Volunteers

Volunteers, people making a difference, tackling tough jobs, dirty jobs, complicated jobs, rewarding jobs. People giving guidance to one other person or people giving guidance to the agency as a whole.

Dove wouldn't be Dove without volunteers. They come from congregations, schools, their work place and from retiring. Some are committed for the long term, some are happy to help with a short term need and move on to another area.

Most Dove program would cease to exist without volunteers. Some would remain, but would look very very different without the compassionate service of volunteers.

So as this National Volunteer Recognition Week comes to a close, again we say thank you to the volunteers of Dove. Looking forward, we can't wait to see what's next, and our volunteers will be a major part of the plans!

Celebrate Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day!

On Saturday, April 20^th, Dove’s Community Recycling Center is having a special event for Earth Day!  In honor of this, we will be offering .50 per pound for aluminum cans.  Alpha Chi Omega sorority from Millikin will be there helping us.  The event is from 8am to 1pm at 130 W. Cerro Gordo.

Did you know?

 

ü  We have new hours!  Thu:  Noon-5pm  Fri & Sat:  8am-Noon

 

ü  We work with Macon County Environmental Management picking up recycled paper at the schools across the county.  We probably pick up at your child’s school!

 

ü  The Dove Recycle Center is all about the COMMUNITY.  Because of that, you have three options when recycling your cans:

1)      Keep the earnings for yourself

2)      Donate the earnings to Dove, Inc.

3)      Donate the earnings to your local church or favorite community organization

Come out and visit us and show your support for Earth Day!

Get Money Smart

If you didn’t already know this, the week of April 20^th-28th is Money Smart Week.

What, you ask, is Money Smart Week? According to the website, it’s a campaign designed to help people better manage their finances.

I don’t know about you, but personally, I could use all the help I can get in the area of finances. Like so many people, I have found myself time and again digging myself into the hole known as credit card debt. This isn’t something that I’m proud of, but I’m not going to hide it, either. Fact of the matter is I like to shop. A lot.

Lucky for me that there’s a Lunch and Learn session at Land of Lincoln Credit Union called “The Psychology of Spending—Discover Why We Shop!” I’m definitely attending that one.

There are a wide variety of sponsors and agencies involved in Money Smart Week, and Dove, Inc. is no exception. On Friday, April 26^th, we are sponsoring a workshop called “Realistic Budgeting” from 5:30 to 6:45 PM in the Dean Simcox Conference Room at 302 S. Union Street here in Decatur. Then the next day, in the same location, we’re hosting one called “Effective Couponing on a Shoestring Budget.” It takes place from 10-11 AM.

So if you’re like me, and need to learn how to better deal with your finances, consider attending one of the many presentations and workshops that are coming up. For a complete list, visit http://moneysmartweek.org.

 

Children should be seen, heard, and believed

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What are we doing for our children?

Our children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect.

Each day in America more than five children die as a result of abuse or neglect.  On average, a child abuse report is made every 10 seconds for a total of approximately 3.3 million child abuse reports annually.

This is not something we like to think about, but we need to. 

 

Children should be seen, heard, and believed…

 

Children should be seen…

 

How many of us have said “It is none of my business” well if we want to protect children we need to make it our business.

If you suspect abuse of a child, but the child has not disclosed to you, call 1-800-4-A-CHILD. Counselors from Childhelp are available 24/7 to talk through the situation with you and help decide what the best course of action is.

 

Children should be heard…

Sayings like “We don’t air our dirty laundry in public”, “What happens in this family stays in this family”, or “Who would believe you” keep children silent about their abuse.   Silence perpetuates the cycle of abuse.

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle help the children you care about develop positive living skills. 

Talk with them. 

Listen to them and believe what they say. 

Interact with them. You will be more aware of any changes in the child’s behavior or attitude and be able to inquire about it.

 

Children should be believed…

Plain and simple…believe a child

Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religious and at all levels of education.

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

During this month many activities are planned to bring awareness to our community that child abuse happens here and what we can do to help children. These events will be publicized through our local media. Become involved and take a pro-active stance about child abuse. 

 

Children should be Seen, Heard, and Believed!

Sandy Laesch, BABES Program Coordinator