Dove, Inc.

I always get excited about working on the Christmas Baskets Program in late summer and early fall. There’s a lot to be excited about this year, including our new partnership with Toys For Tots. I’m also excited to be working with several new schools and agencies in Macon County, including Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center, Meridian Elementary School, Richland Community College, St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Warrensburg Elementary. When you have a goal of serving up to 3000 children, you have to make some new connections and come up with new ways of doing things. The other thing we’re doing this year that we haven’t before is having our Christmas Baskets Team take public applications. The way this works is that we set up in our conference room downstairs at Dove, Inc., and spend the day signing people up who walk in for an application. On Thursday, November 14 , from 8:30 – noon, and 1 – 5 pm and 6 – 8 pm anyone in Macon County who’s in need of a basket can come by, sho...

Registration Open Through Noon on August 28! There is still time to register for this wonderful event!!!  Don’t miss this opportunity to hear what these 2 dynamic speakers, Kit Gruelle and Mark Wynn, both nationally recognized advocates for victims of domestic violence, will be sharing with us in our Journey to Justice!!  Kit is a survivor of domestic violence and has worked in the field as an advocate for nearly 30 years, training scores of advocates, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, health care providers, clergy and others on the effects domestic violence has on each and every one of us in our world today.  Mark is a retired Lt. of Nashville Metropolitan Police Department and travels the country on a mission to change society’s response to crimes against adult and child victims of domestic violence. He is a national expert on child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault and has received 121 commendations and 51 awards and certificates.  Mark rel...

The Children’s Rap Session is a part of Dove, Inc.’s Homeward Bound program and provides homeless and formerly homeless youth (age seven and up) the chance to partake in a positive and structured learning environment—discussing topics such as safety, peer pressure, problem solving, goal setting, critical thinking, self-esteem, life skills, as well as an opportunity to express their feelings. With each session, the children watch a video, have a discussion, and/or complete an activity that addresses that session’s topic. Daciena Simmons is the Children’s Specialist for Homeward Bound and she not only leads these weekly sessions, but also provides one-on-one services to the children in the program, offering family counseling (intervention as needed) and is an advocate for Homeward Bound children within the school system, too. Currently, Daciena is in need of supplies to go along with her weekly lesson plans for the Rap Sessions. The following items needed are: Pencils, Paper, Paint, P...

Giving to the Next Generation sharing from ACL.gov   From self-expression to self-direction, there are countless ways for older adults to stay engaged and give back to others at the same time. Some of the most rewarding ways to express yourself and contribute to your community involve passing on experiences, wisdom, and skills to the generations that follow.   Everyone has something to share, and these ideas can help get you started.   Mentor. Use professional or personal experiences to guide a child, young adult, or even a peer. Example: Visit Senior Corps at nationalservice.gov to learn about becoming a foster grandparent.   Volunteer. Put skills to use while giving back to your community. Example: Sign up to collect food/clothing donations, serve meals at a local soup kitchen, or help older friends with daily tasks at home such as paying bills.   Teach. Impart expertise via formal or informal education and tutoring o...

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 7th through the 13th.  This is a great time to thank the volunteers you encounter in the community or the ones who work along side of you at your agency, church, or community event.  Please be sure to thank volunteers for  their service and dedication to our communities. Dove has its roots in volunteering, beginning in 1970 as a place for members of congregations to put their faith into action and to make intentional friendships with others in their community.  Today, as then, programs thrive and services are extended by the care and talents shown of our volunteers.  Please check our website if you'd like to volunteer at Dove. Most volunteers feel they get far more from their volunteer opportunity than they give.  Put your time and talent to good use and VOLUNTEER!

In April of 2018, it was very exciting to announce that the MAX program, Macon County Assistance eXchange would soon offering more program hours for those seeking emergency assistance.  Now, a year later, it is good to announce that new sites have been in place for the year and there are more opportunities for people to get help. Decatur First United Methodist Church is the cornerstone location for the program at 201 W. North St., Decatur.  Our sincere thanks to DFUMC for their faithfulness to this program. MAX Sites - Spring Hours Decatur First United Methodist Church, 201 W. North, Decatur / Monday - Thursday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Dove Clinton Office, 803 W. Leander, / Tuesday Mornings, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Homeward Bound Offices, 788 E. Clay / 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The Good Samaritan Inn, 920 N. Union Street, Decatur / 2nd and 4th Fridays of e...

Dove, Inc. Domestic Violence Program was extremely blessed to get a donation of teddy bears from the Decatur Youth Hockey League and the Decatur Blaze.  This collection of toys is more than just some stuffed animals, but represent a piece of joy in the midst of heart ache, confusion, and unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place for children coming from abusive households.  The fact that a group of young men would take the time to not only collect the items, using their podium in life to make a stand against domestic violence, but would also take the time to come out in their free time and hand deliver them says a lot about the hope that rests with our future.  That very night a young princess received a little princess bear whose shiny little dress practically matched the one she wore as she skipped around the shelter in excitement.  That very night a boy who was learning that it was now safe enough to finally talk about what life with his dad was really like rec...

Dove is blessed to have many Volunteers join us in our programs and the work we do.  We would like to take a moment to highlight a few of our amazing volunteers within the Domestic Violence Program, and some of the milestones that were reached in November, 2018.   Lesley Dowell (R) is a dedicated volunteer who is always around when we need her. She has recently dedicated herself to assisting with the legal advocates, be it helping with Orders of Protection or attending court hearings with our survivors to help support and advocate for them. Lesley also is a volunteer who doesn’t hesitate to help cover the shelter when needed. It is my pleasure to share that Lesley has reached her second milestone and surpassed 100 hours of volunteer service within our program. Thanks Lesley for all you do! Janet Broderick, (L), is one of our hardest working volunteers as well. Janet has filled a number of amazing roles, using her extensive backgrounds and trainings to make ...

Military Coupons for Overseas Military Families Since 2012 Dove’s RSVP has been encouraging volunteers and community members to collect manufactured coupons and send them to military families serving overseas. Families overseas do not have access to manufactured coupons, but if someone sends coupons to them, they can use them up to six months past their expiration date. Since becoming the RSVP Director in 2013, we have continued this program and expanded it to what we see today. When I look at how beneficial this program is to military families, I wanted to be sure it could continue. The RSVP Advisory Council were on board to do whatever it would take to maintain including reaching into their own pockets to ensure shipping costs were covered for each box.   I am happy to announce that due to volunteers, churches, and community members in December 2018 we reached our 2 MILLION coupon goal. That’s right with your help, and the generosity of financial donors paying the ship...

Financial support is always needed to keep the doors open, keep services offered and to keep our strong outreach to the community. Below are 19 other ideas join with Dove in 2019! Items drives for the clients of the Domestic Violence Program and Homeward Bound Program - check out current lists in the DoveTales Newsletter and on the website Food drive for the pantry in Clinton Check the projects page on the website to tackle a hands-on need at one of Dove’s facilities Become a RSVP Volunteer to put your time and talents of a lifetime to good use in one of more than 80 social service agencies, must be 55+ years of age - enrollment form on the website Collect manufacturer’s coupons to ship overseas for our military families Watch for fundraisers and attend when you can and encourage other to participate Encourage clothing donations to the Children’s Clothing Room, inside of Prairie Avenue Christian Church and share that resource to families in need Encourage financia...