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My husband threw a few logs on the fireplace the other night and standing there watching the dancing flames, I had a feeling of guilt overtake me. I thought, “I am really blessed in the grand scheme of things! I have a roof over my head and a kindling fireplace to enjoy the warmth with my family. Yes, I am blessed; however, too many families aren’t so fortunate.”   As the cold air whirled outside my cozy home I knew there is someone; some family; some small child who was not warming by a fireplace but who instead would be fighting off the frigid weather, without a home and some even without basic winter apparel. Far too many people will go through this Holiday season struggling to stay out of the harsh elements and we will sit around our fireplaces with our families enjoying life. Is that a bad thing, of course not? Nevertheless, it should be concerning to us that at last count; there were nearly 250 people in this community without a permanent residence.   Yes...

My post today was originally going to be about the Christmas Baskets program, but as I sat down to write, I found that my heart was heavy with another topic. It is heavy because it is the biggest holiday season of the year and a young girl was killed just over a week ago, allegedly shot by another young person. Let me begin by saying that I did not know the victim. I don't know her family, her friends. I don't live in her neighborhood. I've heard stories from many who did know her, who are devastated by her loss. All the sympathetic words and the vigils in her honor combined cannot piece the lives that were destroyed back together. Not even time can do that entirely. But I would be remiss in remaining silent despite not knowing her personally. She did not die a natural death. She did not pass away peacefully in her sleep, or even from a long drawn out terminal illness. She died at the hands of another child. When I was fifteen, it never even crossed my mind that I could...

The 2013 Coats for Kids drive is in great shape now, but we still need your help to meet the need of families seeking coats.  When coats are donated, they are taken to a cleaner to make sure the coats are ready to wear when they are distributed by participating clothing rooms.  There are wonderful volunteers keeping the coats moving.  We don't store them for some big give away day, they are taken from the cleaners to the clothing rooms to be given out as soon as they can be. There are so many wonderful places that allow us to collect the coats.  It shouldn't be hard to find a place convenient for you: Classic Cleaners, 2474 N. Main, Decatur Corner Cleaning Connection, 1154 E. Prairie Ave., Decatur CVS, Monroe & Pershing, Eldorado and Fairview, 16th & Cantrell in Decatur Decatur Public Library, 130 N. Franklin Street, Decatur Decatur Township, 1620 Taylorville Road GT Church Jane's Cleaners, 664 W. Eldorado Jerger Pediatric ...

Lifestyle, by definition is the typical way of life for a person or a culture.   Lifestyle choices can encompass many things.   You may choose to be married, or single, or some variation in between.   You may choose to buy a home or rent or live with family.   You may choose a “green” lifestyle with the ideal of leaving a better world for future generations.   You may choose many things to fill your leisure time, many things to be interested in, many things to teach your children…….which you may or may not choose to have.    Location, finances, education, family or work responsibilities….all of these things and others can have an impact on the lifestyle choices you make. But domestic violence is one thing that is not a lifestyle choice.   For far too long society assumed that a victim of domestic violence…………….and victims come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, all genders, all education and all economic levels………….chooses to live this way....

Have you always wanted to know more about domestic violence? Would you be interested in working with domestic violence victims and their children? Our program is always in need of volunteers - to assist in answering our hotline, covering the shelter, clerical tasks, assisting with orders of protection, co-facilitating support groups, etc. Our next Domestic Violence Education & Training will begin on October 15th. Sessions will be every Tuesday and Thursday night through November 21st. Cost is $150, however there is a waiver process that may be considered. - Teri Ducy, Domestic Violence Program Director Dates and Times: October 15, 27, 22, 24, 29, 31 November 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Registration information: If interested, please contact Barb Blakey, Director of Volunteers and Community Relations at 428 6616. Complete a phone interview by noon, Tuesday, October 8 Attend one of the registration meetings to complete the process, Thursday, Oct...

Hello - meet Daniel.   He is 8 years old and lives with his Mom and Dad in a nice 3 bedroom home in a quiet neighborhood.   Daniel is always well kept and taken care of; however, he is often sad and withdrawn.   He has a hard time staying focused at school and has recently started getting in fights. What others don = t know is there is a secret of what has been happening at home.   Daniel loves his Mommy and Daddy so much but sadly, to him, it seems like they don = t love each other.   They fight constantly; his dad screams at his mom, curses her and says very hurtful things to her.   Recently, Daniel has seen his dad punch his mom really hard, pulled her by her hair and also break things in the house and punch holes in the walls. Sometimes Daniel runs and hides but he = s a big boy and he wants to protect his mom.   At times he has gotten in between his parents, screaming at his dad to stop.   One time, he saw his dad pull out a knife ...

Each October, the Domestic Violence Program hosts ceremonies in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  These events are called a "Candlelighting Ceremony."  Each county where we offer services,  hosts an event and each one is different -  but each have a time to light candles in memory of those who have suffered the effects of Domestic Violence.  Each event also recognizes those who have survived and those working to end the abuse. Please mark your calendars now to attend one of these meaningful events.  Show your support to the survivors, to the families of those who suffered and died and to those volunteers and staff members, working each day to make a difference. 　 Shelby County - Thursday, October 3, 7:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 205 West Main, Shelbyville. Come join with us for a short service to recognize those who suffer and have suffered from family abuse. Light refreshmen...