LifelinesViolence PreventionTHROUGH EDUCATION, ENCOURAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT.

Spring/Summer 2011

By Becky Hershey, LCSW, TherapistLast summer, I had the opportunity to attend a four- day workshop in Ignacio, Colorado on Filial Therapy. The workshop was facilitated by Rise Van Fleet, Ph.D., the founder and president of the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center, Inc. Dr. Van Fleet is one of the leading experts in the field of Child Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy.

Filial Therapy (FT) is a family intervention that lasts between 15 and 20 weeks and allows the parents to work directly with their child, becoming the primary agent of change for their child. It has a strong focus on repairing and strengthening the relationship between the parent and the child as well as addressing the presenting problems for that family. Throughout the FT process, the therapist and parent work

Filial Therapyrebuilding relationships, one family at a time

together to focus on the strengths of the family and create skills that are useful across a variety of settings and situations. I believe that two of the greatest benefits of FT are that it builds on the belief that the parents are the experts in their child’s life and that these parents, upon completing the FT process, have a set of skills they can use throughout the rest of their parenting years. It is an intervention that allows the parent to be self-sufficient in problem-solving of both current and future needs of the parent-child relationship.The research shows that FT reduces parental stress, helps parents increase their understanding and acceptance of the children, decreases the

presenting problem for the children and increases parents’ skill level. FT can be used to address a wide range of child and family problems including

but not limited to issues related to trauma and maltreatment, witness of violence, anxiety, depression, separation and divorce, grief and loss, attachment problems including reactive attachment disorder, parental incarceration, and other issues. It has also been shown to be successful in application across cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.The relationships between the perpetrating parent, the victim parent and their children are damaged for a variety of reasons when there is domestic violence present. FT can provide the opportunity for the relationships to begin to be repaired between the child and one or both of

their parents (when clinically appropriate). FT is offered to families as a way to address and repair family issues and provide the tools for the families to go out into the world and be successful on their own. WCFOC plans to use FT across many of our settings including in the Out-Client Clinical Program at all locations and in the Shelter Program. Currently, FT is being used with individual families but eventually there will be opportunities for a FT group program. I am really excited about the opportunity to work with all clinical staff to develop and adapt this intervention and a comprehensive FT program to meet the needs of our clients.

Spring/Summer 2011

StaffJennifer Walker, MPA, Executive DirectorAnn Carter, MPA, Director of DevelopmentCindy Smrcka, LCSW, Clinical DirectorJody Curl, MA, Shelter DirectorRobin Wilton, Business ManagerAdministrAtion stAff

Renee Forsythe, Community Outreach CoordinatorHeather Orr, MA, Volunteer & Special Events Coord.Norma Keyser, Administrative AssistantLegAL AdvocAtes

Stephanie Bollaro, Shelter Tracy Corsi, Douglas & Elbert CountytherApy stAff

Colleen Ekback, BS, Clinical InternRebecca Gale, MSW, TherapistHeather Golden, MS, Therapist Marissa Hanson, BSW, Clinical InternAnne Harper-Andra, LPC, TherapistBecky Hershey, LCSW, TherapistTamera Milner, LPC, TherapistMonica Rosine, BS, Clinical InternEllen Sloan, LPC, TherapistAudra Vann, LCSW, Clinical SupervisorsheLter stAff

Brittany Barlet, AdvocateSvoboda Burns, AdvocateMichelle DeBello, Asst. House ManagerJenny Dunn, Shelter Services CoordinatorStephanie Fitzsimmons, MA, Child TherapistDanna Hacker, Shelter Services CoordinatorNatalie Hicks, Advocate(Bodhi) Monica Horton, AdvocateSonya Love, AdvocateDominica Reinhard, AdvocateMarjorie Sayers, Primary Advocate (adults)Michelle Spradling, AdvocateNicole Springstroh, Primary Advocate (children)Paula Stack, Advocate

Sherry Merrill, President Lynn Williamson, Vice President Sandy Gibbons, Secretary Barb Gay, Treasurer Art Castro, At LargeAudrey EllingNancy Faulk

Beth Klein Rich Levine Linnea LewisRichard RhodesDavid StarckKrista Tushar

Board of Directors

WelcomeI would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Shelter Director at the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center. My name is Jody Curl, and I am happy to say that I joined the team in December 2010. A little bit of my history: I am a native Minnesotan

(and yes the winters here are much better, just like everyone has said), but moved to Colorado in July 2010, along with my family. I have over twenty-one years of experience in non-profit management and residential programming, serving adults with physical and developmental disabilities.

Exciting things are happening at the WCFOC’s shelter. Not only has our capacity increased by 250% with the completion of the new facility – 5,910 nights of safe shelter were provided to victims of domestic violence in 2010 as compared to 2,404 in 2009 – we have three new initiatives that are taking place in our program, just since I have arrived. First, we have hired two new staff, Stephanie Fitzsimmons as our Child Therapist, and Nicole Springstroh as our Primary Child Advocate – both focusing their work on the needs and success of our youngest clients. Secondly, I would like to acknowledge Marjorie Sayers, Primary Advocate, who will be facilitating client participation in a study conducted by the University of Denver. The study will examine the relationship between a child’s exposure to domestic violence and animal abuse by a parent and that child’s behavioral problems. Finally, we have also partnered with Rocky Vista University in providing free health screenings to our shelter clients on a monthly basis. This partnership not only provides a service to families that have not had access to healthcare before, but also increases their continuum of care and potential for success long after they leave our facility.

I want to thank each member of my shelter staff for everything you have taught me already

(new staff members) Brittany Barlet, Nicole Springstroh, Stephanie Fitzsimmons, MA, Michelle DeBello, Paula Stack and the entire agency for welcoming me aboard. I can honestly say that after only three short months, I am truly thankful to be part of such a wonderful organization and look forward to an exciting year.

Thank you to our Annual Partners2011The WCFOC sincerely thanks its Annual Partners for their continued support. These businesses are vital to the success of our agency. The WCFOC continues to seek business partnerships such as these. If you or someone you know are interested in this opportunity, please contact Jennfier Walker at jwalker@twcfoc.org OR Ann Carter at acarter@twcfoc.org. or call 303-688-1094.

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Programs & Services24-Hour Crisis LineStaffed by trained professionals, the 24-hour Crisis Line provides immediate intervention, information and referrals to assist thousands of individuals affected by domestic violence each year.

Emergency ShelterThis 28-bed facility provides a safe shelter for hundreds of adults and children who are escaping the atrocities of domestic violence each year. During their stay, all daily essentials for living are provided; on-site therapy and legal advocacy, assistance with goal setting and 24-hour emotional support are also available.

Adult & Child TherapyEvery year, professional, experienced counselors provide guidance and therapy for hundreds of victims of domestic violence in shelter and in our out-client programs. Special programs exist for children who have experienced, either directly or indirectly, violence in their lives. Individual therapy and group counseling are available.

Legal AdvocacyThe WCFOC employs two Legal Advocates to provide support and advocacy to hundreds of victims of domestic violence each year during the often complex and confusing legal process. The advocacy program includes assistance with restraining orders, legal referrals, court accompaniment and general support navigating the civil and criminal justice systems.

School OutreachWCFOC’s school-based program is a prevention initiative to assist children in developing skills to increase their chances of setting healthy boundaries and engaging in healthy relationships. Schools may contract directly with WCFOC for school-based services designed to meet the needs of students with mild to moderate emotional or behavioral issues. Whole class presentations, small group programming, staff training and consultation, parent consultation and parent education are some of the services WCFOC provides. Contact Cindy Smrcka at csmrcka@twcfoc.org to discuss a school-based program.

Community Outreach Specialized trainings, educational presentations, violence prevention initiatives, annual fund-raisers, and outreach booths are methods by which the WCFOC helps to raise awareness of this very important social issue. Please e-mail Renee at rforsythe@twcfoc.org or call 303-688-1094 for more information.

VisionIt is the ultimate vision of the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) to assist in ending violence in the lives of all people.

MissionThe WCFOC is dedicated to reducing domestic violence and family conflict through advocacy, empowerment, violence prevention and intervention, services and education.

ValuesThe Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) values the individual diversity of all employees, volunteers, clients, and supporters of our violence prevention programs. Differences and distinguishing factors provide experiences, viewpoints, and ideas that can strengthen and enrich our work. Our goal is to create an evolving environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable, and to welcome and be accessible to all populations of clients in order to accomplish the mission of the WCFOC.

Spring/Summer 2011

more than 650 WCFOC supporters enjoy night of music, fun, food and friends11th Annual Empty Bowl: Success!!

Spring/Summer 2011

By Heather Orr, MA, Volunteer & Events Coordinator

This year marked the 11th anniversary of Empty Bowl. 11 years of beautiful handmade pottery bowls. 11 years of delicious soups, bread and desserts. 11 years of loyal friends gathered to support the work of the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center (WCFOC).

As the dust settles, we are humbled and proud to report that in this 11th year of celebration, Empty Bowl was once again a big success. We raised nearly $60,000 -- all of which will go directly to WCFOC programs and services.

650 generous supporters were in attendance!

50 talented potters donated over 1800 pottery bowls and 90 centerpieces – each and every one unique and beautiful!

10 local area restaurants donated 3,000 servings of hot and delicious soups!

13 area restaurants and bakeries donated hundreds of delectable breads and desserts!

Over 100 local individuals and businesses gave a unique and wonderful variety of auction items!

The WCFOC’s operating budget has continued to increase this year with the opening of our new 28-bed Emergency Shelter in early 2010. The funds raised at Empty Bowl will go a long way toward supporting these increased costs.

On behalf of the Board and staff of WCFOC as well as the clients we serve, thank you to all of those who supported us or attended Empty Bowl 2011. We look forward to many great events in the future!

Once again we would like to thank the sponsors of the 11th Annual Empty Bowl: MW Golden Constructors, IREA, First Bank of Douglas County, AM Signal, Inc., EKS&H, Hein & Associates, LLP, and our Title Sponsor group: Parker Adventist Hospital, Littleton Adventist

4 Hospital, and Castle Rock Adventist Health Campus.

Heather Orr, MA- our new Volunteer and Events Coordinator, has been with WCFOC since 2009 and in the Fall of 2010 stepped into her current position. Heather has her Master’s degree from the

University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in Sociology with an emphasis in non-profit management. She has also worked with various organizations throughout Colorado including Dress for Success, The White House Project and FutureSelf. The WCFOC staff is excited to see Heather excel in her new role!

more than 650 WCFOC supporters enjoy night of music, fun, food and friends11th Annual Empty Bowl: Success!!

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Spring/Summer 2011

Thank you to all who

attended the 11th

Annual Empty Bowl. It

truly was a wonderful

community event and

your support is greatly

appreciated!

Spring/Summer 2011

Changing FacesWCFOC Board of Directors and Staff Additions, Fall 2010-Spring 2011

WCFOC Board of Directors

WCFOC Staff

Arturo Castro was born and raised in Puerto Rico, then lived in Cuba from age 10 to 25. With a degree in Civil Engineering, he served in the US Army Corps of Engineers, worked in concrete-related construction, and then became Sales Manager for Master Builders in South America. Art retired with his wife to the Denver area in 2003 and enjoys bicycling, hiking and camping. In addition to translating for our Spanish-speaking clients, Art has also volunteered with RSVP and CASA; in 2010, he was selected for a service award by the Minoru Yasui organization.

Rich Levine is a Financial Advisor helping individuals, families and small businesses in the areas of risk management, wealth preservation and wealth accumulation. Rich, his wife Morry, and daughter Megan are passionate about the WCFOC’s mission. In their spare time they enjoy hiking, skiing and the outdoors.

Krista Tushar, Esq. is a Denver native and CSU alum. Graduating “with distinction” from the University of Nebraska Law school in 1993, she eventually came back to the Denver area with her current firm McGloin, Davenport, Severson and Snow, PC. where she has a special interest in complex commercial litigation. Krista is married with one daughter.

Nancy Falk brings nearly 20 years of non-profit experience, including marketing campaigns, event planning, and donor relations with the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and currently, with Sky Ridge Medical Center, a long-standing annual partner of the WCFOC. This unique perspective brings great insight into her role with the WCFOC. Nancy lives in Highlands Ranch with her husband and two children.

Beth Klein is a Colorado Native who grew up in Littleton. She attended the University of Colorado and is currently a Vice President for FirstBank in the Tech Center. Being a long-term Colorado resident, she became very familiar with the WCFOC and our vital services for the area. In addition to her duties as a board member, she enjoys hiking and tennis in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Norma Keyser is a Colorado Native who grew up in South Texas. In addition to her duties as the Administrative Assistant, she enjoys exploring and visiting mountain towns and camping in the summer and scrapbooking in the winter.

Tracy Corsi is our new legal advocate for Douglas and Elbert County clients. Tracy has great experience as a victim advocate with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Elbert County as well as working for the past several years in a family law office as a paralegal. She lives in Elbert County and has strong connections with the community.

Spring/Summer 2011

Exciting new ways to make your hard-earned dollars go farther ….

Just this past month, the WCFOC received a generous and anonymous gift, one that will make a tremendous impact in our programming, in our outreach, and in our successes with victims of domestic violence and for the region at-large. This $50,000 contribution has been presented to us but it is also an opportunity to each and every donor, both current and future. It is structured in such a way that will allow up to a 1:1 match of dollars toward:

gifts from brand new donors; an increase in the level of giving from existing donors; and donations toward our programming from individuals and businesses who contributed previously to our capital campaign.

What an amazing chance to double the power of your funding and an exciting time to become a vehicle for positive change in the lives of so many families.

Leave A Legacy...For most of you reading this newsletter, you are already a donor. You may have prepared meals for our shelter families or volunteered at an event. You may have directed a year-end donation to one of our programs. Or, you may have assisted financially with our capital campaign when we built the new shelter. But, what about the future? How do we make sure that the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center is here providing vital services to victims of domestic violence in 10 years, in 25 years, in 50 years, and long after we are all gone?

Leaving a legacy is about helping an organization that you care about be sustainable. It is about ensuring the mission of helping vulnerable families will continue. It is about creating a source of revenue that will live well beyond our own lives. And luckily, it can take a variety of forms: from estate planning, to IRA and bank account designations, to life insurance policy proceeds, to giving appreciated stocks and bonds. For more information on the simple steps to work with the WCFOC on a Planned Giving approach that is right for you and your family, please visit our Web site at www.twcfoc.org.

Or to speak with someone about this or any type of a donation, event sponsorship, business partnership, or gifts in-kind, please email acarter@twcfoc.org or call Ann at 303-688-1094.

Capitol Quilt Show

June 6 - August 19, 2011

Featuring: WCFOC Donor Recognition QuiltThe Colorado Quilting Council (CQC) will showcase the talent of Colorado quilters at the State Capitol this summer in the Captiol Quilt Show. This wonderful show of quilts will take place in a spectacular setting that has impressed Coloradans and visitors to our state for many years. The show is free and is open to visitors during the normal building hours, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note that the Capitol is no longer open on Saturdays. You may call the Tour Desk at the Capitol at 303-866-2604 to check on opening times or for further information. Many thousands of people will view and enjoy the quilts throughout the duration of the show. The Capitol Quilt Show is a special showcase for new, old and antique quilts made by one or more Coloradans. The committee accepted approximately 250 quilts.

The Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center is proud to announce the “WCFOC Donor Recognition Quilt” as one of the special few chosen for this honor and will be on display during this quilt show. A special thank you to Denise Starck for her efforts in making both this quilt and this honor a reality. 7

The WCFOC Donor

Recognition Quilt will

be on display from

March-April 2011 at

the Castle Rock City

Hall & from June-

August at the Colorado

State Capitol.

$50,000Matching Grant Opportunity

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Castle Rock, CO Permit No. 0072

Volunteer Appreciation April 19th, 2011

Donor Appreciation June 2011

Contact Heather for more information at hmorr@twcfoc.org

Save the DatePO Box 367, Castle Rock, CO 80104

Future for Families GalaOctober 21, 2011

Tickets will be available online September 1, 2011

www.twcfoc.org

Team PurpleUp Next: Colfax Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, Team Relay and 5k

Upcoming Events and OutreachAwareness

National Volunteer Appreciation Week : April 10th-16thNational Victims Rights Week: April 10th-16th

Volunteer9News Health Fair- Highlands Ranch, April 9th

9News Health Fair- Castle Rock, April 15th9News Health Fair- Windrest, April 16th

9News Health Fair- Parker, April 17thVolunteer Orientation-May 14th

SupportCastle Rock Ducky Derby- May 14th

Team

pur

ple

To Register, please visit www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org or go to www.twcfoc.org and click on the Team Purple logo.

1. Look through the list of Charity Partners and find the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center.

2. When you register through Active.com, there is an option to select the Charity Partner, WCFOC.

3. WCFOC will email you directly with instructions on how to start your fundraising.

4. Already registered? No problem. Email info@runcolfax.org and they will get you all set-up.

For more information, please contact Renee at (303) 688-1094 ext 24, or rforsythe@twcfoc.org.

Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon, Half Marathon, & Relay will be Sunday, May 15, 2011 and the 5k Race will be Saturday, May 14, 2011.

WCFOC is looking for dedicated individuals to run these races for Team Purple and to raise funds for WCFOC. Runner benefits will be included.

WCFOC will receive up

to 40% of all online tickets sales for the 2011

Ducky Derby.

Visit www.twcfoc.org for more info or to purchase tickets.