Dove, Inc.

Earlier in April, I had the opportunity to participate in a prayer vigil sponsored by HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital here in Shelbyville.   As I stood in the crisp, bright sunlight waiting for my turn to speak, I heard the testimony of a brave woman as she spoke to the audience assembled about the abuse she suffered in her childhood.   Her story was riveting, her bravery was amazing and the end of her story was happy as she spoke of the people who had been there for her and for her abusive parent.   She and her family have a healthy, close relationship now and she raised her kids in a completely different atmosphere.   These results are possible when people care and when the cycle of abuse is broken and healthier behaviors are put in place. Abuse is a learned behavior.   It is not caused by anger, by alcohol or by drugs, but these intoxicating substances can certainly heighten its severity.   Children and animals are sometimes the “collateral damage” of...

This week we have been celebrating National Volunteer Week. April 15-21 has been a time to honor not only our RSVP Volunteers but all volunteers in our communities. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was blessed with help from Thrivent Financial grant through Dave Hinkle to help us give generously to others this week. Staff got to deliver pizza lunches for some dedicated volunteers throughout our community. We even had the opportunity to share more about Thrivent Financial by giving T-shirts to random volunteers and thanking them for lending their time, talents, and voices that help to make a big difference in our community.   In addition to pizza delivery RSVP staff were honored to attend the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards on April 18th where we watched as one of our very own RSVP volunteers Alice Bray received the East Central Illinois Volunteer Service Award in the Senior Corps category for her hard work and dedication to Dove’s Children’s Clothing Room. ...

In light of our upcoming Domestic Violence Education and Volunteer Training, I am reminded of the impact education and awareness has in our community.   Domestic Violence is such a wide spread issue in our world, and right here in our own community, and yet somehow it still manages to fly under the radar of public perception.   We interact with abusers and victims on a regular basis in our everyday lives.   We work with them, go to school with them, attend church with them, pass them in the grocery store, and even use the treadmill next to them in the gym (when I go to the gym that is.) The world is full of wonderful, compassionate, well-meaning people who have absolutely no idea how much injustice surrounds them on a regular basis.   In fact, it’s not a bad presumption to assume that most people in this world are only a degree or two separated from someone who is currently in a domestic violence situation.   The reality is, this evil hides in plain sigh...

Results from the 2018 Point-in-Time survey were released at Thursdays' Community Breakfast.  It was great to see so many who made time in their schedules to be there and to be up to date on some of the homelessness statistics for Macon County.    Each January, the Macon County Continuum of Care conducts a 24-hour survey to seek the most up to date numbers on homelessness in Macon County.  The results of that survey  for 2018, were released at the 2018 Community Breakfast on March 22, 2018.  Please check our website for the complete results:  www.doveinc.org (And for the past 11 years reports.)   But a few highlights shared at that breakfast not showing up on the report: people from various agencies are already working to reach out to those who are homeless with an individualized effort of help never give up, you don't know which time someone is approached by a caring concerned staff that the person will be ready for a differe...

Spring is coming… time of rebirth in nature...flowers coming up, grass becoming green again, leaves sprouting on all our trees and bushes. It is a customary time to think of spring cleaning in our homes and offices. But how about some sprucing up for ourselves? If you, or someone you know, have unresolved issues regarding family abuse, this is a great time to "clean house" and find a new outlook on life. Issues we don’t deal with can become bigger and darker over the years. Our program here in Shelby County, as in all our counties, is free and completely confidential. We are here for both individual and group counseling for adults and for children. We would be happy to meet with you to talk about your issues and to develop a plan to make this your best spring and summer ever. Give us a call at 217.774.4888 or 217.774.3121 to make an appointment or to have your questions answered. -Susie Kensil, Shelby County Coordinator

WNCF is located in the MAX office for  Macon and DeWitt Counties Macon County Assistance eXchange, located inside of Decatur First United Methodist Church, 201 W. North, Decatur Open Monday - Thursday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Below are the current Income Guidelines for Weatherization and Bill Payment Assistance. Families must show proof of income. A family's monthly gross income must fall between the ranges below, based upon family size, to qualify. Power must be on/ Bill must be current/no old bills No help from DMCOC/LiHeap/Pipp in the last twelve months Must meet income guidelines Must have proof of hardship and 60 days of paystubs Family Size 30-Day (Gross) Monthly Income Range Must be between: 1          $1,508 - $3,016 2          $2,030 - $4,060 3          $2,533 - $5,106 4  ...

Training is available for individuals interested in educating themselves on the issues surrounding domestic violence. The training will take place April 30 through May 16, Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Decatur, at Dove, 302 S. Union, Dean Simcox Conference Room. This 40-hour training is approved by ICADV, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This training is being facilitated by two Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals, one of whom is also an Illinois Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional. There is a $150 fee for the training, with some scholarships available. To register, contact Barbara Blakey at 217.428.6616. A phone interview starts the process and needs to take place by Noon, Monday, April 23. Individuals interested in making a difference in the lives of victims and children served by Dove’s Domestic Violence Program are encouraged to participate in this training. Be an advocate for peace in...