January 29, 2013 • Page 16 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Introducing Desiree Warren-Johnson Desiree Warren-Johnson is a native of Yankton, who graduated from Yankton High School in 2002. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from University of South Dakota/ Upper Iowa University. Before graduating she was given an opportunity to complete a service learning project at the Yankton Women’s/Children’s Center. It was during that time at the YWCC she discovered her career passionprotecting the rights of vulnerable people and helping victims of violence to heal. Desiree started as a part-time advocate with the Yankton Women’s/Children’s Center in 2008. Later that year she became a fulltime advocate/finance administrator. In 2009, Desiree became the Executive Director of the YWCC. Over the years, she has watched as this community has actively gotten involved in the Mission of the Yankton Women’s/Children’s Center; which is to provide immediate shelter for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The shelter strives to prevent incidents of abuse through community partnerships and education. Countless individuals have stepped up to be a part of the solution to end violence in our community- Yankton should take pride in that! At the YWCC our advocates are passionate about the mission we serve. Every day is about the fight against domestic violence in our community. The rate of DV in our community can sometimes be difficult to determine because 12 percent of women victims never tell others about the abuse occurring in the home. In 2012, the YWCC had a 62% increase in shelter nights. Seventysix individuals were benefited by the shelter program with a total of 1437 shelter nights, while 132 individuals utilized victim support services in 2012. Advocates are urging victims to speak up and reach out for help. If you witness domestic/family violence, we strongly encourage you to report it - we encourage people to be safe, but that does not mean ignoring the problem if you see it happening. When you reach out to help a person struggling with violence in the home… you never know how many lives you may be saving. There may be children that need protection as well. The average victim will be physically assaulted 70 times before they notify the police they need assistance. The average victim will also leave their abuser 7 times before they leave for good. What we know about domestic/family violence is the threat of danger increases through time… eventually there will be a tragedy if something is not done. If you know someone struggling with violence in the home: • Help the victim to realize they may be in serious danger • If a victim confides in you, listen actively and provide non- judgmental support. • Encourage the victims to contact Law Enforcement • Encourage the victim to contact Domestic Violence Advocacy Services. • Remind the victim that he/she is not to blame • If you feel their life is in danger, don’t keep it a secret… contact law enforcement. The advocates at the YWCC work daily to serve victims in our community and surrounding areas by providing non-judgmental, compassionate and confidential services for victims. The YWCC offers immediate shelter to victims in imminent danger, a 24 hour crisis line, crisis counseling, safety planning, assistance with obtaining a protection order, court advocacy, sexual assault advocacy, assistance with completing Victims of Crime Compensation, weekly support group, and educational efforts to end violence in our community. One of many prevention programs the YWCC offers in Yankton and several other communities is “Love Doesn’t Hurt”. The Yankton Women's & Children's Center has been providing the Love Doesn't Hurt presentation to area 5th graders for seven years. It is a presentation that focuses on an antibullying message. The students learn about respect in relationships and discuss ways of resolving conflict. They listen to an advocate explain a safety plan, and the presentation concludes with students sharing about family fun in their homes. At the conclusion of the program, the students are invited to participate in a drawing contest. The winners of the contest will receive cash prizes donated by area banks. In 2012, nearly 400 fifth graders in twenty-one classrooms heard this message in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month in October. Two years ago, a team was formed (Sexual Assault Response Team/Community Response Team). Initially, the team was formed to educate and to network among all the disciplines that work with victims; however, this team has advanced into so much more. Strong working relationships among team members have been built to help ensure the success of people struggling with abuse here in Yankton. The team works together to help see the victim through the path to survival from start to finish. Yankton is one of seven communities in the state that have an operating interdisciplinary team. The SART is also responsible for bringing the Maryland Lethality Assessment to the community of Yankton. Yankton is one of 13 communities in the nation that have trained advocates and first responders that administer a 14 question assessment to determine how fatal a victims circumstances have become. The numbers at the YWCC have reached an all time record high, though numbers are rapidly increasing funding sources are not. Therefore, YWCC is currently working on an exciting Dinner Theatre Event to help financially sustain the ever growing services the agency provides daily. The Dinner Theatre will be a hilarious mystery comedy in which the audience will help solve. Other fun activities to expect that evening are: a delicious desert auction, card drawing for a wine library, live music, a silent auction and a live auction. The dinner will be a tasty steak dinner with roasted potatoes and green beans. This event is sure to be an exciting Valentine’s Day date. The YWCC is seeking the help of those right here at home to maintain the invaluable services the YWCC provides to our community. This fundraising event is giving members of our community a fun opportunity to come out and learn about the YWCC and help financially support the mission. To purchase tickets, please, call the YWCC at 605-6654811. Domestic Violence has NO boundaries. 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