WCA April eNewsletter

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Sexual Assault Awareness Month has just drawn to a close and we'd like to thank those who participated in events and helped spread awareness of this difficult issue.  On Wednesday, April 27th, the WCA hosted a sexual assault community response panel. With a full room, panelists and audience members discussed the reality of sexual assault in Omaha, the problem of rape culture, and prevention possibilities. We are thankful to our community partners who served on the panel, including: Methodist SANE, Men Against Domestic Violence, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha Police Department, and WOWT-NBC Omaha. The WCA also participated in different events around the city creating more awareness of resources available for survivors of sexual assault. To see more of our April activities follow the links below:   Tuesday, April 12th - Twitter Chat The WCA, Methodist Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) team members & other organizations serving survivors in the area discussed sexual assault on Twitter. Click here to see event coverage.   Thursday, April 21st - Take Back the Night Creighton Students joined hands to Take Back the Night in an effort to raise awareness about sexual assault on campus. Click here to see event coverage.

Tribute to Women Join us as we honor nine outstanding women at this year's Tribute to Women Luncheon, taking place on Tuesday, June 7th at the Hilton Omaha Downtown.Invite your friends and click here to reserve your seat today!    2016 Tribute to Women Honorees Anne Boyle Jody Carstens Shonna Dorsey Suzanne Haney, MD Julie S. Hefflinger Sister Margaret Hickey, ND Brigitte McQueen-Shew Gina M. Tomes Dana Washington Interested in sponsorship opportunities or purchasing a table? Contact Josh at JoshC@wcaomaha.org or 402-345-6555 x230

WCA Staff Member Receives Accreditation The WCA is proud to announce that Guadalupe Rivera has been fully accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals, doubling the agency's capacity to serve undocumented victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.    Rivera is now able to represent WCA clients before Immigration Judges, DHS and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Thank You to Askarben Cinema! During the month of March, Aksarben Cinema collected donations on behalf of the WCA, raising nearly $1,500 for our programs and services!  The WCA is grateful for the generosity of community partners like Aksarben Cinema.

WCA Legal Clinic Due to the increasing number of clients seeking legal assistance, the WCA has re-instituted its free legal clinic to assist clients seeking a divorce, but who do not require full representation. The legal clinic started up again on April 1st and is scheduled for its second session on May 6th. Volunteer attorneys assist clients in completing the divorce forms so that clients are able to represent themselves in court.  WCA client attorneys are available to assist with follow-up questions.

Omaha Gives! It's almost that time again - Omaha Gives! Mark your calendars now for May 25th. Support the WCA in this city-wide 24-hour online giving event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation.   New this year: Set up a personal fundraising campaign to benefit the WCA!  Click here for more information.   Worried you'll forget to give on the 25th? Starting May 1st, you can schedule your automatic donation to the WCA in advance.  To learn more about Omaha Gives click here.

Thank You to WCA Partners Guild! The WCA Partners Guild treated the WCA staff to a special week of pampering. From cookies and cake to lunch, coffee bars and more goodies, the staff appreciates the support of the Partners Guild.

You can help support WCA today! Click here to donate now.

WCA April 2016 Volunteer Newsletter

 

 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

 

VOLUNTEER NEWS April 2016   April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Help us create a better informed community by debunking the myths and sharing facts. More information & statistics can be found by clicking here. If you have any questions, or would like to have a training at your workplace, please email Sara. Get Involved:  Sexual Assault Awareness Month Facebook Profile Picture Add a teal ribbon to your facebook profile picture to show support.  Host a Lunch & Learn Do you belong to an organization that brings in speakers over lunch or other meeting times? Our team would be happy to speak to your group about Sexual Assault and other topics! Contact us today to schedule. Go Teal - Friday, April 8 Join the WCA and the WoodmenLife Tower as we go teal in support of survivors of sexual assault. Don't forget to share your pictures! Twitter Chat - Tuesday, April 12 Join the WCA, Methodist Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner team members & other organizations serving survivors as we talk online about sexual assault. Chat begins at noon and is moderated by @MethodistHealth. Take Back the Night - Thursday, April 21 Creighton Students will join hands to Take Back the Night in an effort to raise awareness about sexual assault on campus. Check here for more details. "It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent." -Madeleine Albright EVENTS & TRAINING Tuesday, April 12 5:30-8:30 New Volunteer Orientation RSVP Sexual Assault Community Response Panel - Wednesday, April 28 The WCA is excited to host a panel discussion about how our community responds to sexual assaults. Representatives from Methodist SANE team, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha Police Department, WCA and Men Against Violence will be present. Questions? REMINDERS Self-Care: take a break & take care of yourself Remember to sign out of the volunteer binder as well! We need to know the length of time to record it. Join our WCA Volunteers Facebook group for more pictures, updates and event reminders! VOLUNTEER REPORT February Volunteer Hours: 422.5 March Volunteer Hours: 435.5 Goal for April: 450 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Maurice Volunteer Position: Hotline Volunteer Since: 2006 Job: Compensation Analyst in Human Resources at Boys Town Hobbies: Cooking, running and weight training Favorite Teams: Arkansas Razorbacks & Dallas Cowboys Fun Fact: Have visited 26 countries and have been married 32 years Why I Started Volunteering: Learned about the hotline while training for the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response program at Offutt AFB What I've Learned: Volunteering can bring out skills you may not have known you had WCA VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION Some of the amazing volunteers that making our space helped paint our offices. Thanks to all for  fresh and inviting! Pauline, Ann, Ta'wanna, Jen, Michael and Jacob at New Volunteer Orientation. We're excited to have you join our volunteer team!

Teal is the New Black

Sexual Assault Awareness Month April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and agencies across the nation, including the WCA, will aim to create increased awareness ofsexual violence while we continue to work hard to serve victims of this crime. Weinvite you to join us in these efforts.  Facebook Profile Picture Add a teal ribbon to your facebook profile picture to show support of survivors of sexual assault. Click here to update your profile now!  Instagram 30-Day Challenge Are you up for the challenge? Check out the 30-day Instagram challenge to create awareness and show support of survivors. Click here to download the challenge. Host a Lunch & Learn Do you belong to an organization that brings in speakers over lunch, or other meeting times? Our team would be happy to speak to your group about Sexual Assault Awareness Month topics. Contact us today to schedule. Friday, April 8th - Go Teal! Join the WCA and the WoodmenLife Tower as we go teal in support of survivors of sexual assault. Don't forget to share your pictures! Tuesday, April 12th - Twitter Chat Join the WCA, Methodist Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) team members & other organizations in the area serving survivors as we talk online about sexual assault. Chat begins at noon and is moderated by @MethodistHealth. Thursday, April 21st - Take Back the Night Creighton Students will join hands to Take Back the Night in an effort to raise awareness about sexual assault on campus. For more information about this event, please click here. Wednesday, April 28th -Sexual Assault Community Reponse Panel The WCA is excited to host a short presentation and panel discussion about how our community responds to sexual assaults. Representatives from Methodist SANE team, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha Police Department, WCA and Men Against Violence will be present. We hope you can join us. Check out our website for more details to come!

Tribute to Women We are thrilled to honor nine outstanding women at this year's Tribute to Women Luncheon taking place on Tuesday, June 7th at the Hilton Downtown Omaha.  To learn more about the event or sponsorship opportunities please click here. 2016 Tribute to Women Honorees Anne Boyle Jody Carstens Shonna Dorsey Suzanne Haney, MD Julie S. Hefflinger Sister Margaret Hickey, ND Brigitte McQueen-Shew Gina M. Tomes Dana Washington

WCA & Mexican Cosulate In a continued effort to better serve clients, the WCA has been working collaboratively with the Mexican Consulate in Omaha. WCA staff members haveworked closely with Consulate staff members to help ensure more effective referrals.    The WCA has also partnered with the Mexican Consulate in community presentatations about resources available to the Hispanic community.

WCA Staff Receive National Training Several staff members from the WCA and surrounding agencies in Nebraska & Iowa attended the End Violence Against Women International Conference in Washington D.C. in March. The conference was an opportunity for our service providers to learn more in depth about promising practices and emerging issues in sexual assault and domestic violence.

Mark Your Calendars! It's almost that time again - Omaha Gives! Mark your calendars now for May 25th. Support the WCA in the city-wide 24-hour online giving event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation. The minimum donation is $10 and there is no maximum. To learn more about Omaha Gives click here.

You can help support WCA today! Click here to donate now.