Dear SURVIVORS:
The time is approaching again to observe those of us that have been affected by domestic violence. Each year I go to the kick off rally at the Thompson Center here in Chicago. It is a place of reflection for me. First, I thank God that I am still on the other side of domestic violence as a survivor, then I say a prayer for victims and their families. However, the cycle will never be completely broken until we also help our batterers as well. So I briefly stop by the table set up for Domestic Peace which is a court mandated program that is designed to help batterers seek help beyond leaving the courtroom/incarceration. This day is filled with courage, joy, sadness, inspiration and a host of other attributes as participants and onlookers gather to hear the latest statistics, see and hear elected officials perspectives on the annual observance and even see those outside who are simply on their lunch breaks, listening to the conversations.
Each year during this rally, I set new goals for myself as a survivor and for A New Me Foundation. After all, this rally has helped me tremendously in all of my endeavors to end the fight of violence against women and their children. It saddens me that thousands of people show up for breast cancer and AIDS walks but 100 people show up to speak out against domestic violence. Just as cancer and AIDS, domestic violence is present in homes in our communities DAILY! There are too many 9-1-1 calls made daily to Chicago Police Department to back that fact up and not to mention the calls that never make it through because either the victim changed their mind, couldn't make it to a phone, a neighbor turned their back or worse, the batterer killed the victim.
People have been asking me what is ANMF doing for DVAM? My answer is simple, no events but simply getting the money needed to submit to the IRS for the non-profit status. To me, we have spread the word in our communities by hosting local events (not that we're going to stop doing that), but it's time for us to go after the "big dogs" and to do that, you have to have government and private funders. ANMF isn't just another place for those battered women to get services, no, ANMF is the place that birth LEADERS out of those that at one time, have been abused.
As the Founder and Executive Director of ANMF, I take full responsibility of helping others in life receive the best out of life. I encourage everyone to continue their support to ANMF and other agencies and advocates of domestic violence. We could never do this work alone and wouldn't even try to. It takes courage and compassion for you to donate your time and/or hard earned money to those less fortunate than you. On behalf of those that walk in similar shoes as myself, WE THANK YOU!!!
Know that we don't only observe domestic violence in the month of October but EVERYDAY of our lives and in the lives of others. There are victims out there who need us to help them and we are available to help and with your help, can continue to help them regardless of what society says about them.
In all that you do, may God continue to bless you as you help BREAK THE SILENCE of domestic violence in our communities.
With love from afar,
Felicia Simpson
Founder & Executive Director of ANMF
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