Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ending Domestic Violence in Greater Plymouth County

The South Shore Women's Resource Center located in Plymouth, MA

One night, a woman with a baby arrived on Jim Hardeman’s doorstep. The woman had been a victim of domestic violence and she was seeking help. Jim sat and spoke with her, but he did not know of any services that he could refer her to. Unfortunately, the woman ended up returning to the domestic violence situation. Jim was distressed over this woman’s circumstances, so he gathered a group of volunteers and in 1978, The South Shore Women’s Resource Center was established.
 A few weeks ago, our United Way headed down to Plymouth, MA to visit The South Shore Women’s Resource Center and meet with Program Director, Kathy Spear. Kathy gave us a tour of the facility and described the many services available for both men and women in domestic violence situations.
The South Shore Women’s Resource Center offers an array of programs that provide support, advocacy and counseling to victims of domestic violence. Kathy noted that even though statistically, women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence, men can be victims as well and the center provides services for them too. The South Shore Women’s Resource Center works from an empowerment model, giving victims the power of decision making and developing their self-esteem.  Financial constraints, lack of child care and continued harassment from the batterer, however, can make it difficult for a victim to come in to the center, so support is also provided over the phone and through a 24-hour hotline.
The South Shore Women’s Resource Center has five advocates working in four different court systems. These advocates assist victims who are trying to obtain a restraining order by giving them emotional support and by helping them to complete paper work. Other services offered include a food pantry, outreach work in schools, and a counseling program for family members and friends who have lost someone to homicide.
Our United Way has been providing funding to the South Shore Women’s Resource Center for many years. The money is currently being used for domestic violence counseling, both within the agency and within the surrounding community. It is also used for outreach educational prevention services in schools. These outreach programs aim to educate students about teen dating violence, substance abuse and healthy relationships.
Kathy began working as the Program Director for the South Shore Women’s Resource Center in 2006 and has found it to be a very rewarding experience. “I am very impressed with the staff here” says Kathy, “I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a group of people that have worked so hard and who have volunteered so much of their own time.” Kathy also enjoys witnessing victims develop or reconnect with their own personal sense of empowerment.
The South Shore Women’s Resource Center has been aiding victims for over 35 years. They are extremely dedicated to providing safety and support, advocating for social change and ultimately bringing domestic abuse and violence to an end. Kathy feels it is very important for people to understand that domestic violence isn’t just a women’s issue or an individual issue. “Domestic violence impacts all of us,” she says “and we are all responsible for being part of the solution.”  

- Jess Zaniewski, Marketing Intern

Check out our Interview with Program Director, Kathy Spear!:

If you’d like to find out more about The South Shore Women’s Resource Center, please visit their website: http://www.thesswrc.org

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Internship Experience Reveals Passion for Service

Jess on site, visiting with our United Way’s partner agency,
Brockton Church and Community After School Program

          The word “work” often has a bit of a stigma attached to it. It is associated with responsibilities; not necessarily things we want to do, but rather things we must do out of obligation. As I draw closer and closer to my graduation from Stonehill College, I have been thinking a lot about how the word “work” will soon change its meaning in my life. I will be going from homework, class work, and group work…to REAL work. Seeking a full-time job and pursuing a career path. Things are going to be different for me from now on.

            My experience as a marketing intern at United Way of Greater Plymouth County has changed the way I view the word work. I discovered that it is possible to find a career path where your work will bring you enjoyment every day. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with everyone here in the Brockton office, surrounded people who love their job.

Since beginning my internship in January, my duties have included writing articles for the United Times newsletter, visiting and interviewing our partner agencies, creating video content for our YouTube channel and keeping our social media outlets up to date. I have most enjoyed being able to meet and form relationships with people in the surrounding communities through site visits with partner agencies and events such as the Credit for Life Fair. It has been fun to have such an interactive internship experience that has allowed me to meet so many different people.

Interning with our United Way has opened me up to a whole new world. I have really found my place in the non-profit sector. Working in the non-profit sector is something that I not only really enjoy, but it is something I now feel called to do. It is my hope that from this point on, any occupation I hold in the future will serve those in need and have meaning. As I move on from this internship, from college and into the real world, I am feeling extremely blessed. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful organization and for an experience that has opened up my eyes to a newly discovered passion for serving others.

- Jess Zaniewski, Marketing Intern