Weblog
Monday, 14 December 2009
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Starting Fresh
Hello Everyone,
I have definitely missed blogging for my Xanga Readers. Unfortunately I've being focused on contributing to other blogs at both:
http://www.everydaycitizen.com/tatiana_mckinney/index. html
and
http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/u/kirbygirl87
Don't Miss Me Too Much! I will re-start my personal blog on January 1st, 2010. I will definitely try and keep it fresh and up-to-date.
I'm not sure which site will be the new place, so if you have any suggestions for a good place to start a new blog, let me know. Wordpress is okay, but doesn't allow me to do everything I want to do.
Any Ideas, please e-mail me at tatimckinney22@gmail.com
Thanks! Can't wait to Hit You With Fresh Stuff!
Tatiana
Friday, 23 October 2009
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Series: "Bill" to Restore Domestic Violence Funding, Is it a Band-
Hello Readers,
Happy Friday! I hope all of you are having a great time today and you have interesting things going on in your life thus far! I am glad that I've been able to spotlight Domestic Violence programs and stories so that someone that reads my blogs are helped or inspired to do more in the community. Today, I want to discuss a new bill that has everyone in California chatting, "Is it Just a Band-Aid?"
According to the Times-Standard (Eureka and California's northcoast), "After months of political bickering in the state Senate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Wednesday that will restore $16.3 million of state funding to support domestic violence shelters.
Image Credit: Photobucket "secretagentex"
Sounds Fair right?
The emergency legislation would restore funding to 94 domestic violence shelters and centers around California. But check this... The funding had previously been eliminated by Schwarzenegger as a line-item veto!
Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (HDVS) Executive Director Sharon Harper said the funding is welcome, but it's not a permanent solution. The restored funding only accounts for 80 percent of the funding from last year, with another 10 percent being used for the administrative cost to distribute the funds, she said.”This isn't a complete restoration,” Harper said. “It's a Band-Aid at this point because it's only good for this year.”
According to the Times Standard, "The emergency status of the bill will allow the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) to begin administering the funds immediately. CalEMA spokesman Jay Alan said the agency hopes to get the funding distributed quickly."”We're hoping to get funds to agencies within days and weeks, not weeks and months," he said."
The bill will be borrowing from a special gas tax fund for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. This Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Fund and will be paid back with interest by June 30, 2013.
When the governor cut the funding earlier this year, HDVS loss 40 percent of its funding, most of which went toward the nonprofit's safe house. HDVS had to lay off three full-time employees and has had to rely on more volunteers to maintain services.
WOW!
”We really can't hire back staff because we'd only be hiring them until June, and I think that's really cruel to a person,” Harper said. “We've trained some new volunteers. We're hoping they'll be able to fill in some of the gaps.”
Senate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acknowledges that are permanent solution is needed, but due to limited funds this is the solution as of now.
”I am proud to sign this bipartisan legislation that is good news for every Californian whose life is devastated by violence in the home and will help ensure domestic violence victims have a safe place to go,” he said in a statement from his office. “And I encourage the Legislature to continue looking for a permanent funding solution of this important program so domestic violence shelters aren't faced with the same uncertainty.”
State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, who originally authored and introduced the bill, said the cuts never should have happened in the first place.
”Until we eliminate domestic violence, funding for shelters should never be on the chopping block,” said Yee in a statement from his office. “While I am pleased that the governor finally helped restore this funding, I am still dismayed that he would put women and children at risk in the first place. It is unacceptable to force victims into a choice between homelessness and returning to their abuser.”
Harper said struggles over funding has just made it more difficult for HDVS to operate, and she hopes to garner a steady funding solution in the future. For now, the nonprofit is hoping the generosity of its community helps out.
”We're hoping to get together with some really creative-thinkers to come up with something, something that's sustainable,” she said.
My thoughts...
Hopefully many shelters, including the ones in California, will receive the funding they need to stay a float. It is saddening and frustrating to see many shelters and domestic violence resources cut due to lack of funding. As people, we should be concerned with the our citizens safety and try and find a way to help all the people in need. This problem, Domestic Violence, will not end, it will only get worse if we don't do something about it.For more information about the new "bill" dealing w/ Domestic Violence, click here.
What are your thoughts? -
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Series: If you'll Beat Your Animals, You'll Beat Your Wife!
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month I’ve decided to do a complete series both spotlighting programs that are doing a great job in bringing awareness and also shedding light on domestic violence in areas that are not usually discussed.
Today, I read an article about how animal cruelty can be in direct link to domestic violence.
Crazy huh?
According to The Dunn County News Online, ” Until recently, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse were considered unrelated to violence toward animals. However, a growing body of scholarship suggests that individuals who perpetrate acts of cruelty against animals rarely stop there. Animal abuse can be a warning sign of serious violent behavior in the future.The Bridge to Hope has served four victims of domestic violence who have witnessed the murders of their family pets in the last four weeks alone. The trend of animal abuse accompanying domestic violence adds to the terror of abuse.”
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), pets are part of the family in about 75 percent of American households. American Humane notes that more American households have pets than have children.
It’s interesting to see domestic violence and animal cruelty in correlation. People have an emotional tie to animals, just like humans are emotionally tied to one another. Statistics show that 70% of women who experience domestic violence, report witnessing the murder their household pets.
Victims and Animals are not the only one’s in jeporady when experiencing domestic violence, children witness a large amount of domestic abuse situations.
According to American Humane, children are present in the vast majority of houses where animals are present. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) reports that more than 80 percent of families being treated for child abuse were also involved in animal abuse. In about two-thirds of the cases, the abusive parent killed or injured the pet. In one-third of the cases, a child victim continued the cycle of violence by abusing a pet.
Why are animals being abused? How is that correlated with Domestic Abuse Against Humans?
Animals are seen as easy targets. They are vulnerable and trusting of their owners. As are women, when they become trusting and vulnerable to their partner. Abuse is about control.
According to The Dunn County News Online, “It’s more than that. Pets often serve as the only friend or valued relationship that a human victim has. Abusers recognize this, and target such pets to further emotionally devastate and isolate their human victims.”
Aware Helpline (Photo Credit)
What can we do as a society to stop abuse towards animals and women?
My thoughts…
Realizing signs is a major indicator of preventing domestic violence from occuring. Humane Society and Domestic Abuse Hotline have teamed up create lists that give “red flag” indicators that someone is on their way to be an abuser, both against animals and women.
For more information about the correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence, please click here.
For more information on the article about Wisconsin Increase in Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty, click here.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month Series: Liz Claiborne, Inc Launches over 6 Programs to Bring Awar
Hello Readers,
What an exciting month right? All these different organizations and corporate companies are taking a stand against domestic violence, I think it's incredible. One in particular has over 6 different programs that help young girls deal with domestic abuse. It encourages and empowers them to talk about it, learn about it, and help others get out of it.
Spotlighting: Liz Claiborne, Inc
Programs: Love is Not Abuse Curriculum, Love is Respect Video Contest, It's time to Talk, National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, and Technology and Teen Dating Abuse Survey!
Wow Right?
I am going to touch on every single project and give you a little information about each of them. I hope that you will support and even volunteer to help with any program that deals with domestic abuse this month. It is a touchy subject and one that needs to be addressed!
Love is Not Abuse Curriculum is a step-by-step guide to teaching high school students about teen dating violence. According to the Liz Claiborne, Inc, "Using literature and poetry, this program provides teachers with the tools to teach about this sensitive subject and is intended to be taught in either Health or English/Language Arts classes"
Liz Claiborne would like for the curriculum to be distributed across the country to educate many young teenagers about the issue as possible. They have teamed up with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. (FCCLA), a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for young men and women in family and consumer sciences education in public and private schools through grade 12, and other partners, over 1,400 schools across 50 states and the District of Columbia will have taught the curriculum by February 2009.
The New Curriculum includes loveisrespect.org, The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline.
For a list of schools that provide the curriculum, click here.
To request a copy of the curriculum, click here.
To learn more about the Love is Not Abuse Program, please e-mail: loveisnotabuse@liz.comLOVE IS RESPECT VIDEO CONTEST:Loveisrespect.org, The National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline in partnership with Liz Claiborne sponsored a "Love is Respect" Video Contest, based on the "Teen Dating Bill of Rights" theme, "Love is Respect", which offered a provacative way of teens to express their feelings on domestic violence in a creative way.This contest took place in December to raise awareness of teen dating abuse.
The Winner was Ashley Hoyle of Kansas. (Picutred with Tim Gunn, Jaslene Gonzales, and Sheryl Cates, CEO OF National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline)
Image Credit: Liz Claiborne, Inc "Love is Respect'" Video Contest
To watch her video, click here.
For more information about the Loveisrespect.org "Video Contest", please click here
Liz Claiborne, Inc and it's partners joined forces on December 2, 2008 for "It's Time to Talk Day" to create a greater diaglogue about domestic Violence. According to Liz Claiborne, Inc, " Around the country, talk radio, government officials, domestic violence advocates, businesses, schools and the public-at-large will take a moment - or more - to talk openly about an issue that affects nearly one in three women at some point in their lifetime. In fact, millions of talk radio listeners around the country were reached with the message since the inception of It’s Time To Talk Day in 2004.
Here are Some Great Ideas From Liz Claiborne, Inc website:
Take a moment to talk about domestic violence:- At work, ask your employer to address this issue and help employees who are in need by putting domestic violence hotline numbers in common spaces (i.e. lunch rooms, bathrooms, bulletin boards).
- Ask at your local school to see if the issue of dating violence is being addressed and urge them to adopt the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum to prevent teen dating violence.
- Contact your local domestic violence organization to find out what they need – beyond money, they might need household goods, toys, cloths and other things you might be able to provide.
Watch the PSA's here.
My thoughts.....
For more information about their amazing programs, please visit here
What do you think? -
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Series: DoSomething.org "Teen Dating Abuse" Campaign
Hello Readers,
This month of Domestic Violence Awareness has brought up some amazing campaigns that I've been able to share with all of you!
Spotlighting: DoSomething.org in partnership with Liz Claiborne, Inc.
Program: Teen Dating Abuse
Today, we are spotlighting a organization that is not new on fighting causes. DoSomething.org, is an organization for young adults that believes you have the power to make a difference. It is their aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of doers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month DoSomething.org has teamed up with Liz Claiborne, Inc to give the power back to young girls in abusive relationships.
Last Spring, DoSomething.org launched a 1in3 initiative to fight teen dating abuse. They surveyed everyone who visited their site and found out that students really care about "Fighting Domestic Abuse, especially for young teens who are in those types of relationships, whether it be emotional, physical, verbal, mental, and digital abuse, all of which, need to stop!
With this partnership Both Liz Claiborne, Inc and DoSomething.org decided to fund projects that young people have put on in honor of Domestic Violence.
So, here is the cool part.....
You Can Recieve $250.00 grants for your project related to Domestic Violence.
Grant Details:
How much? 10 $250 Grants
Deadline to apply: November 15th
Types of projects this grant funds: Projects started by young people that are fighting teen dating abuse. Special consideration will be given to projects that include an event on December 3, 2009 or culminate in some way on that day.
APPLY HERE
For information on the Steps to Apply, click here.
Listen to Jaslene Gonzales PSA, Winner of America's Next Top Model, Struggle w/ Domestic Abuse as a Teen, click here.
My thoughts....
I hope that all of you will either apply or pass this great opportunity on to friends, familys, and victims of Domestic Abuse. Someone out there needs your help and your story, if you've struggled with Domestic Abuse. Please Support Both DoSomething.org and Liz Claiborne, Inc as they bring power back to young teens facing these sort of situations.
Do Something! :)
What do you think?
changeyoucanbelievein22
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- Member Since: 4/27/2009
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