.

With the help of the Angels in heaven and the ACTS Shelter Staff, the Smith’s were able to qualify for a loan - and moved into their own three bedroom trailer.

We Want to congratulate the Smith’s on becoming new home owners and want to encourage those who may find themselves in a similar situation.

Aletha Martin, ACTS Shelter Director


Anton Stecher,

An ACTS Thrift Store Volunteer

Wins The Prestigious

Howard Horner

Volunteer Of The Year Award,

And The

United Way

Neighbor To Neighbor Award

Mr. Anton Stecher, a ninety-one year old volunteer for ACTS has won the Howard Horner Award for volunteer excellence at the ACTS Annual Meeting and the United Way “Neighbor to Neighbor Award.” Mr. Stecher has, for the past six years, contributed an average of 24 hours a week to all phases of the operation of the ACTS Thrift Store in Dumfries. Anton is one of the longest - continuous - service volunteer with ACTS and has amassed, by far, the largest number of volunteer hours, now in excess of 6,000.

The success of any Thrift Store that supports a non-profit agency is measured in two ways: (1) the number of dollars that it contributes to the client service program of the parent agency; and (2) the volume and quality of items that it provides directly to its client population at low or no cost. ACTS has consistently set the mark of excellence in this community by providing as much as $140,000 per year for client services, proving for-sale items to clients at values under ten cents on the dollar and annually providing inventory valued at well over $25,000 at no-cost to clients referred by the parent agency.

Mr. Stecher greets the public as members of the community bring in donations, provides them thanks and answers questions regarding tax-deductibility of contributions. He sorts donations as to serviceability, pricing items and moves them to the display floor. Three days a week, he is involved with opening the store, ensuring the proper display of items for sale and maintaining the stock of no-cost items. His work ethic matches the highest standards; he simply sets his sights on outperforming everyone and then goes to work! Thank you Anton.

              Joann Barron, ACTS Deputy Director


With the school year coming to an end, the centers are preparing for the summer Program . . .

 

Child Care has many field trips planned for the children this year summer. Many of the families we serve are not in a financial position to take their children on summer vacations. We try to make up for this by taking them to Waterworks Park for swimming and picnicking several times during the season. In addition many dates are set up for professional entertainers such as magicians, puppeteers and gymnastic instructors to come to the center. We hope to make the summer fun for these children.

Recently we hired three new employees. We’d like to welcome Jamie Tesher and Sheba Givens who are now working with the infants and toddlers, and Mary Oldham who is working with the four year olds.

Currently we have several openings for teachers assistants at both centers. You must be 18 years old and have at least 6 months of experience in a day care setting to be a teacher - no experience is necessary to be a teacher’s assistant but you must be 16 years old. Please call 703-670-8808 if you are interested.

We currently have preschool and school age openings. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families.

Michelle Farley, Child Care Director


 

 
Last modified: 08/27/03
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