|
Happy Ending
By Merari Henao
"Once upon a time"
Is the story of this "best friend of mine"
Who met a boy from the hood, that went to church and looked good
With her heart in her hand
She searched for love
Determined to conquer this man
On she went with the "love of her life"
Not knowing she'd never be treated as a true wife
They had met at age seventeen
He promised she would always be his "Queen"
And she walked towards death willfully blindfolded
Her instincts told her, "He is not for you."
And she convinced herself that it was the right thing to do
There were beautiful stages: Sweet like honey
And bright like the moon
But then came the baby
And he was now singing a new tune
Jealousy appeared, not to mention the alcohol and drugs
"Who is this man?" she thought. "I did not sign up to love a thug"
Lies, betrayals and pure manipulation
Was the constant pull of death at her every inhalation
Her family was tired, torn, and broken
Watching their sister or daughter die a little each day with words unspoken
Her eyes were lowered and painted with pain
She thought, "If I just ask the Lord to change him maybe my suffering won't be in vain."
He became violent and she decided to leave
She was confused and he was determined to impede
Her triumph, success with all her motivation
Every time she left him she reflected a positive presentation
Seven times they say it takes for a battered woman to leave a man
Seven times, the perfect number, "if I don't leave now, Lord PLEASE take me in your hands."
A second baby did not make it into this world
And she will always wonder if that could've been her next little boy or girl
"The one who said would be there for me,
When almost dying in a hospital, he hid. Where is that MAN? Where is he?"
Police, detectives, and all sorts of investigations
Broke out to save this woman
Out of this relationship of infestation
The next thing she knew she was in a SAFE HOUSE
With her child and nothing of her own
Not even her own blouse
Timed seemed endless, where no one could know
"What happened to her and her baby?
Where did they go?"
An Order of Protection was now in place
So they could never again see face to face
See, I know this story and I know it well
Because I was this "best friend"
Who because of God's love...was raised from hell.
Written by,
Merari Henao
With all of my heart to all of the victims of abuse...I share my story to let you know there is hope on the other side.
|
|
Board of Directors:
Susan Ring, President
Lynn S. Martin, 1st Vice President
Carol A. Glick, Esq., 2nd Vice President
George L. Medlin, Treasurer
Barbara M. Kessler, Esq., Secretary
Ilene H. Barshay, Esq.
Karen G. Brand, Esq.
Marcia K. Field, Esq.
Esther Fortunoff-Greene
Denise Gang
Marilyn K. Genoa, Esq.
Andrew A. Jacono, MD, F.A.C.S.
Deseriee Kennedy, Esq.
Jacqueline Morgan, CSW
Stacey Novick
Rubin Pikus
Jane Donnelly Schmitt
Alison Berns Simon, LCSW, BCD
Louise Skolnik, DSW
Linda M. Taub, Esq.
Toni Wiener
Staff Directors:
Sandy Oliva, Executive Director
Susan Hirschstein, Client Services
Sharon E. Hoahing, Operations
Louanne Marchand, Fiscal and Personnel
Mindy Perlmutter, Education
Alberta Rubin, Client Services
Janine Sadowski, Rape & Sexual Assault Services
Lois Schwaeber, Legal Services
|
|
|
|
Dear Friend,
We hope you are enjoying a safe and fun summer. Since the last edition of Safe & Sound online, the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence has hosted some spectacular events, and had some heartwarming success stories as we continue to fight to end domestic violence and sexual assault and help the survivors. We welcome your feedback and suggestions, and ask that you join us on facebook to keep up with all the latest events and news. |
|
|
Stepping Stones to a Safe Place
On June 2nd, one year after the ribbon cutting at The Safe Place, the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect hosted a joint community art project, entitled "Stepping Stones."
We invited families receiving services at either agency to participate, and over 70 clients attended!
 After enjoying a meal together, participants created gorgeous, 3-dimensional stepping stones symbolizing the "steps" on their journey toward safety and healing. Later, the families engaged in a facilitated group discussion to help process the thoughts, feelings, and memories that had emerged during the project.
Both the clients and staff were moved by the experience, and many parents expressed thanks for the opportunity to share the experience with their children. One mother said that the Stepping Stones allowed her to learn new things about her daughter. An adolescent spoke candidly about how the art experience allowed her to release feelings of anger stemming from the abuse she had survived. Many others noted that the process itself was relaxing.
Common messages and themes emerged from the stones, with many of the stones highlighting the important role of family, faith, and hope.
We have planted these stones in our "Safe Place Garden" for all to see. They are a testament to the strength of the survivors who created them, and will also serve as an inspiration to other survivors as they too brave the journey ahead.
|
|
A Success Story
Tiffany was referred to the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence's housing program in April of 2009. At the time, she lived in a homeless shelter with her eight year old daughter, and had to travel a great distance to keep her appointments.
With the help of the Coalition's transitional housing program, Tiffany soon found a safe apartment for herself and her child in an excellent school district.
Tiffany used her time in the transitional housing program to attend school and earned her Phlebotomy and EKG certificates, while helping her daughter maintain her position on her school's honor role.
In August 2011, Tiffany will graduate from Hunter College's Licensed Practical Nursing Program and will be independently maintaining her apartment.
|
|
Honorees
 Coalition Board member, Dr. Louise Skolnik, was honored by the National Association of Social Workers - New York State Chapter and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding professional qualities.
Director of Legal Services, Lois Schwaeber, was honored by the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York and received the Joan L. Ellenbogen Founders Award for exceptional work at this agency.
Director of Education, Mindy Perlmutter, was honored by Soroptimist International of Nassau County and received the Making A Difference For Women Award for her commitment in the field of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Coalition staff member, Maurice K. Williams, was appointed the 2nd Circuit Governor of the American Bar Association Law Student Division (ABA-LSD), making him the top student executive in a division covering all 15 law schools in NY State. |
|
Save the Date! Annual Gala 2011 is September 21st!
This year's Gala is Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the Garden City Hotel. We are honoring Frank and Rita Castagna for their dedication to supporting the Coalition's efforts to help victims.
The Castagnas are well known for their philanthropic work in the community. They are recipients of many honors, including the Hartman Philanthropic Leadership Award, the Sid Jacobson Spirit Award, and Philanthropy Day 2000 Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Rita Castagna serves on the Coalition's President's Advisory Council. Additionally, Castagna Realty owns and manages the internationally acclaimed Americana Manhasset, and each year, the retail operation uses its annual Champions for Charities program to donate to the Coalition and other not-for-profit organizations.
We are thrilled to be able to pay tribute to these two generous and dedicated supporters of so many important causes in our community.
We hope you join us in supporting our 2011 Annual Gala with a journal ad or by attending this very special event!
For more information on purchasing tickets or journal advertisements, please contact Barbara Klein at (516) 465-4700.
|
|
Attorney Recognition Lunch
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy gave an impassioned keynote address during the "Pro Bono Attorney Recognition Luncheon" hosted by the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence on June 10, 2011.
 The event celebrated the dedication and commitment of the 57 volunteer lawyers and five law firms that have joined the Coalition's pro bono project, the Legal Resource Network, to provide pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence.
The Legal Resource Network is funded by a federal grant secured through the work of Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy with the support of the entire Long Island Congressional delegation including: Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressmen Gary Ackerman, Peter T. King, and Steve Israel.
The luncheon took place at Hofstra's University Club. The event was attended by the honored pro bono attorneys and members of the Coalition's Board of Directors, as well as a distinguished guest list of Nassau County judges, court personnel, elected and appointed government officials, representatives from Hofstra University, and esteemed members of the community. Susan Ring, President of the Coalition's Board of Directors, read a personal letter of recognition from Vice President Joseph Biden.
|
|
Coalition Participates in Press Conference Protesting Late County Contracts and Payments
About 200 demonstrators, including staff and Board members of the Coalition, joined together in Mineola on July 19 to protest Nassau County's failure to provide timely contracts and payments to human services agencies. The Coalition was among many agencies serving Nassau County's residents who had been providing services without contracts and payments since January.
|
|
Thank you so much for your continuing support of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. |
|
|
