Jenspiration
Phoenix Project reminds us that Giving Tuesday is coming up December 1st
It’s no understatement to say that 2020 has been a year of tremendous difficulty. A global pandemic, massive unemployment, and civil unrest are just some of the disturbing headlines that have bombarded us throughout the year. But these societal problems are only the tip of the iceberg for some in our local community. For victims of domestic violence and abuse, being stuck at home is dangerous – even life-threatening. While most of us bemoan the inconveniences of social distancing or mask wearing, these victims may feel more isolated than ever. They just want to survive.
Those who suffer domestic abuse often suffer in silence. But for those who finally find the courage to reach out, there is help. The Phoenix Project is Warren County’s domestic violence agency serving the Front Royal and Warren County areas. We work to provide options for men, women and children who are victims of abuse and afraid to stay in their homes. When we get a call from someone who is undergoing abuse, we give them a lifeline to get them out of immediate danger, and we offer services that will help them plan for the future.
The goal of Phoenix Project is to interrupt and break the cycle of abuse. Our requests for services in Front Royal and Warren County continue to increase, especially during these difficult times. From March to October in 2019, there were 456 hotline calls. In 2020 that number jumped to 1104 – yes, it almost tripled! Every one of these calls represents a real person. Abuse does not discriminate against age, gender or status. Every abused child is someone’s daughter, or someone’s son. It could be a wife, husband, or a friend or neighbor – a person, who is embarrassed and afraid, or who feels like they do not have any options.
The volunteers of Phoenix Project are available, even late into the night, to help when someone is in need. We are there to listen, offer guidance, and provide reassurance that they are not alone. Being able to simply rest in a safe place helps an abused person so much, so they can focus on their next steps. But we can’t provide all these abuse victims’ needs without your help.
Consider the cost of providing a safe place:
- $50.00 – Your donation of $50.00 allows a family of 4 to purchase food.
- $75.00 – Your donation of $75.00 can pay for a victim/survivor to have the utilities changed from the abuser’s name to their own.
- $100.00 – Your donation of $100.00 can provide safe housing for a family of 4 and a pet for 1 night.
- $200.00 – Your donation of $200.00 can provide 40 minutes of translation services to the victim/survivor.
- $350.00 – Your donation of $350.00 can provide the victim/survivor a consultation with an attorney.
- $500.00 – Your donation of $500.00 can help a victim/survivor with a car payment or repairs so that they may be able to work while the abuser is in jail.
- $750.00 – Your donation of $750.00 can help a victim/survivor with rent so that they may be able to remain in their home while the abuser is in jail.
- $1000.00 – Your donation of $1000.00 can help a victim with new housing, including rent and home security & utility deposits, providing an avenue for moving forward to safety.
Based on the numbers above, the services we provide are desperately needed in our community. But we cannot do this without your help! John F. Kennedy once said, “If not us, then who?” What would it mean to our community if we were not here?
Will you consider joining the Purple Ribbon Club to help someone in a violent situation?
- Become a Hero with a gift of $1200
- Partner with a gift of $600
- Advocate with a gift of $300
- Supporter with a gift of $120
Or, you may also make a one-time donation in someone’s honor, a gift of remembrance, or a Christmas gift. We are their voice, for those who have no voice, or live in fear of speaking up….We are a voice in the community, a voice to be heard. We are Phoenix Project. Please consider giving a donation to Phoenix Project. Partner with us to help stop domestic violence.
Kind regards,
Tana Hoffman, President
Board of Directors
Phoenix Project
Jenspiration
House of Hope continues to serve thanks to community support
The House of Hope continues to serve our local homeless men even through the pandemic, currently at 76% capacity. We are so proud to announce the House itself has experienced a series of improvements. We are so thankful for the community support and volunteer efforts that have grown throughout the past several months.
HOUSE
The home now has brand new wood flooring! It looks absolutely amazing. The men also now have a new door installed in the shower stall/bathroom space. If you look at the before and after pictures you will see how necessary these improvements were. Drywall work, kitchen storage solutions and paint, have created a much cozier vibe in the House of Hope.
GRADUATE
Recently, there has been new community support helping a House of Hope graduate set up his new apartment space. The search started on Facebook looking for just a microwave and day bed. The donations grew resulting in linens, special basket of household necessities, blanket, very generous Walmart gift card, pots & pans, Dutch oven, huge box of food, futon, and TV. The donations were made by EVERYONE in the community including churches, businesses, and individuals.
A Special Note: As we have been helping find donations for his apartment, our House of Hope graduate has been thinking about how he might be able to help two other gentlemen in need. The ripple effect. Isn’t this what we want to see in this world these days? Those who have been helped now helping others.
As you read this article, is the House of Hope new to you? Wondering what is the House of Hope? Well….
The House of Hope is a program we have available in Warren County for local homeless men. The program requires the men to be ready to make a permanent change to get back on their feet. The House is a place they can live while saving money, creating a budget, learning new life skills, and more! The men live together very much like how a family would operate. During the day the men are out at work. There are volunteers who help organize house chores, cook meals, organize donations, and work with the Executive Director.
What happens AFTER the gentlemen graduate? It became obvious that the community was very interested in donating to help set up new independent living space for graduates. Jennifer Avery will help continue this enthusiasm and momentum. Watch for future donation requests as more graduates prepare for independent housing. We have storage space! If other non profits discover a need for household items as they transition their own participants into independent living, let’s talk!
Jennifer Avery
540-683-0790
jenaveryrealtor@gmail.com
Jenspiration
The community reads to our children – Jen
Phoenix Project has started a new program. The community is invited to prerecord a book reading and submit to the Phoenix Project to be used as a social media post each Friday!
For those who might need a little extra technical help, please feel free to reach out to the Phoenix Project directly, or Jen Avery (540-683-0790 or jenspirationmarketing@gmail.com) who has volunteered her assistance in capturing your video and submitting on your behalf.
Week 4: Jen reads “You’re Here For a Reason” by Nancy Tillmany
Jenspiration
The community reads to our children – Nina Huck
Phoenix Project has started a new program. The community is invited to prerecord a book reading and submit to the Phoenix Project to be used as a social media post each Friday!
For those who might need a little extra technical help, please feel free to reach out to the Phoenix Project directly or Jen Avery (540-683-0790 or jenspirationmarketing@gmail.com) who has volunteered her assistance in capturing your video and submitting on your behalf.
Week 4: Nina Huck reads The Cajun Night Before Christmas by Trosclair
www.phoenix-project.org
Office: 540-635-2302
HOTLINE: 540-635-2300 — The hotline is answered 24/7
Jenspiration
The community reads to our children – Officer Bradley Pennington
Phoenix Project has started a new program. The community is invited to prerecord a book reading and submit to the Phoenix Project to be used as a social media post each Friday!
For those who might need a little extra technical help, please feel free to reach out to the Phoenix Project directly or Jen Avery (540-683-0790 or jenspirationmarketing@gmail.com) who has volunteered her assistance in capturing your video and submitting on your behalf.
Week 3: Officer Bradley Pennington reads The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak
Jenspiration
The community reads to our children!
Phoenix Project has started a new program on Fridays! Child Advocate Beth McChesney has invited community members to read a book to the children of the families they serve. The community is invited to prerecord a book reading and submit to the Phoenix Project to be used as a social media post each Friday!
Beth comments, “We know it has been especially hard on the children and we wanted to gather the community and give back. We thought this would be a simple task that anyone in the community who wanted to could participate in. When we made the post about it, I had several people reach out wanting to read and give back. By sharing these stories with everyone, we hope we can bring awareness and provide something for the kids to look forward to on Fridays.”
For those who might need a little extra technical help, please feel free to reach out to the Phoenix Project directly, or Jen Avery (540-683-0790 or jenspirationmarketing@gmail.com) who has volunteered her assistance in capturing your video and submitting on your behalf.
Enjoy the first two books that were read in the videos connected to this article. More to come!
Week 1: Tim Strakbein reads There’s a Bear in My Chair by Ross Collins
Week 2: Jen Avery reads David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon
Contact info for Beth:
Beth McChesney
Child Advocate
Phoenix Project
www.phoenix-project.org
Hotline: 540-635-2300
Office: 540-635-2303
Jenspiration
Senior Living – A card can mean everything!
During this holiday season, the Rotary Club of Warren County would like to remind you to consider writing cards to local senior living facilities. Folks are feeling extra alone because of the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. It might be nice to include a message wishing all the residents a wonderful day. It is even more important to send a card or message since residents are not getting their usual communication.
The 3 & 4-year-old classes at Grasshopper Green Preschool in Strasburg also colored pictures for the residents of the memory care units at Hidden Springs and other area nursing homes.
Kristen Tulallah and Josh Pence prepare drawings to send to the nursing homes. Kristen and her family sent 68 Christmas cards to Hidden Springs Senior Living in Bentonville.
Let’s help connect our whole community and bring a sense of joy through the little things! Even after the holiday passes, birthday wishes are always needed as well.
A motivating fact:
Senior living facilities reported that ½ to ¾ of the residents do not receive cards or mail (the exception was Hidden Spring with all receiving something). Total of all residents: 469.
Address to: “Any Resident.”
- Hidden Springs Senior Living, 973 Buck Mountain Road Bentonville, VA 22610
- Heritage Hall Nursing Home, 400 W. Strasburg Road Front Royal, VA 22630
- Shenandoah Senior Living, 103 Lee Burke Road Front Royal, VA 22630
- Lynn Care Center, 1000 N. Shenandoah Ave. Front Royal, VA 22630
- Fox Trail Senior Living, 106 Westminster Drive Front Royal, VA 22630
- Royal Haven Inc., 201 West Criser Road Front Royal, VA 22630
This is the breakdown of numbers as of December 2:
- Hidden Springs – 68
- Lynn Care – 90
- Commonwealth Senior Living – 80
- Heritage Hall -30
- Fox Trail – 30
- Shenandoah Senior Living – 32
- Woods Cove (formerly Royal Haven) – 38
- Skyview Springs (Luray) – 101
Special thank you and recognition to our Rotarians: Hidden Springs 68 – Kristen Pence & family; Lynn Care 100 – Carol, Melanie B, Debbie; Commonwealth Senior Living 80 – Mari Jo, Hank & Barbara; Heritage Hall 30 – Ellen & Kahle; Fox Trail 30 – Ellen & Kahle; Shenandoah Senior Living 32 – Michael; Woods Cove 38 – Peggy; Skyview Springs in Luray 101 – Melanie H.
