Dove, Inc.

At next weeks Macon County Continuum of Care Community Breakfast (March 17, 8a at Good Samaritan Inn), results from the 2016 Point-In-Time survey will be release.  These numbers are collected by volunteers and staff members to try and get the most accurate count of homeless individuals in Macon County, during a 24 hour period.  This year's count was held on January 28.   Many past year's results are listed on the website, www.doveinc.org .  What will this year bring?  Regardless of the numbers, the many agencies who work with area homeless individuals as part of the MC/CoC can tell you there is still much work to be done in our area.   Would you like to be part of the solution? Come to the breakfast Join the MC/CoC, next meeting to be held on May 12, 1:30 p.m. at the Homeward Bound office, 788 E. Clay, Decatur Volunteer in the community at one of the many agencies working on these issues Have a speaker come to your church or service organization ...

Dove = s Domestic Violence Program provides teen dating and domestic violence education to help teens understand healthy relationship characteristics and boundaries, recognize abusive behaviors and patterns, and know where and how to reach out for help for themselves or a friend.    The Youth Services Specialist provides teen dating violence education to teens in high schools, middle schools, colleges, and youth organizations throughout DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, and Shelby counties.      Teen dating violence is often the first manifestation of domestic violence B many adults report that their first experience with domestic violence occurred in a teen relationship. The highest rates of domestic violence occur between the ages of 15-25.   1 in 3 teen girls report physical and/or sexual abuse by a dating partner and 7 out of 10 teens (both male and female) report verbal/emotional abuse, threats, and/or stalking by a dating partner. ...

We’re looking back today! This article is from the April 1987 DoveTales Newsletter, written by then editor Nancy Jo Batman. Tried to recreate the article exactly as it was typed in the original newsletter. 　 　 　 " W H A T    I S    T H I S    T H I N G    C A L L E D    "D O V E" ?      "Oh, I didn’t know you had a Domestic Violence too." . . . "You work with kids too?" . . . "Gosh, I didn’t know all those volunteers that work in the RSVP program were part of Dove too!"       As noted elsewhere in Fred’s "ORTS" column, some of you may be reading this and have no idea why. In fact, you may have asked, "what is this thing called Dove?" This is a primer course for you and a refresher course for our faithful volunteers and supporters.       Dove, Inc. is a social-service organization supported by 37 congregations representing 12 deno...

Have you always wanted to learn more about domestic violence, and/or work with victims of domestic violence? If so, please make a point to sign up for our upcoming Domestic Violence Education and Volunteer Training. This Training will be held April 11-27, Monday - Thursday, from 1:00 to to 5:00 p.m. The training will take place in the Dean Simcox Conference Center at 302 S. Union, Decatur. Cost is $150. Scholarships may be requested if absolutely unable to pay. Volunteers are so important to the program. Volunteers work along side staff members to help adults and children in the program move forward to a more positive, peaceful life. Registration for the training is between February 15 and April 4. Call Barb Blakey, Director of Volunteers and Community Relations to start the process or for additional information. 428.6616

As I reflect on 2016 and the New Year lying before us - my mind can' t help but wander.   Looking back over another year, I dream about all the " what ifs?"   I thought I' d take a moment to share some of those " What If" thoughts-   What if our community really and truly did not tolerate domestic violence in any shape or form? What if those who commit the crime of domestic violence are punished to the fullest extent of the law? What if we our community is really able to take notice at the significant amount of increases in domestic violence cases that are taken to trial? What if victims could stand their ground, without fear, without retaliation, without regret as they take those courageous steps to taking back control of their own lives? What if everyone felt safe to disagree with the ones they love, having no fear when they choose to agree to disagree? What if our community made a determined effort to educate themselves on the facts...

by Sheryl Whisman How do you find the time to give So much to those around? You get much accomplished And your gifts, they just abound! Without complaint or comment You lend a helping hand. To everyone you meet each day, You give all that you can. I'm not sure that you realize Just what a blessed thing You're doing for the world around Or how many gifts you bring. I'm happy to be part of this And I want the world to know, That senior volunteers are special folks Who help their neighbors grow. You are willing to fee the hungry, You are willing to dress the poor. Your are willing to deliver the feeble Right to the doctor's door. You gladly write to the veterans, And the soldiers who are in need, You are willing to clean the houses, You are willing to rake the leaves. There are not many projects That you will not take on. And it is with that helpful heart That you make this nation strong. So now I...

Understanding homelessness means to know what some of the issues are pertaining to the social issues causing homelessness: poverty, affordable housing, disabilities, and others. Homelessness occurs when people or households can no longer afford to maintain housing. While circumstances can vary, the main reason people experience homelessness is because they cannot find housing they can afford. Typically, families become homeless as a result of some unforeseen financial crisis - a medical emergency, a car accident, a death in the family - that prevents them from being able to hold on to housing. Young people often become homeless due to family conflict, including divorce, neglect, or abuse. (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2015) A lot of young people who become homeless, they either return home or move in with friends or family. Veterans often become homeless due to war-related disabilities. For many different reasons, whether it is physical disabilities, post-traumatic stres...