Black and Veatch engineer makes World of Difference for local domestic violence shelter

What started more than 20 years ago with the donation of two outdated appliances has blossomed into one Black and Veatch employee making a world of a difference for one local domestic violence shelter.

Brent Rupp, a project electrical engineer at Black and Veatch, has donated his time, goods and financially to Kansas City metro domestic violence shelter, Hope House.

Now, through Rupp’s dedication to helping the non-profit, Black and Veatch Building a World of Difference Foundation awarded Hope House a $5,000 grant to help alleviate the negative effects of domestic violence and inform the public about the issue.

“Hope House has always been appreciative of any help they receive,” said Rupp. “It makes it a real joy to help in anyway. So, I’m very happy to be able to present the donation to Hope House from Black and Veatch’s Building a World of Difference Foundation.”

Rupp stated that throughout his involvement with the non-profit, it is the positive attitudes of the staff and volunteers that keep him coming back to help and made him want to do more through the Black and Veatch Building a World of Difference Foundation.

“We are so grateful for supporters like Brent,” said MaryAnne Metheny, CEO of Hope House. “His volunteerism and dedication serves as encouragement for our team. The fact that he’s taken his efforts that extra mile and acquired this grant shows his commitment to the issue, and the survivors who need our services.”

Rupp has been a financial supporter of Hope House after donating the kitchen appliances. And, for the past several years, Rupp and his wife began volunteering. They have participated in Hope House’s Starlight and Chilifest fundraisers. And, his wife, Mary, volunteered her own time and encouraged their daughter’s Girl Scout Troop to donate time at the shelter as well, while Mary served as troop leader.

“When I was looking to donate the appliances, I didn’t know Hope House existed,” said Rupp. “But, my friend encouraged me to work with them, and since then, Hope House has always been a place we support. The relationship has really strengthened over the years.”

And, it strengthened despite a year on a different continent. Between 2011 and 2012, Rupp was in South Africa working on a Black and Veatch coal plant project. It did not take long for him to reach back out to Hope House upon his return. After making it back to the States, he began working with the Lee’s Summit Knights of Columbus and served as an acting spokesman for Hope House.

“It is my hope that, in addition to the help the donation will provide to Hope House and its mission, we may also raise domestic violence awareness and the role Hope House plays to combat the issue,” said Rupp. “I look forward to further involvement with Hope House and hope to build a relationship with Black & Veatch and the professionals who may not be aware of Hope House and the good they do.”

The Black and Veatch Building a World of Difference Foundation was established with the aim of providing a platform for the company and its professionals in supporting a variety of philanthropic organizations like Hope House and other programs worldwide.

“Last year, Hope House provided more than 41,000 safe nights in shelter, answered more than 5,400 domestic abuse hotline calls and provided therapy to more than 420 survivors,” Metheny said. “The foundation grant will go a long way to ensure we continue to help the survivors who have taken that courageous first step to leave an abusive relationship.”

It's No Laughing Matter: Part III

One of this year’s “funny” Halloween costumes was Ray and Janay Rice. Sadly, there are also images of children in Rice jerseys dragging toy dolls with painted black eyes. Janay Rice posted a response stating, “It’s sad that my suffering amuses others.”

Too often domestic violence becomes the butt of jokes to amuse others. Domestic violence happens every day. It happens here. And, it’s no laughing matter!

This month, Hope House is sharing advocate stories leading up to #GivingTuesday on December 2nd to show DV is real (click here to see Part I and Part II). This week’s story comes from Tanya:

"The client was upset that it had gotten to a point where her abuser physically hurt her. She had already taken so much verbal abuse and manipulation. But, one day, it escalated. She wanted to go out with some friends, but he wouldn’t have it. They got into an argument. He threw out the typical manipulative terms. This time, she stood up to him. But, then he shoved her. When she fell down, he proceeded to lean over her and threaten her even more, telling her she was lucky he didn’t hit her harder.”
Most domestic violence begins with verbal abuse and/or manipulation. Abuse is abuse. If it’s a verbal put-down, a shove, or smack - It’s abuse. Next week on #GivingTuesday, Hope House will spend $3,660 for 122 people to stay in our shelter. Please stand with Hope House on December 2 to show domestic violence is real and #ItsNoLaughingMatter. Donate and share this message with others.

#OperationGirl Charity Challenge by John Legend, Ryot & Burkle Global Impact Initiative

We're super excited to let you know that we're part of the #OperationGirl Charity Challenge, a fundraising campaign launched by John Legend, RYOT and the Burkle Global Impact Initiative.

To give back, they will be donating $100,000 to organizations like ours focused on women and girls. The charity that raises the most throughout the Challenge will get a $50,000 donation. Second place gets $20,000, third gets $10,000.

We're out to raise as much money as possible for our cause so we can win the $50,000 grand prize donation.

We think we can win and to do so, we definitely need your help. We'll be sending emails throughout the Challenge and we'll be asking for you to give. Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small. Every dollar counts.

To help now, please CLICK HERE and give whatever you can.

Or, if you want to go one step further, GO HERE and click 'Fundraise for This Campaign.' In seconds, you'll have your own fundraiser that you can share with all of your family and friends so that you can raise money for our cause too.

Please email CrowdRise at OperationGirl@CrowdRise.com if you have any questions at all and they'll help solve everything.

Thanks so much for your support!

Hope House

Fathers...

Father's Day is Sunday and it's important to note that Dads, all over the world, are uniquely positioned to instill character and values in our boys. They are often the ones our sons look to for guidance--the ones our boys look to as role models. But often in society we raise our boys with a set of values that don't serve them well and, consequently, don't serve any of us. 

They are often taught to:

• Be strong.
• Have all of the answers.
• Be aggressive.
• Control their emotions.
• Be in charge of their relationships.

This messaging can be the basis of behavior that sparks sexual and domestic violence. With one in four women experiencing domestic violence in their lifetime and one in five sexually assaulted at college, this messaging has to change. Instead, we need to teach our young men to:

• Express their emotions rather than hold them in.
• Be fair in their relationships.
• Be compassionate and understanding.
• Realize that equality benefits everyone.

So, for Father's Day, let's thank all of those amazing dads out there for being the positive force in their sons' lives and for teaching them to grow up to be good men of strong character rather than just strong men.

Happy Father's Day!

Send a Dad You Love a Hope House eCard!

Hope House Father's Day eCards

Mama Ray's Have A Heart Jazz & Blues Benefit

Each year, for the past 19 years, Diane “Mama” Ray has headed up the fundraiser “Have a Heart”, a jazz and blues benefit for Hope House. This dedication started back when she was an administrative assistant at Hope House and viewed, from the frontlines, the horrendous effect domestic violence had on so many women. She also saw, first hand, the hope that many gained by coming to Hope House and began to understand just what it takes to make that happen—financially and otherwise.

Mama Ray took it upon herself to do something to help and decided to champion us outside of work too. She decided to become our advocate in the way she knew best—through her considerable talent. And she didn’t stop there. She also got her friends involved—some of the best jazz and blues bands in the area—and Have a Heart was born. The annual benefit takes place at the venerable B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ, a Kansas City favorite since 1990 known for its great music and bar-b-que. 

JOIN US for the 19th ANNUAL JAZZ & BLUES BENEFIT hosted by MAMA RAY!

April 13^th from 1pm-9pm
BB's Lawnside Bar-B-Q
1205 E. 85th Street, Kansas City, MO

You can be sure you’ll eat and drink well, hear some AMAZING MUSIC, partake of live auctions between bands and generally have a good time all the while supporting a great cause…us!

This year features:
Mark Valentine & The Ticklers
Brian Ruskin & Friends—with Special Guest Julie Turner
Funk Syndicate
Kathleen Kunkler & The One Night Stand Band
Everette DeVan Quartet
Eboni Fondren
Sharon Thompson
The Old Crows
Levee Town
And Many More Special Guests!

Tickets are $8 in advance at https://9404.thankyou4caring.org/events/have-a-heart or $10 at the door.

We hope to see you there!

International Women’s Day - March 8th

This year, International Women’s Day is focused on inspiring change. The UN’s theme is Equality for Women is Progress for All. For us, the change or progress we advocate year round is to end domestic violence. And we're not alone...

Tomorrow there will be events worldwide, celebrating women and inspiring others to get involved. Some women-focused companies are leading the way when it comes to connecting International Women’s Day and the issue of domestic violence. When it comes to speaking out, both Avon and Mary Kay are leading the way.

Avon has celebrated the day by advancing the cause to end domestic violence through its Foundation for Women, celebrity promotional videos and ads, their annual Communication Awards which give accolades to those who speak out against domestic violence and by selling bracelets to raise funds for the cause.

Mary Kay is also committed to changing the lives of women and children by helping to end and prevent domestic violence through The Mary Kay Foundation, sponsoring groundbreaking documentaries on the subject, lobbying congress and sponsoring events like this year's Make Over Day—offering complimentary makeovers to women across the nation on March 8th, International Women's Day.

Locally, MK Studio is doing a Makeover Day Saturday, March 8th, to support Hope House. MK Studio has set a goal to give 100 Makeovers in one day -- Advanced Glamour Makeovers at 10am and Classic Glamour Makeovers at 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Guests are asked to bring any of the following items to donate to Hope House: Toilet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, adult and children’s Tylenol. MK Studio will also have specials during the day to benefit Hope House. MK Studio, 410 SE 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO.  For a free makeover call (816) 797.8013 to secure your spot.

For more information about International Women's Day go to internationalwomensday.com. 

Happy International Women’s Day! Go celebrate and make it count!

Winter Wonderland

We are having quite the winter this year! We seem to have it all, ice, snow, colder than normal temperatures. School has been cancelled; we closed Hope House offices due to the snow storm which dumped ten inches of snow across our area. This weather certainly challenges our patience, our resources for snow removal, street treatment, cancellations of events, business closings, flight cancellations etc.

It doesn’t look like we will be getting a break either with more snow predicted for this weekend and Monday. I wonder if school will be able to resume before spring! But even with all of the challenges and the patience and strength required to shovel our driveways, parking lots and sidewalks, dig people out of ditches the winter wonderland provides an opportunity for fun as well. 

We closed our office on Tuesday due to the weather but due to the nature of our work we must always have staff on hand. I am so grateful for the staff who worked during the storm. The shelter staff braved the streets and made it into work so that they could relieve the person who had come in earlier in the day. The Facilities staff worked tirelessly outside in the elements to make sure the sidewalks and the driveways were clear so staff and clients could get in and out without danger of getting stuck or falling. Their work continued into the next few days as they continued to clear parking lots and sidewalks. I am grateful to all of them for their work and dedication.

On Wednesday, I was working in my office and heard squealing and such amazing laughter that I had to turn around to see what was happening in the court yard. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched the kids throwing snow balls and running around in the snow as if it was the first time they had ever been in snow. It is sometimes hard for me as an adult to remember the fun that winter can bring. So as we all continue to work through the challenges brought out by the snow, I will continue to remember the children playing in the courtyard, having the time of their lives playing with the very same snow that has caused so many challenges. I forget sometimes to find the silver lining, those children helped me remember. I will also remember the dedication of the staff who put the needs of others before their own and will be grateful to work with such dedicated individuals.

Stay safe and warm and travel safely and remember the joy the children experienced in the snow. 

The holidays are here, with Thanksgiving being so late this year everything seems upon us sooner than we are ready. We are working hard to make sure that everyone who is with us has the best holiday and is able to celebrate in the way that they choose. Whether they celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or any other celebration, we want it to be special for them. Being in shelter during the holidays can be tough for families. There are traditions and expectations of being with family and when one is in shelter those traditions can be difficult to celebrate and to maintain.

We have had many groups volunteering for us. Some help out in the holiday store, some host toy and food drives, and other are hosting holiday parties for those in our services. One gentleman dropped by with seven Christmas trees - complete with lights - to donate to those in our outreach program or for those just leaving shelter and who may not have a tree. We’ve had groups do collection drives for us and when they've dropped the donations off they were just as excited to give the gifts as we were to receive them!

The holidays have a special magic to them and people in our community are so generous with their time and resources. We are grateful for the support that we receive. Thank you to this wonderful community for helping us to make sure no one goes without. Mothers do not have to worry about how they are going to provide a holiday meal for their family or how they’re going to make sure Santa comes to their house or to shelter. Somehow Santa finds them no matter where they are and, even if for just a short while, the adults can put their worries aside and enjoy the season.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year as we celebrate everyone’s uniqueness and share our good fortunes with those who are less fortunate. Thank you for sharing this season with us and making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Happy holidays!

Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving already. It's hard to believe that time has gone by so fast. I know as you get older it goes faster and for me this is so true. I've been making it a practice to acknowledge all of the blessings that I have in my life and to be more aware of all that I have to be thankful for, both big and small. I am truly blessed with family, friends, co-workers and supporters of Hope House. 

My good friend and colleague who runs another domestic violence program just lost her husband after a fierce battle with cancer. My heart hurts for her and her family as they struggle this Thanksgiving with their husband, father and grandfather not being with them. I know her and she will remain grateful for all of the support that she has and for the prayers she has coming her way. She will find a way to be positive and supportive of others even as she walks through her own path of grieving. She is an amazing woman—one I am so proud to know and call my friend. I am thankful for her friendship and the guidance she gave to me as I took on the role of CEO of Hope House. She understands and lives every day the true meaning of Thanksgiving and my prayers will be with her today and throughout this holiday season.

I know many supporters of Hope House are facing challenges this year. I am approaching this Thanksgiving with a heightened sense of gratitude for all that I and Hope House have been given. I will continue to hold those who are struggling in the light and pray for a sense of peace and comfort for them.

I am truly thankful to everyone who helps make Hope House a beacon of hope for thousands of people every year. I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.