#DVAM at EPIC Academy on 10/28/13

We had an awesome time talking to the teens at EPIC Academy on 10/28/13.  The panelists shared their testimonies of personal experiences with domestic violence, the panelists also discussed several important warning signs as it relates to teen dating violence and opened the discussion, for their questions.

Although domestic violence happens in our communities often, it doesn't have to if we continue to educate ourselves as well as others and no matter the age to began the dialogue.  

The teens are honoring the observance of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, by selling the ribbons in the far right, bottom corner.  Some of the proceeds will go towards A New Me Foundation, Inc. to help continue providing FREE services to the clients they serve.

We are proud of these young ladies for learning about domestic violence and going out in the community to BREAK THE SILENCE and help end violence against women and their children.

NOVEMBER: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

The Struggle is OVER!

Sometimes, we don't know when we have passed through a storm or struggles in our life because our minds have been so consumed with "getting through it".  I know from personal experience that you have to declare and decree in the prophetic voice and by faith, know when, the struggle is OVER.

Have you ever had God deliver you from something and you couldn't believe it and kept questioning it, instead of just walking into your NEW beginning?  Yep, me too.  This song spoke to me this evening and it was on my heart that someone needed to know that their struggle is OVER and God has never left your side the entire time you went through it.

Jesus told the good shepherd that He came to give us life and life more abundantly (see John 10:10). With that, we must know that struggles are not meant to take us out but to keep us living.

It's hard for someone to celebrate victories because of the feelings of being possibly too prideful or arrogant.  Well, people always celebrated after a hard time in their life in the Bible, with praise and worship first, they had feasts of celebrations, singing songs, celebrating by dancing, etc.  So what better way to acknowledge that a struggle is over than to celebrate the fact that YOU MADE IT THROUGH ALIVE and THANKING GOD FOR THE JOURNEY.

The other day, I celebrated my life of living on Facebook by acknowledging that, for another year, I am STILL a survivor of domestic violence and working even harder in the community to help others affected by it. I shared that I don't take my life for granted not one day that I rise to live in it.  So many women have died by the hands of and/or weapons of their abusers, for me not to know, acknowledge that, that struggle is OVER in my life and I am now walking in my PURPOSE.

The next time a struggle for you arises, know that it won't last long, God planting seeds of growth in an area of your life and get ready to reap the harvest of NEW blessings for YOU and everyone connected to you.

What are some ways that will confirm to a person that their struggle is over?

Listen to song in the above video an be blessed.

DONATE Children's Books to the Kids at Clara's House on 10/12

HELP NEEDED: PLEASE donate CHILDREN'S BOOKS to A New Me Foundation for the kids at Clara's House on 10/12. I can pick them up or call me to drop them off. This is ANMF's community service project for the month of October in observance of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. If your kids just have books laying around the house that they aren't reading anymore, PLEASE donate them to US. Coloring books and cross word puzzle books are excepted too. Teachers and retired teachers are welcomed to donate books from your classroom that you aren't using anymore.

Please Keep Me Safe...... #DVAM

Psalm 25:1-5
Please keep me safe, Lord.

I offer you my heart, Lord God, 

and I trust You.

Don't make me ashamed 

or let enemies defeat me.

Don't disappoint any 

of Your worshippers,

but disappoint all 

deceitful liars.

Show me Your paths

and teach me to follow;

guide me by your truth

and instruct me.

You keep me safe,

and I always trust you.

             

OCTOBER is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH (#DVAM)!  At A New Me Foundation, Inc., we are excited to help our fellow Chicagoland organizations and partners raise awareness and host various events to keep our communities engaged in a conversation that NO ONE wants to talk about: domestic violence.  Each year there are domestic violence walks/runs, vigils, panel discussions, community events, fundraisers, etc, and all of the organizations need YOUR help.   

Why do I make it my business to support #DVAM every year?  

Other than me annually celebrating myself being a survivor for another year and saying prayers for all of the victims we lost within a year,  sadly the homicide rates due to domestic violence cases haven't stopped.  Somewhere we are missing a link from education, prevention and implementation of resources and workshops that we haven't reached to those victims that we see on our news channels.  I have been connected to several women who like myself have survived domestic violence as well as connected with women who have lost a daughter, sister, mother or aunt due to domestic violence.

I'll never forget a teenager I met last school year who disclosed to me that she witness her aunt's boyfriend murder her in the alley in the back of their house.  This student mom was on drugs and wasn't around much and so that aunt was the only mother figure she knew of and now she was gone too.  Needless to say, the teen felt abandoned, again.  With organizations such as A New Me, we help rebuild healthier relationships in families and empower all women and children who have been affected by or exposed to violence either in their homes, schools or communities.

We all know at least ONE person that is a victim or survivor of domestic violence.  DO ALL THAT YOU CAN to either help them get away from their abuser or stay a SURVIVOR.  Get educated on domestic violence and help support organizations financially and I'm sure they will appreciate ANY AMOUNT that your heart was led to give.

Check back here all month to see what we have going on, where we'll be, guests on our blogs, etc.

What ways are you gonna support #DVAM?????

Be blessed!!!!