Volunteer Dentists are Saving Smiles

Two years ago, we were starting a huge construction project at our campus in Independence. Part of the upgrade included a Medical/Dental room. We wanted our clients to have access to these basic services without having to leave the safety of our campus.

The dental portion of that room is now open, thanks to the assistance of Dr. Morrison and Dr. Ryder, our volunteer dentists.

What an educational process this has been! None of us on the Hope House side is a dentist, and that was evident as Dr. Morrison and Dr. Ryder discussed with us all of the needs of a dental room. I had no idea what was involved!

Dr. Ryder has been volunteering his services in the room and has seen 55 clients to date. It has been amazing the work that he has completed, and the transformations in client’s health that have taken place.

He’s performed cleanings, extractions, fillings, and taken x-rays. His services so far are valued at over $16,000; money our clients do not have. Without his volunteer efforts, they most likely would have continued to go without treatment.

In domestic violence situations, it’s very common for victims to push their own health needs to the back burner, and dental needs are even further behind. Untreated dental conditions can cause serious health concerns, so having this resource available to our clients has been invaluable.

Having the dental room on site allows the clients easier access to services and eliminates the need for childcare, which could be a real obstacle if clients had to access services off site. Unfortunately, there are times that going off site is necessary, due to emergency needs and the complexity of services.

We are grateful to Dr. Morrison who has been offering emergency dental services to our clients for over 20 years. He has opened his office doors to anyone in crisis with no other resources available to them. He has made a huge difference in so many lives.

If you are a dentist or hygienist and are interested in volunteering your time and talents to our clients, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Gretchen Schmitz, at gschmitz@hopehouse.net or 816-257-9342. 

National Advocacy Day

I had the privilege of traveling to Washington DC in June to attend National Advocacy Day, sponsored by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). Advocacy Day brings together domestic violence advocates from across the country to discuss the latest news, trends and legislation that impacts the services we provide.

Advocates from across the state of Missouri were there. We had a very productive day meeting with all of the Congressmen/women and Senators from Missouri. The topic of conversation throughout the day was the controversy that has arisen surrounding the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

This is the first time the reauthorization has become controversial. The House and Senate each passed very different versions of the bill. We spent the day discussing the “hot button” issues, and strategies for the two sides to come together. 

As always, the Missouri delegation welcomed us and listened to our concerns. Everyone continues to be supportive of VAWA overall, but no one was really sure how to bridge the differences. Discussion continues and everyone voiced hope that a resolution could be reached.

If you would like more information about the reauthorization of VAWA, the NNEDV website has accurate and up to date information regarding the process and the “hot button” issues. 

Celebrating Independence

Our country celebrated Independence Day yesterday. Normally when we think of Independence Day we think of fireworks, cook outs and celebrating our freedom and independence as a country.

But I also think about the thousands of people we work with who are creating new lives and celebrating their own newly found independence living a life free of violence.

I love thinking of those who have not only survived DV, but are now thriving and have reclaimed their freedom. They wake up every day knowing they are free to make their own decisions about their lives, and free to enjoy their children and their families without the fear of someone being harmed.

I am thankful for the freedoms we have in this country; thankful for those who continue to fight for our freedoms, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their life for their country.

I am also thankful for all who support Hope House and who assist us in helping those who don’t have their independence; those who are not yet free of the violence. For those people, we will continue to be here providing services and we will help how ever we are able.

We look forward to the day that everyone is celebrating their freedom from a life of violence. Until then, we will continue to work to break the cycle of violence once and for all.

Birdies Fore Hope Women's Golf Tournament

We are so excited for our upcoming Birdies for Hope golf tournament. This is the second annual all women’s golf tournament, and it was the brain child of one of our board members, Lisa Block. 

Lisa is an amazing person. Her compassion and passion for those who have been impacted by domestic violence is refreshing and heartwarming.

Lisa and her co-chairs, Lisa Hendricks, Chris Ferguson and Barb Bloch have worked tirelessly to put together a tournament that is fun and will bring in much needed dollars to support the operations of Hope House.

We know it will be a great day and are looking forward to seeing many golfers on Monday, July 2nd at the Oakwood Country Club located at 9800 Grandview Road in Kansas City, Missouri.

We are grateful for the amazing support we receive from the community. We would not be able to provide all of the services we provide if it were not for the community rallying around us and supporting us with their volunteer efforts and their wiliness to participate in events and other activities.

There is still time to join us on the 2nd if you are in the mood for golf or want to help out in some way. For more information, or to get entered, please visit our website.

Your Vote Makes All the Difference

Last month, I told you about the Cultivate Wines competition in which Hope House is competing to win $50,000.

Realistically, we're on the path to be a $10,000 winner (placing 2nd through 6th in the voting), which can still have an amazing impact on our operations! With $10,000 we could provide 333 safe nights of shelter, which will protect 4 families of three for 26 days, which is the average length of stay in our shelter.

We've moved up four places in the last week, so your vote makes all the difference.

You can vote every day through June 30 using your Facebook login.  Use this link  http://www.cultivatewines.com/cause/3981/ to get to the voting site.

Please spread the word by forwarding this post or posting to your Facebook page. We have one week left and we can make it, with your help. It takes just a moment a day to make a difference in someone's life! 

Must be 21 to vote in this competition.

Katie Piper Update

2008 and 2011 photos of Katie (from dailymail.co.uk)

One of my very early blogs was about Katie Piper, the young woman who in March 2008 was held captive for 8 hours, and suffered a brutal attack and rape by her boyfriend. As if that wasn’t enough, he then arranged for an accomplice to attack Katie by throwing acid on her face.

I wondered how this amazing woman was doing more than three years later. I wasn’t surprised to learn that she has done amazingly well. For someone who at one point begged her parents to kill her, she has come a long way.

She has been an inspiration to other burn survivors by setting up her own foundation, The Katie Piper Foundation: www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk  dedicated to helping and supporting other burn survivors. She has recently released an autobiography called Beautiful.

She has her own TV special called My Beautiful Friends where she interviews other burn survivors about their experiences. Katie has won several awards:

• She was named winner of the 'Courage Award' at the Pride of Andover Awards in October 2010; then, on October 6 she was announced as winner of the publicly voted 'Most Inspirational' prize at the Inspiration Awards for Women.
• Katie won the "Women to Watch: Inspiration" award at Red magazine's "Red's Hot Women Awards" in 2010.
• In February 2011, Katie: My Beautiful Face won the "Best Documentary Programme" award at the Broadcast Awards; Piper attended to collect the prize alongside the film-makers.
• Piper was awarded the Sainsbury's Women of the Year "You Can" Award at the Women of the Year Awards 2011, held in October 2011.

What an amazing woman, to have survived and triumphed. She is courageous and has turned her life into a crusade to help others, while still healing from the abuse she endured through the rape, beating, and the acid attack.

She is truly an inspiration to others and shows that you can move from victim to survivor. I wish her the absolute best and hope she continues to heal and thrive. 

Are Clients Abusing the System?

This week’s blog is about another common myth I hear when I talk to people about the services at Hope House.  I often get asked if the people in shelter are really in need, or are they taking advantage of the system? This conversation is often in reference to those who are receiving state assistance and food stamps.

I find myself taken aback when asked this, even though I’ve heard it many times. My first response is always to invite that person to shelter so they can see firsthand what we do, and to see that shelter life is not easy, glamorous, or desirable. The women who come to shelter have no other resources available to them.  They are truly at the end of their road, and not sure what the next day is going to bring.

I’m amazed at how resourceful and adaptable people can be when faced with dire circumstances. I often wonder how I would respond if I were in a similar situation.  I am not sure I would have the strength to survive the challenges these women do every day.

I’m so proud and honored to be able to work with survivors of domestic violence. I love witnessing the transformation that can take place when someone is given the opportunity to rest, and collect their thoughts.

I admire the resourcefulness and the ingenuity I have seen as clients work through their issues and solve their problems. With time, support, encouragement and a helping hand, it’s amazing what transformations can take place. Once on their feet again, they are able to thrive on their own.

I’m glad we’re here to help them through their darkest hours and their most vulnerable times. Then we have the opportunity to witness their growth and the beginning of their new life.