Dove, Inc.

The official start of spring was March 20 th ! Spring has many definitions, but the one I prefer is the following: to come into being, rise, or arise within a short time. It only seems too appropriate that springtime was the setting for Jesus’s death on the cross and His resurrection, doesn’t it? In three very short days He conquered death, wiped us clean of all our sins, and rose again!!! So spring means so much more than warm weather and tulips! Spring is a chance to start over, to rise, and to begin again. With that said, I want to challenge everyone this spring as they are out in their yards, walking around town, or just enjoying the beautiful spring days to simply say hi to others you meet. Take the time to get to know your neighbor and others in your community. Victims and survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault are more likely to share their experiences to family members, friends, or neighbors before they ever call a hotline or the police. We never know what another pe...

Dove, Inc. and volunteers through the Macon County Continuum of Care (CoC) conducted the annual Point-in-Time count on January 22, 2015. The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on a single night in January. HUD requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of homeless persons who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night. Continuums of Care also required to conduct a count of unsheltered homeless persons every other year (odd numbered years) but Macon County conducts this count annually, as well. This year Mary Garrison coordinated and carried out the count with the assistance of Millikin students, Dove Staff and local Macon County CoC volunteers. Darsonya Switzer Homeward Bound Program Director Below are a few of the numbers shared at the March 18 Affordable Housing Breakfast.  Watch for additional information in May which gives reflection on these numbers. Macon Coun...

-Teri Ducy, Domestic Violence Program Director Do you know that we offer a support group each week for victims of domestic violence?  Do you know anyone who is in an unhealthy relationship who could benefit from learning about the different types of abuse and how power and control is at the center of any kind of abusive relationship?  Did you know that abuse is NOT always physical?  Let us share options available and information about the services we offer. Emotional and verbal abuse can be just as damaging to someone as physical abuse.  Refer to our program.   All of our services are free and confidential.  Please remember, our rural offices in Clinton, Sullivan and Shelbyville have their own weekly support groups that meet as well.  For additional information, please call our 24 hour hotline at 423.2238. 

Dove, Inc began in 1970 as a place for people to put their faith into action and to volunteer.  Many times it was to volunteer to meet others in situations different that yours.  Today, 45 years later, Dove still relies on the talents, time and dedication of many volunteers.  Last year, more than 105,000 hours were logged in by Dove volunteers, helping out our agency and many other agencies by the RSVP Volunteers All the programs have active volunteers helping out. Currently we are seeking additional volunteers in the program listed below: BABES (Beginning Awareness Basic Education Studies) Children's Clothing Room and the Domestic Violence Program Please link to the web site to learn about these programs and to keep a watch on future volunteer needs.  Those seeking to volunteer with the Domestic Violence Program, registration for the May training will begin on March 9. People are always joining the RSVP program, seeking a quality use of their volunteer...

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that puts great emphasis on relationships.  Advertising spotlights the perfect card, the perfect floral arrangement, the perfect jewelry.  Many people concentrate on that, failing to realize that nothing is perfect.  The retailers are happy, because Valentine’s Day profits can be a bright spot in a dismal winter shopping season.  People who are expecting the “perfect” gift to make their relationship “perfect” are usually not so happy.  Instead of all the attention to the “perfect” gift, Valentine’s Day is a good chance to take a look at our relationships  to make them better. At Valentine’s Day, the emphasis is on romantic relationships, but we each have all sorts of relationships in our daily lives……..family, friends, co-workers, etc.   Many of the same things that make a romantic relationship healthy will  work in our other relationships as well.    But, since it is Valentine’s Day, we will l...

The Coalition Of Neighborhood Organizations invites the public and especially all members of the neighborhood organizations, to be a part of the two upcoming candidate's forums. Know your candidates and you can be prepared for voting in the April 2015 elections. The two evenings will begin with an informal Meet & Greet session with the forum beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be predetermine questions asked by the CONO board then the floor will be open for questions from the audience . All residents of neighborhoods are encouraged to come with your questions. Refreshments will be served. CONO's  Candidate's Forum  for Mayor and City Council Members Tuesday, February 24, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Decatur Public Library’s Madden Auditorium for the Richland Community College Board, District 61 School Board,  and the Decatur Park District Board  Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 5:30 p.m. Decatur Public Library's Madden Auditorium Remember to VOTE whenever you...

(The Point in Time Survey is required by  Continuums  of Care that  receive  funding from HUD.  A 24 hour period of time during the last week of January, volunteers and staff memberss go out into the county to administer the survey and to get the most accurate count possible of the homeless in the area.  Below are reflections of two Millikin University Students who volunteered.) Tamica Hatchett – Point in Time Count Reflection Recently, I participated in the Point-In-Time homeless count for Macon County. I volunteered to help with counting the homeless in our community for many reasons but most of all because I have experienced homelessness and I realize how important it is to get this information and ensure continued funding and services for people who are homeless.  I was not exactly sure what to expect. Initially, I just thought we would be going to shelters in the community and gather information from them. I learned from the coord...