They are also addressing how Sheri can stay safe and independent in her own apartment and exploring avenues for healthy socialization. In addition to this one-on-one work, when she was called to testify against Joe in court, both Sheri’s SafeHouse Denver Advocate and her case worker at Adult Protective Services helped her prepare to testify and accompanied to her to court. Without close friends or family members, simply

was a tremendous support.

Though Sheri has decided that she’s ready to end her relationship with Joe, he continues to harass and stalk her where she lives. In the midst of the continued abuse, Sheri’s attempting to set boundaries with Joe and is utilizing her advocate to access other safety planning measures,

While it may be a long and arduous process, Sheri is committed to safely maintaining her independence with support from organizations such as Adult Protective Services, Seniors’ Resource Center and SafeHouse Denver.

FALL 2012

For more information, to contact us, or to contribute, visit: safehouse-denver.org

Domestic Violence and Older AdultsCollaboration Efforts Enhance Resources for Victims

heri and Joe have a long history. The two met when they were just teenagers and became a couple at that very

young age. Their relationship lasted for decades, well into their mid-sixties.

emotionally abused Sheri. He also

allow Sheri access to the money she earned, despite her long work history.

Throughout their relationship, Joe was arrested multiple times for domestic violence-related offenses and went through the court system, at times serving time in jail or time on probation. The abuse, however, continued. After particularly violent incidents, Sheri would leave Joe but ultimately, the couple would reunite, especially after Joe would promise to change his behaviors.

All victims of domestic violence face barriers when they consider leaving an

these barriers are often compounded by

general vulnerability and dependence on

support network can dwindle in later life

and affordable housing and transportation can be limited or challenging to locate if you don’t know where to look. In addition, a victim in a long-term relationship may not have had access to their own money for decades because of the abuse. Perpetrators of older adults often threaten that if a victim leaves, they won’t be able to make it on their own or they’ll end up in a nursing home.

In 2010, SafeHouse Denver joined the Justice Program for Older Adultscollaboration through the Denver City

Women, exists to close service gaps to older victims. Through the program, representatives from SafeHouse Denver, Adult Protective Services, Seniors’ Resource Center, Denver Police

gather on a monthly basis for a Coordinated Community Response meeting. Together, they share about their work with older adults and continuously identify needs and build formal and informal support networks.

While SafeHouse Denver has always worked with seniors experiencing

Adults has helped increase the agency’s

working with older populations and local government entities. Through this unique collaboration, Sheri connected with SafeHouse Denver through Adult Protective Services (APS). She was also able to connect with Seniors’ Resource Center for free transportation to medical and legal appointments and her counseling sessions at SafeHouse.

Sheri and her advocate at SafeHouse Denver’s nonresidential Counseling and Advocacy Center meet regularly to work on building self-esteem and empowerment.

Dear Friends,

Greetings from all of us at SafeHouse Denver! We hope that you and your family have had a healthy, happy summer.

As you may remember from previous communications, 2012 marks the 35th Anniversary of SafeHouse Denver. As we recognize this milestone, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the board members, staff, volunteers, donors, funders, and partner agencies who have been involved with SafeHouse Denver over the years. Your collective offerings of resources, time and expertise have made a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of adult, child and youth survivors of domestic violence in our community. We’re proud to partner with you as we continue to provide high-quality counseling services, educational presentations, safe shelter and crisis line

offering our existing services to the best of our ability, while continually evaluating how we can better meet the needs of victims and survivors of domestic violence in our community.

expand services for survivors of domestic violence. We set a goal to raise a minimum of $35,000 to support long-term residents at our emergency shelter and to set aside seed funding for a new Extended Stay Program. Extended Stay would provide a separate housing facility for emergency shelter residents who are out of immediate crisis but require additional time to secure affordable

residents to Extended Stay would allow us to open up additional beds in our emergency shelter for women and children in immediate need of a safe place to stay.

I’m pleased to share that, to date, 62 donors have contributed close

As you can see, this is an exciting time to be involved with SafeHouse Denver. We promise to keep you informed on our progress with Extended

meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy the cover story and updates included in this edition of the SafeHouse Denver Journal. You can also access our 2011 Annual Report on our website and read about how you’ve helped us increase safety for over 1,100 individuals impacted by domestic violence, last year alone.

thank you for standing alongside survivors of domestic violence on their journey toward

With sincere gratitude,

Victoria A. McVicker

Investing in the Future

ast summer, we introduced Sustainers of Hope, SafeHouse Denver’s monthly giving program. Monthly giving provides us with a reliable

source of income and is a convenient and

your giving over the course of 12 months.

We would like to recognize and thank our current Sustainers of Hope:

AnonymousAnonymousAnonymousSharla J. CarlsonJohn W. Carnal & Sheila Ellen KaneRemeshian CoxJamie EmmonsDonna and Earl EvansFocusXpSalvador & Claudia GonzalesPatrice GrouxCarol E. LazellMargie & Michael McKnight

Bruce PetersonMary M. PhillipsLaura L. RogersJim & Joy Woller

To learn more about monthly giving and to enroll today, please visit

monthly-giving.

WelcomeNew Board MembersSafeHouse Denver welcomes John Dillieand Jennifer Hallam to the Board of

Income Trading at Janus Capital Group

at BKD, LLP.

News NotesWorkplace Giving

If your place of employment participates in a workplace giving campaign, please consider designating your payroll deductions to SafeHouse Denver using the following campaign numbers and instructions: Caring Connection: 1099; Combined

Denver Employees Combined Campaign: write in ‘SafeHouse Denver, Inc. Denver, Colorado’; Colorado Combined

designate SafeHouse Denver by writing in our name on your pledge form.

Third Party InitiativesThere are a number of new Third Party Initiatives on our website including promotions through nix&stones,BC Realty, LLC, and Beauty Brands

website for details.

Thank YouWe’d like to recognize the following organizations and businesses for supporting SafeHouse Denver through a Third Party Event or Initiative through mid-August 2012: CU Pharmacy School;Denver County Fair; DJ Bedz; Heinz Compagnie;Pasquini’s; Pioneer Leadership Program – DU;Regis Student Nurses Association; Soignee Elegant Attire; Yoga Rocks the Park.

Coldwell Banker

‘Ride the Range’Congratulations and thank you to Carrie Wernecke, SafeHouse Denver Board Member and 2012 Gala Chair, for completing her 5th Coldwell Banker ‘Ride the Range’ bike ride. This annual three-day 235-mile bike ride is designed to help raise money and awareness for those most in need. Carrie raised over $2,500 (and counting!) for SafeHouse through the ride.

Colorado Gives Day

Mark your calendar and support SafeHouse Denver on Colorado Gives Day

Coloradans will come together again to raise millions of dollars

Last year, a remarkable $12.8 million was distributed

We hope you’ll join in on the fun this year!

7th Annual Cornhole TournamentThe 2012 Cornhole Tournament at City Park was a great success. Special thanks to the Cornhole Committee for their tireless efforts to plan and execute this event year after year: Katherine and Andrew Arthurs, John McGaughy,Jeff Piquette and SafeHouse Denver Board Chair, Brad Smith. We’d also like to thank everyone in attendance and our incredible day-of volunteers!

Ten Thousand VillagesMark your calendar for Thursday, November 29th and enjoy holiday shopping in support of SafeHouse Denver! Ten Thousand Villages in Cherry Creek North will donate a percentage of net sales back to SafeHouse Denver from 5:00–8:00 pm that evening.

GO Automotive GroupWe’d like to recognize Go Automotive Group for their very generous, ongoing support of SafeHouse Denver throughout 2012. In recognition of their 15th

Group has set a goal to raise $100,000 in cash and in-kind donations for SafeHouse through a variety of initiatives.

and raised over $21,000 in support of SafeHouse. Stay tuned for a full report of their generous support in the next Journal.

Children’s Room MakeoverThis spring, the Children’s Rooms at both our Emergency Shelter facility and the non-residential Counseling and Advocacy Center were renovated by Bright Spacesand Concerts for Kidsrespectively. Both groups did a phenomenal job creating a comfortable, safe and fun environment for the child and youth clients at SafeHouse Denver.

A section of our new Children’s Room at the Emergency Shelter

Board of DirectorsBrad Smith, Chair

Karsh Consulting P.C.Carrie Wernecke, Chair-Elect,

Coldwell Banker DevonshireLaura Rogers, Treasurer,

FirstBank Data CorpJoy Woller, Secretary,

Rothgerber Johnson and Lyons LLPMonica Denler, Past Chair,

InTANDEM Human Resources, LLCJohn Dillie, Janus Capital GroupJennifer Hallam, BKD, LLP

Strategic Programs, Inc.Kristi Palmer, Wells Fargo BanksRamonna Robinson,

GroundFloor MediaRolando Salinas, Aligned Solutions

Mitch-Stuart, Inc.

CEO, SafeHouse Denver

SafeHouse Denver StaffShely Basnet, Domestic Violence

Lauren Bronzo, BilingualDomestic Violence Advocate

Judy Carrier, Director of Counseling and Advocacy Services

Grants ManagerBarbara Galicia,

Bilingual Women’s AdvocateBertha Garza, Bilingual

Domestic Violence AdvocateAshley Golder,

Director of Communications and Annual Giving

Cassi Haberler, Director of Shelter Services

Natalie Hicks, Women’s AdvocateKelly Holland, Volunteer and

Project ManagerJennifer Jacks, Women’s AdvocateSan Castillo Jones,

Bilingual Women’s AdvocateDora-Lee Larson,

Contractor, Community EducationNicole Maier,

Bilingual Children’s Advocate

Tamika Perry, Domestic Violence Advocate

Sue Pilcher, Brandy Walega,

Domestic Violence AdvocateLydia Waligorski, Women’s AdvocateSabrina Wright-Hobart, Development

and Administrative Assistant

Shelter Relief StaffKat BarthelJamie BurkeElaine ChoKelsey HartAmanda MatthrewsMelanie McClanahanKim RoeschLynn Williams

Newsletter

EditorsSteve Cruz, Graphic DesignCottrell Printing, Production

SafeHouse Denver Programs & Services

SafeHouse Denver offers comprehensive services, in both English

and Spanish, at both our emergency shelter and our nonresidential

counseling and advocacy center.

Services include:

Community Education Program

SafeHouse Denver staff provides educational presentations and

Helping women and children overcome domestic violence since 1977

safehouse-denver.org

he 2012 Hope Gala: Celebrating the Women, Children and Youth of SafeHouse Denver, takes

more information and to purchase seats or a table for this festive event today!

Thank you to our highest-level Hope Gala Sponsors:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

GOLD SPONSOR:Carol and Paul Rose

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR:Rothgerber Johnson and Lyons LLP

T