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What started more than 20 years ago with the donation of two outdated appliances has blossomed into one Black and Veatch employee making a world of a difference for one local domestic violence shelter.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

Top 4 Reasons to Attend Hope House's Margarita Ball 2015

Friday, April 24 from 7pm to 11pm
At Club 1000 - 1000 Broadway, KCMO 64105

Hope House’s Margarita Ball is one of KC’s premier dance parties where you can do good while having fun!

Party-goers will enjoy unlimited margaritas, cocktails and tapas, a silent auction with high-valued items, three floors of entertainment (basement is VIP area only – check sponsorship opportunities for more information). And, back by popular demand, DJ Ashton Martin will be spinning tunes and Lost Wax will be playing live music through the night.

Find out more by visiting www.hopehouse.net/MB2015

Hope House survivors smile big for volunteer dentist during National Dentists Day

After working more than 33 years as a dentist in Russellville, Arkansas, Dr. Dan Ryder just couldn’t stay away from the practice.

Ryder has been donating time to the women in Hope House for the last four years. Utilizing his experience and time in retirement, he helps survivors with their most immediate dental needs.

“One of my favorite stories to tell about Dr. Ryder is when one of the women in shelter came in for an appointment,” said MaryAnne Metheny, CEO of Hope House. “She was in so much pain. When Dr. Ryder was finished with the surgery, a week later she kept saying ‘I never knew what normal was supposed to feel like.”

And, that is what Ryder gives the survivors at Hope House – normal.

“Knowing that I’m able to provide good dental services to those who may not have these services available to them is very rewarding,” said Ryder. “It’s rewarding because we are able to show the clients that people care unconditionally.”

Ryder, who retired from his practice in Arkansas, moved to Lee’s Summit to be closer to his two children and four grandkids who live in the Kansas City area. Now he’s able to spend more time with them, playing golf, camping and backpacking through California every year. But, there is one more thing Ryder enjoys, and that is helping charitable causes, he says.

Not only does Ryder volunteer at Hope House, but he has also opened a free clinic in Arkansas before he moved. And, he volunteers at the Medical Mission for Christ in Camdenton, Missouri.

What brought him to Hope House was a series of coincidences, he said.

“I was on a mission trip in Jamaica through my church,” said Ryder. “While there, the organizer brought in some pharmacy students. I asked how I could get involved.”

From there, Ryder was directed to speak with Dr. Bridget McCandless of Independence. About three months later, she connected Ryder to Metheny who had been working with another area dentist, Dr. Ross Morrison, to start a dental clinic in the Hope House’s Independence shelter. After receiving a grant to purchase dental equipment, Metheny was in need of a dentist.

“When Dr. Ryder contacted me, we were so thrilled to have his experience and enthusiasm,” said Metheny. “He has done some amazing things for the women here over the last four years.  It’s funny because after his visits, you can always hear stories around the halls of shelter about the relief the women have, thanks to his help. We’re truly grateful to have his help.”

Ryder appreciates the facilities and the opportunity to provide immediate relief to the clients at Hope House as he focuses on survivors’ most immediate needs (i.e. fillings, root canals, etc.). But, he has also has a desire to perform dental cleanings. He asked any dental hygienists interested in volunteering contact Brandi Bair, Hope House volunteer coordinator, at 816-257-9342.

3 Tips For Supporting Survivor-Employees in the Workplace

It can be a tough task to deal with domestic violence in the workplace. We’ll be the first to admit it is not an easy or fun topic to discuss. But, as statistics show, it is a necessity.

According to studies, domestic violence victims lose 8 million days of paid work annually. The cost of those days exceeds $8.3 billion a year, according to the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.

Further complicating matters for survivors, between 21 and 60 percent of them lose their jobs due to the violence they experience. And, even more disheartening is the fact that more than 140 women were murdered at work by their abuser in one five-year period.

So, what does this mean for employers? How can you safely manage the impact in your workplace?

First, and foremost, businesses can partner with domestic violence agencies to provide workplace seminars, trainings or health fairs. Training in the workplace can improve the understanding of domestic violence at work. While knowledge and education are good to have, multiple trainings or exposures to domestic violence information in the workplace will change behaviors.

Those behavioral changes are more aptly to happen if a domestic violence policy is also in place. Domestic violence policies can protect survivors if they include time-off for multiple court dates. Often, judges will extend court dates several times if the affected individuals do not show up in court. This requires the survivor-employee to take off work more days than permitted to move forward with potential restraining orders, divorce or custody cases.

These policies can be promoted in writing or poster form next to other required federal or state workplace posters.

But, taking the policy one-step further is when an employer knows of the employee’s abuse. Having a support network at the office can be an asset to any survivor. Other than encouraging help with proper resources, employers can also offer employee assistance programs, sometimes called EAPs.

If the survivor-employee has confided her abuse with another employee she is comfortable with, they may establish a code word to signal the abuse. If the employee calls-in sick and says, “My throat is tickling again,” or “Johnny has a teacher meeting today,” the responding employee can document the abuse signal.

Although such signals are used on occasion, employees can also have distress signals for immediate emergencies. If the survivor-employee is concerned for her immediate safety, she can call work and provide a distress signal established with a colleague, alerting the colleague to contact law enforcement.

These three tips can positively change the way survivor-employees work. Not only will the business experience greater productivity, but they will have a more loyal employee.

For other suggestions on domestic violence policies or hosting training sessions, employers are encouraged to contact Hope House at 816-461-4188 or visit our website hopehouse.net

New HHYP Board Member has a connection to Hope House mission

The Hope House Young Professionals Board is proud to welcome Carina Criger to the HHYP Board.

Carina is a card risk management officer at UMB Bank. As a board member of Hope House Young Professionals, she hopes to raise public awareness and give back to the community.

That drive comes from a personal experience dating back just a few years.

“My journey in learning about domestic violence is still rather new. I grew up in a small town where everyone knew everyone’s family,” said Carina. “In 2011, however, the world became a scarier place. Our friend, classmate, and valedictorian of our high school - the girl we had all grew up with since preschool - was killed by her boyfriend.”

Domestic violence was something that happened in the “big city,” Carina graduated with 40 fellow students. The town of less than-2,000 was rocked by the event.

“This event opened my eyes to the challenges and difficulties women face each and every day,” said Carina. “The reality that domestic violence can happen to all types of individuals from all different backgrounds became more than just apparent.”

After graduating, Carina attended Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas where she earned a B.A degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance. She joined the UMB team and enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, reading, attending sporting events, and playing recreational volleyball.

But, Carina says domestic violence is something she cares about greatly.

“Groups like the HHYP provide the support, resources, and refuge to assist these women in overcoming these obstacles,” Carina said. “Each little bit of assistance is going to someone who faces similar struggles that my friend Laura did. I look forward to doing what I can to assist the HHYP in their mission.” 

Read more of Hope House's latest news at www.hopehouse.net 

KC Rotarians put service before self by assisting Hope House

Independence Shelter Director Hannah Peterson is proud to
present the new milk cooler and  table (foreground) provided
by the KC Plaza Rotary.

This month, the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club awarded Hope House, Missouri’s largest domestic violence agency, $2,000 for the purposes of improving the Independence-based shelter’s outdated kitchen equipment.

The Plaza Rotary offered the $2,000 as a match after Rotary District 6040 – of which the KC Plaza Rotary is a member – provided a $1,900 donation to Hope House in December.

"Our Club is a dedicated and long-time supporter of Hope House,” said Bob Merrigan, president of the KC Plaza Rotary. “Their mission is in-line with that of the Plaza Rotary in terms of protecting and saving women and children around the world. We are very happy to be able to support them financially.”

Every year, Rotarians benefit projects around the globe that are focused in the areas of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies.

The Plaza Rotary will also help complete the project through volunteer labor. Rotarians will volunteer time cleaning the kitchen and dining area at the Independence shelter Saturday.

Hope House leadership discussed their thoughts on the donation.

“We are proud and honored to be able to partner with the Plaza Rotary through this endeavor,” said Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny. “We want to express our deepest gratitude for the opportunity to benefit from the Rotary putting service above self.”

Kitchen enhancements are expected to be completed by the end of this month, ensuring more than 50 women and children utilizing the services at the Independence location to eat in a safe and sanitary dining environment,” said Metheny.

In addition to Hope House’s emergency safe shelter program, the agency also operates a 24-hour hotline, a safe visitation program for court-ordered non-custodial parents, group and individual therapy for survivors of domestic violence, and an outreach program to educate hospital and law enforcement personnel in Kansas City.

For more information about KC Plaza Rotary Club please visit http://kcplazarotary.org/. For more information about Hope House, please call 816-257-4188 or visit www.hopehouse.net. For the 24-hour Hotline, please call 816-461-HOPE (4673).

Annual bra exchange increases customer support, awareness of DV

Ten years ago, Terry Levine opened clair de lune lingerie boutique in Overland Park. Shortly after opening, Levine saw an opportunity to give back to the community.

She investigated local charities in need and found Hope House, a domestic violence advocate agency who serves survivors in the Kansas City area.

“It seems that domestic violence awareness has elevated over the last several years,” said Levine. “I had a product I could put in someone’s hand that they could use, since - in most cases - women leave with just the clothes they have on. A bra is not something people think of donating or reselling. They are really an overlooked necessity.”  

Between January 8 and 25, Levine’s customers are able to bring in gently-used bras in exchange for a $15 credit on the purchase of a new bra. The exchange has gained support over the years from her customer base.

“Customers love the idea,” said Levine. “The exchange takes on a whole new meaning because it’s a community effort. Every year, we collect more and more.”

During the exchange, clair de lune experiences its busiest time of year, Levine said.

“Our customers have started looking for the event,” said Levine. “It’s become a time of year the women can focus on themselves again. The holidays are spent on time for others. So this time of year allows our customers to help themselves and a great cause.”

Once the bras are collected, Hope House staff  pick up the bras and sort them for distribution to clients in our shelter and outreach services, said Hope House CEO MaryAnne Metheny.

“This has been such a great collection drive over the years,” said Metheny. “We receive bras of all sizes, so it is so helpful to our clients to know they will be able to find something that fits their unique needs.”

Hope House has been operating for 32 years and has been successful in part due to local partnerships with businesses, faith-based groups and charitable organizations.

“Clair de lune began this drive 10 years ago and it has been wonderful to partner with them, we are grateful to them for selecting our agency as the recipients of their bra exchange” said Metheny. “They are a great example for any business who wants to drive customer engagement and raise awareness for domestic violence or any other local charity.”

For information on clair de lune, visit http://www.clairdelunekc.com. For information on Hope House, visit www.hopehouse.net. Or, for ways to get your business, employees or customers engaged with Hope House, contact Brandi Bair, Hope House volunteer coordinator at bbair@hopehouse.net.