A Letter from our Founder

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  

RELAUNCH OF THE BOOK: GOD, DO I HEAR WEDDING BELLS?

Let me say, I am extremely humbled by the opportunities I've had because of my first book, God, Do I Hear Wedding Bells?  This book opened up so many doors for me to speak out against domestic violence.  This book is not nor has it ever been a "tell all" book regarding my former marriage.  My ex-husband was very supportive of this book financially, emotionally and he also attended my first book signing back in 2007.  We both have had to endure painful memories in our lives and wanted to share with anyone who wanted to read it.  I dedicated this book to him as well because we both gained a testimony out of it (look how God works).  


As I have written plenty other books, blogs and various writings that have been published, this book is and will always be my "baby".  If you have read the book, please ask others to come out and purchase this book to help me continue to provide domestic violence awareness and educational workshops in our communities.  


This is a fictional story of some of the experiences I actually went through while in a domestic violence relationship.  My prayer for this book is to not point fingers at anyone but for people to gain wisdom and seek God to be delivered from their shortcomings (we all have at least one).

Remember as you go forth in life: BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!!!

DON'T GIVE UP!!!!

Ever felt like God isn't listening to you? Ever felt like giving up? Helped others all the while, you're in desperate need of basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing? Trotted around the same valley in your life and never making it to the mountaintop? Didn't get the grades you were the most proud of? Unemployed or didn't hired for the position you wanted? If so, guess what? I HAVE TOO!!! I come by way of faith today to reach out to someone who is ready to give up and take the roads less traveled in life. Being an entrepreneur is NOT all cookies and cream, especially with new businesses. I pay homage to business owners of 25 plus years. Trying to empower women and live a normal life is no easy task. Yes, I've empowered some men along the way but my passion is to help women that have been affected by domestic violence and other injustices in this world. I have my feet planted back firmly now towards my dreams and personal goals. For a while I was so lost or so it seemed that I couldn't write or say any words of encouragement to anyone. This was surely my wilderness season. It almost felt weird writing again and getting ready to relaunch my first book I wrote, God, Do I Hear Wedding Bells? But time and time again, God sent people that have shared their struggles and left me with two POWERFUL thoughts to meditate and ACT on: "This is going to add to your testimony". "You're not on the same wavelengths/channels/frequencies as your blessings. You are allowing your current situation to distract you". "DON'T GIVE UP". When I tell you that these three sentences has changed my life in a matter of a 24 hour period, it was only God using His earthen vessels. I'm human like everyone else, my life is not always together and believe it or not I MAKE TONS OF MISTAKES. Some things I excel in than others and with success there will be some failures. I don't always do things right the first time around, but I never stop trying. A NEW ME is forever changing and I'm not just talking about my foundation. I'm talking about me as a person and the foundation. My faith has been the only thing that has kept me sane throughout this season and others. I don't know what God is getting ready to do in my life and others, but, I TRUST HIM TO TAKE CARE OF ALL OF MY NEEDS. For the community of sisters who have been victims of domestic violence, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Know that God loves you and so do I. For the women that needs to be empowered, put one foot in front of the other and carry yourself towards a new journey in life. Again, I say all of these things because either at one point in my life or currently, I'm walking in the same paths as you are. Be blessed in all that you do, and do in the lives of others. BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!!

GOD says, It's Time to MOVE ON

I almost want to do a praise shout right here but I'll save it for later. I have been attacked in every area of my life in the month of April: finances, love, one of my children, business loss, personal frustrations, etc. in each area, God either restored it and made things better, OR He gave me the ok that it's simply time to MOVE ON, and move on now. I very aggressive with my faith with God, meaning, I don't let NOTHING or NO ONE move or influence my faith in an opposite direction. A lot of the things that you see me post or heard me talk about is from the root of having FAITH in the impossible. I almost never have the capital or resources to produce the things that I do. But I have shown people that I have a desire to get things done and commit to it, no matter what. The key to me in this start phase of legally making a solid rock for A New Me Foundation to stand on is, knowing when to MOVE ON! That goes for business, my personal life, kids and any other area. To me, you can reinvent a wheel so many times. I'm very PASSIONATE about what I do for and in the lives of others, so comes with a lot behind the scene sacrifices. I'm a woman and enjoy the pamperings of getting my nails and toes done or going on week long vacations to exotic places. BUT I DON'T!!!!! I use that money instead, to put together events and workshops to help raise awareness and educate our community on domestic violence. Let me tell you one thing about my business, IT IS EXPENSE TO OPERATE! Opportunities are NOT just gonna randomly knock on my door. I have to go out and get it!!!! That's it and that's the bottom line. People are always telling me that people in their organizations are basically slackers and what should they do? I tell them plain and simple MOVE ON!!!! If they are in the cause as hard as you, then move on to someone else is. There are plenty people out there who are looking for ways to volunteer, market your brand and so on, but they don't know you exist because you are still having meetings about why no one is stepping up to the plate. Or about, who is doing all the work. Hate to tell you, but it's time to move on!!!!! I was so comfortable in my roles with A New Me Foundation, until God recently put me at a place to ONLY DEPEND ON HIM & HEAR FROM HIM.....the revelation I got, it's time to MOVE ON!!! God could not and can not continue to use me and enlarge my territories if I continue to use the same models or templates over the past five years. Remember, ANMF just started forming last year but I have been providing the services since 2007. I can't continue do what I've been doing and expect growth or change to happen. Not gonna happen, it's time to MOVE ON and move on to NEW things that produce actions and change in society. I pray that this blog has inspired you to MOVE ON from what has been hindering your continuous flow of blessings. BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES!!!!!

STOP THE VIOLENCE IN DEZ STREETS

Feeling frisky today, so I decided to discuss the violence that's going on in dez streets of Chicago.  I look at my beautiful city and acknowledge the wonderful African American leaders and historical landmarks and neighborhoods.  I ask myself, how can a city with the #1 NBA team THE CHICAGO BULLS (that's for the Heat fans lol), be a city where teens and young adults, are so full of rage?  What is going on?  Where has parents, society, neighbors, community leaders and centers failed them?  Or, have we failed at all?

I am a mother and one day, I have plans to become a wife.  I don't plan on moving to another city, unless it's MIAMI, so I need answers to those questions.  Not only answers to those questions, but SOLUTIONS or ACTION PLANS!!!!  It amazes me that the United States has recently put together a National HIV/AIDS strategy for our country, when they (USA) have gone and developed strategies for other countries, first.  I bring this point up because it's time that the violence in dez streets of Chicago, have a strategy put together in order to end it.  Lord knows, we don't need anymore legal documents saying what you can or cannot do.  What I'm saying is we need to create a strategy that works, and that will be implemented into our daily lives.  Again, I am a mother and awaiting on God to send my husband, in time and I want to enjoy those blessings in a peaceful and SAFE city.

I was on WVON last week on Dr. Finney's show discussing these issues and I talked about before the show went on, how I believe some of this rage in our teens and young adults can be that domestic violence in the homes.  What are mom and dad doing in the home, that our kids feel that violence is the answer to their problem?  I honestly believe that in order to fix dez streets of Chicago, we have to start in the homes.  Help our men find jobs and education.  Help our mothers spend time with their children and offer support to the single moms so that BET, MTV, HBO and dez streets of Chicago, won't be raising our kids and giving them the wrong directions.  Teach our children how to behave and dress for success not to be the next video whore or walking around creating another sterotype for our culture.....dreads and white T's, will replace Trayvon's hoodie, skittles and tea soon.  Our people will march all day long, we learned that from the Bayou's of Louisiana, along the Mississippi river and in Memphis that tragic day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot and killed.  So we can march when it's time to make justice pay us some attention, but what do we do once we return to our communities.......nothing!  Absolutely, nothing and that is the sad part.

I want to know your thoughts as it is the topic for today on A New Me Foundation Facebook page and Twitter (@anewmef).  Do you think DOMESTIC VIOLENCE plays a role in the violence that's going on in Chicago? Why or Why not?




BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!!

STRENGTH VS WEAKNESS

I will be teaching a workshop tomorrow to a women's support group on the topic: Strengths vs Weakness.  I prayed about a topic to discuss to the women because the last time I spoke to this group, the topic was domestic violence.  We covered the warning signs, starting over and the power of forgiveness.  So now that we have that out of the way on the way to greatness....I felt the spirit say to me, "strengths vs weakness".......

I'll admit, when I prayed, I asked God to reveal to me if that was a topic for myself or the group to discuss and get involved in removing some layers of weakness or rediscovering new ways to strengthen our strengths.  So yep, pretty much, that same spirit (Holy spirit) pinched my soul and said you better get to work on yourself so you can get the revelations you need to teach this group.  Anybody that knows me, know that I've fought the spirit plenty of times in the past to be smart enough now, to listen and OBEY the Holy Spirit!  I began instantly on this assignment, grabbed my journal and went to work.

In my current endeavors, people "read" about my life as a motivational speaker, author and founder of A New Me Foundation, but not know the "behind the scene" advantages and disadvantages that I go through to accomplish my goals and to help others in life.  I am a crybaby at heart.  I'll cry first and then reflect on my weaknesses or challenges later.  A lot of people assume that leaders have it all together.  I've researched powerful and phenomenal women in our current society and a few that paved the way.  I gathered that although we see them successful and beautiful in front of the camera, they too have endured and currently dealing with weaknesses in their lives.

To name a few women for you to research, look over the lives of Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson, Mary Monroe, Halle Berry, etc...... even with the recent loss of our favorite singer, Whitney Houston....she too had some weaknesses.  Not convinced on this group?  What about David, Mary & Martha, Paul, Peter and any other name you dissect in the Bible.  They all had at least one weakness in their lives.

It does my heart no good to beat myself up over mistakes I've made or areas in my life that I appear weak to myself or others.  I have strength through Jesus the Christ to conquer those weaknesses any day of the week.  When I find I weakness, I get to the bottom of it by exploring the options of where it came from and how can I execute it, quickly, if it's simple or create an action plan to get rid of it.  Problems won't go away if you ignore them, nor does your weaknesses.  Get in the word, study it, live it and therefore when you feel that weakness creeping up in your life.......GO TO WORD!!! The Word of God will teach you how to deal with your weakness:

Isaiah 40:29 (NLT)  He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

I say these things to you not as an expert but as a witness of the gospel that your faith and strength will only come from the Lord, in your weakness.  When you overcome a weakness, you will look around and say, "My God has not forsaken me"....wonder who said that in the Bible....LOL

PLEASE CONTINUE TO HELP A NEW ME FOUNDATION BREAK THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Makes YOU a Great WOMAN???

Looking back over my life and the lives of a few others, I'd have to say that my uniqueness, hardworking ethics, dedication, compassion towards others, attitude adjustments, completing personal and career goals, motherhood and it's challenges and a host of other things makes me a GREAT WOMAN.

I often ask in my domestic violence workshops, what describes you as a person.  After the women take a few seconds to jot down or gather in their minds their specific attributes about themselves, it's time for the revelation.  You would be surprised at how many WOMEN can NOT answer this simple question.  Due to years of being cast out by their partners and/or family.  Some women often take on whatever characteristics their partner is or have.  Take a quick test and grade your self on that theory of mine.  In the meantime, This blog is all about YOU...the GREAT WOMAN that YOU are.  The point of this exercise is to open a dialogue to and for the women to start making their own choices and preparing to go to new levels in their lives, while discovering NEW talents/gifts, that they never knew were there, or too afraid to step out on faith.

I recently attended ANMF Parenting Class and we were asked a question: What makes you a good parent?  With the three children that I have and their very different personalities, I personally feel that, I'm a good parent simply because I have remained sane since I was introduced to motherhood.  For some women, patience is really a virtue when you have children.  I think motherhood alone is the greatest gift from God to a WOMAN.

Women come in all different shapes, sizes and colors but yet we all are made wonderfully in God's image.  I never really understood why it's so hard for women to get along in society.  There are so many cliques (yes I was apart of few in my younger day).  I always advocate on my own behalf that in my younger days, I was selfish, sometimes inconsiderate, let boys dictate my friends, etc and if I hurt anyone that crossed my path...I APOLOGIZE!  Since those days, I've become a new person with new mindsets.  I think that's another thing GREAT about me:  I don't carry BAGGAGE with me.  I've done so much in my past that people have forgiven me for that it's only right I set that example in my own life.

So today, I ask you, what makes you a great woman?  Plant your seed(s) today and make a difference in our society, in some way.







Help break the silence in our communities about domestic violence!!!!