For those of you I haven’t had the chance to meet formally yet, I’m Kim Scott—the

new(ish) Executive Director here at River House, Inc. (RHI). I have been at River

House for 11 years and hope to continue the legacy of helping the community as my

predecessors have.

In the next pages, you’ll read about our financials, some information on new staff

and volunteers, and probably some new projects. Our major project undertaking is

the opening of our new thrift store—River House Resale. We hope to have it up and

running with a GRAND OPENING Memorial Day weekend and will be looking for

volunteers to help us out there. As always, if time is what you have, we are

accepting direct service volunteers.

Did you know that River House is more than just a shelter for women and their

children? We serve all victims (regardless of gender) of Intimate Partner Violence,

Sexual Assault, and Stalking. We have several groups in the Crawford, Ogemaw,

Oscoda, and Roscommon Counties. Some of our traditional groups are; Healthy

relationships: for individuals that are trying to move forward after their abuse or

anyone interested in developing positive, healthy relationships, CHOICES: for

women that have used force in an intimate partner relationship, Expressive Arts,

and a group specifically for survivors with PTSD, just to name a few. For school

aged children, we have GLUED with our new Youth Advocate. River House can also

assist victims with paperwork for Personal Protection Orders and Crime Victims

Compensation. We are also here for court accompaniment as support systems. Our

first priority is to ensure victim safety and we are experienced in safety planning with

individuals in residential (shelter) and non-residential situations.

P River House, Inc. Spring 2019 Newsletter

assages

Director’s Report

Meet the Youth Advocate

Facts From Finance

Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Prevention Month

Donor Shout-outs

With deepest gratitude, we honor those who support our Mission of providing safety and services to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse while promoting empowerment through education and advocacy. The following individuals, organizations and foundations helped

advance our efforts with generous gifts to River House, Inc. during FY 2017-2018.

Janet Allen B. Paige Allyn Charles Amman Guy & Emmajean Baker James & Sue Balger Martha Bamfield, DDS Inez Brooks Barbara Goodnow Tim & Carolyn Bartholomew Anita Bartman Jann Beach Richard & Rosemary Beachnau Mary Becker Deborah Bjorkly Ethalinda Blackman Ondreia Blackmore Daniel & Ann Blamer Joan Bohlinger Ellen & Ethan Brand Joseph & Theresa Bresette Kelly Briggs Quick Sharon & Daniel Brown Karen Buhlman Donald Burkley Monte Burmeister William & Martha Burns Tim & Sheryl Buron Cat Burtis Skip Butler Alfred & Patricia Cambridge Annette Carey Robin & Dale Carey Vincent & Nancy Caruso Brian & Elizabeth Chace David Chace Rosalie & Philip Challiss Joan Charlebois Danae Cline John & Michele Cochrane Stephanie Colie Mickie Dana Norman & Emily Daniel Connie Davis Jean Davis Lawrence & Cynthia Davis Evelyn Delaney Charley Delorey James & Jeanne Denise Shawn Denstedt Elizabeth DeWitt Burtis Judy & Gerald Dill Jo Dixon Kevin & Jacqueline Drummond Deborah Drys Jackie Dundar Scott Eathorne George Ebling III J. Edelmann Matt & Earlene Eichorn Dan Ellis Jeffrey & Nadine Emmons Roger & Mary Fechner Pat Finkbeiner Susan Forbes Kate Freel Gerayln Gaborie Christina Ganzales Larry & Starr Garter Stacey Gedeon James Gendernalik D.C. Gentry Dave & Deb Glicker Mary Ellen S Good William Gosling Katherine Gregg Dianne & Jon Gregorich Rick Grisham William & Ursulina Gulledge

Rhoda Hacker Michael & Linda Haggitt Lynn Hagon Eleanore Haight William Hamlin Sherry & David Hanson Douglas & Valerie Harding Sandra & Samuel Harrison Thomas & Kathleen Heidger Debra Heisler LeRoy Helgeson Annette Helms Darlene Higgins James & Catherine Hilbrecht Drew & Sara Hinderer Loren Hintz Daron Hopkins Mary Hopkins James & Florence Hough Jessup Hudson Loran Hudson Barbara Hunter D.L. & D.A. Ingram Jennifer Izworski Lisa Jaenicke David & Elaiine Jansen Myra Johnson Cris Jones Sister Nancy Jones Eugene Kaiser Timothy Keenan Marie & Abraham Keisoglou Keith Kenney Sara Kenney Cathy & Dennis Kent Ron Kirkpatrick Sister Maria Klosowski Janet Knepp Darlene Knight Catherine Koehn Kirk & Amy Koupal Loretta Kozlowski Thomas & Jane Kozlowski Jack Krupa Thomas & Kathleen Kuch Terrence & Ann Kureth Bobbie Kutkuhn Joseph & Marie Lamothe William Lane Christine & John Lantz Cynthia Laur James & Sarah Lawless Sharon & Dana LeBlanc Robert & Gail Lee James & Rebekah Leedy Nancy Lemmen Kirsten Lietz Lawrence & Mary Lockhart Randall & Terri Long Sandra Maisch Judy & Carl Marchlewicz Richard & Olivia Marshall George & Sharlene Mascarello, Jr. Michael Matuzak Bill & Dorothy McColeman Gail McCullough Dennis & JoAnn McDonald James McGowan Dan & Anna McGrew Bryan McInerney Lyle & Carolyn McLachlan Michael Mclosky Patrick & Judy McNulty Pamela McPhee Dale Melroy Suzanne Menard Paul Mesack Mercier & Dennis Meyers

David Mihalyfy Liz Monk James Mueller Karen & Robert Murphy Pat & Kathy Murphy Roy Musall Wayne & Rose Mary Nelson Cynthia Nichols Linda & Jeff Nickert Marge Noffsinger Charlene & Dennis Nosella Meagan Novara Nancy Nunn Thomas & Jacqueline O'Brien Debra Orr Grace Orr Jenn Oster Jack & Joanne Otteson Carol Palombit Sally Parrent Alandria Parrish Bea Patrick Dorothy & Donald Peacor Lana Pellegrini Jack Petersen James Peterson Karmin Philp Ashley Phipps Lois & Gary Pike Cynthia Pratt Patricia Pryor Trish Pryor Thomas Quail Carolyn Rakoczy Emily Rampe T.H. Randolph Peggy Ranger Janet Reed Mark Reetz Martha Reichelderfer Daire Rendon Nancy Rerenter David & Lovada Resinger Mitzie Richards Richard & Peggy Robertson Roger & Deborah Roman Kathleen Ryan Patricia & Thomas Rzycki Dawn Sauer M. Jill & Antonio Scarzo Amy Schade Karyn Schafer Karen Scheel Richard & Jody Schlaufman Sister Marian Schultz Nancy Schweihofer Sheri Sheese Jane Short Charles Simpson Kim Smith Larry & Marcia Snelling Patricia Sober Barb Stauffer Mary Steele Patricia & Roger Steele Luke Stefanovsky Michelle & Jeff Steffey Marilyn Stevensen Paul & Diann Sumera James & Christine Supina Lisa Sutton W.L. & Melissa Swarts Eileen Swider Helen Theisen Barbara Thiel John Thiel Dot Thompson Mary Thornsberry

Jean Tornga L. Gary & Marie Townsend Jean Umlor Brian Unruh Helen Unruh Nicole Vandecasteele Judith Voorhees Candy Wagner Mary & Robert Warne Frank Weber Dawn Weiss Humphreys Wayne & Nancy Wells James & Marilyn Welser Gerald & Roberta Werle John & Michele West Robert & Lori Westerman II Barbara Weston Kristen & Steve White Gregory & Elizabeth Whitney Doreen Wiegand Roger Wilcox Janet & George Wilkinson Jean & Lawrence Wistinghausen Constance Wood Krystal Yoder Robert & Linda Yoder Craig & Marie Younkman Mary Kay & Duncan Zienert Louis Ziraldo Graham Family Forest of Fear Accident Fund AF Group Air Way Automation, Inc. Alpena Agency Ankle & Foot Associates of Northern Michigan AT&T AuSable Media Group Beacon & Bridge Bear Lake Christian Church Blamer Financial Services, Inc./H & R Block Blue Falcon Productions, LLC Boy Mouth Bank Cheerful Givers Club Churchill United Methodist Women Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan Don Nester Chevrolet, Inc. Elizabeth D. Fortino Agency, Inc. Fifth Street Market Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 3201 FSM - Women's Ministries Gaylord Community Funeral Home Grayling Hospital for Animals Grayling Promotional Association Grayling Women of the Moose Hart Ford Lincoln Holy Family Council of Catholic Women Houghton Lake Chapter 227 - Women of the Moose Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge James Anderson PC Kiwanis Club of West Branch Kodiak Group Lacey Stephan Construction, Inc. Lewiston Lioness Lions Club Maple Forest Township McLean's Ace Hardware Mercantile Bank of Michigan Mercy Hospital - Graying Messiah Lutheran Church Messiah Women WELCA Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters

Mike's Auto & Glass Mio Lions Club Mio United Methodist Women Modern Woodmen Mt. Hope Lutheran Church North Central Area Credit Union OES Grayling Chapter #83 Our Lady of the Lake - Council of Catholic Women Parker Harvey PLC Pirate's Cove Houghton Lake Presbyterian Women - Kirk of the Lakes Price of Peace Lutheran Women Ressurection Life Center Rolling Oak Brewing Co. Roscommon Rot6ary Club #2814 Rose City Lions Club Rotary Club of Grayling Rousten Family Trust Schmidt Real Estate, Inc. Sisters of Mercy Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home, Inc. Spikehorn Bar & Restaurant St. Francis Episcopal Church St. Francis of Assis Ladies Guild St. Helen Catholic Church St. Hubert Catholic Church St. James Catholic Church St. John EV Lutheran Church St. John Ladies Aid Society St. John Lutheran St. Marys Womens Club St. Stephens of Hungary Church Stephan Wood Products The Benevity Community Impact Fund TPS Color, Inc. Uncle Byrons LLC United Methodist Women - Trinity Methodist Church Village Peddler Gift Shoppe Women of Wisdom Zion Church of the Brethren Outreach

Special Thanks to our Grant Funders

Allen Foundation, Inc.

Frederick A. Zollbrecht Foundation

Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation

Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community

The Mary Kay Foundation

Towsley Foundation

TransCanada PipeLine U.S.A., Ltd.

Hi! My name is Shawna and I am excited to introduce myself as River House’s new Youth Advocate! I

come from a small town, where I still live with my fiancée Shane and 4 children: Dalton, Brayden,

Jenna and Haidyn. I am currently studying Criminal Justice at Ferris State University, with a

concentration in Juvenile Justice. I will be completing my studies this fall and hope to combine my

knowledge and compassion to help troubled youth succeed in their future endeavors. I had always

known I was destined to work with children but it was while I was working as a Youth Specialist that I

found my true calling. I found that I was very passionate about helping young people find their peace.

1. Believe them openly and

vocally. This is the most critical

thing you can do to support a

survivor.

2. Choose your words

carefully. Avoid judgmental

words or phrases. Be open

minded. Listen.

3. Put them at ease. Have a safe

environment to talk in that is not in

public. Be aware of their mental

state and if they are ready to talk.

Offer your support but do not push

them to talk if they are not ready.

4. Be a visible and political

supporter. Get involved. Wear

your beliefs on your sleeve.

Speak up for what is right. Fight to

end sexual assault being a

cultural norm.

5. Correct others’ misconceptions

when you hear them.

Being a survivor in public can be

traumatic at times. If you see or

hear a misconception, correct it.

Change happens one person at a

time.

Having come from a broken home myself, I found that I could empathize with children who may not understand their current situation. I am

committed to having a positive impact in the lives of children who have known nothing but trauma and negativity, by being a l istening ear, an

empathetic hug or a shoulder to cry on. I promise to listen, believe, support, and guide children into being the best person they can be.

My goal is to meet with children who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual assault, to become a beacon, a

shining light of change and hope. I hope to be the voice for those who cannot speak and guide for those who may have lost their way. I

understand the impact that family trauma can have on a developing mind, I hope to reverse that impact and show these kids that there is a

better, healthier future out there.

Income: Individual / Corporate Contributions 78,452.61 Corporate and Foundation Grants 65,000.00 United Way and Other Grants 2,000.00 Government Grants 368,441.10 Total Income: 513,893.71 Expense: Salaries and Related Expenses 361,046.29 Other Employee Benefits 63,947.32 Payroll Taxes 29,645.49 Professional Fees 3,152.44 Contract Services 10,964.76 Supplies 7,916.60 Telecommunications 3,850.55 Postage and Delivery 368.09 Equipment Rental and Maintenance 7,842.55 Printing and Publications 384.06 Occupancy Expenses 26,394.02 Travel 14,365.81 Conferences and Meetings 2,179.42 Insurance—General 14,418.08 Membership Dues 25.00 Advertising 141.40 Fundraising Expenses 4,484.71 Other Expenses 15,714.67 Total Expenses: 566,841.26 Net Income -52,947.55

One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives

51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner

and 40.8% by an acquaintance

52.4% of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a

stranger

In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator

The lifetime cost of rape per victim is $122,461

81% of women and 35% of men report significant short- or long-term impacts

such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

We’ve all heard the statistics about rape

and sexual assault over the last decade.

Recent social media movements have

created a lot of buzz words surrounding

rape, sexual assault, and survivors. A lot

of you may be thinking “okay, that’s awful

people are being assaulted, but it hasn’t

happened to me, so what can I do?”

There is a lot you can do! Sexual assault

survivors have to deal with a lot of

silencing, guilt, trauma, and shame. Many

of the best ways to support or help a

survivor are centered around helping them

feel empowered by finding their voice and

being heard. We begin to heal when we

are able to tell our story.

According to Rape, Abuse, and Incest

National Network (RAINN), a person in

the U.S. is assaulted every 92 seconds.

So, being prepared with thoughtful ways

to respond if someone comes forward as

a survivor is critical.

Knowing how to respond to survivors

when they share their story is vital

because a negative response can worsen

the trauma, foster an environment

where perpetrators face no

consequences for their crimes, and

continue to add to the mindset of sexual

assault being a cultural norm. It’s

important to directly listen to survivor’s

themselves about their experiences and

ask them how you can help. Each

survivor’s story, journey, and needs will

vary but every survivor needs to be

believed, supported, and listened to.

Change starts with you!