Dove, Inc.

When people become involved in their communities they take ownership of the problems facing all residents.   Community engagement is about people working and learning together, gaining strength from each other and sharing visions and actions that lead to a common goal.   Volunteering is a great way to begin your community journey, but did you know there are already many dedicated volunteers serving in our community? There are opportunities for volunteers of all ages to get involved and make great things happen. We have national, state, and community-based organizations that help mobilize all of those cherished volunteers, but did you know the need for volunteers never decreases? There is always an opportunity to get involved with something you care deeply about. Do you want to help build homes, help keep our environment clean, teach someone to read, delivery a nutritious meal to a shut in, rock and read to babies, or respond when disaster strikes? All of these volunteer op...

The Dove Children’s Clothing Room is a place where families may select free, good quality clothing for infants and children. The Clothing Room is located at Prairie Avenue Christian Church, 2201 E. Prairie Avenue in Decatur. It is open Monday through Thursday 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.. Families can "shop" for their children once every 30 days and are allowed 3 outfits per child, as well as 2 new pairs of new underwear and socks if available. The Clothing Room serves children and young adults from infants to age 18. We do not require referrals, but we do ask for each child’s age and gender for our records. We count on the help from the community and always welcome donations of gently used items, including clothes for infants, school aged children, and teenagers, and baby items. We are always in need of new socks and underwear and will gladly accept monetary donations to purchase these items. There is a locked, blue drop box in the church parking lot where donations can...

After spending several months on the back half of 2016 talking about abusive behaviors, we decided to take a different spin going into 2017.   You see we spent a long time slowly working through and examining different forms and subtypes of abuse including the many forms of emotional abuse.   This gave a very realistic look at some of the more “incognito” forms of violence that abusers get away with such as blaming, confusing behavior, corruption, destructive criticism, intimidation, isolation, manipulation, and even obsessive behavior.   What we realized in closing out the year was that we had developed a very strong sense of what kind of traits and behaviors that we don’t want in our lives.   On the flip side, we hadn’t really answered the question of what we do want in our lives. It was a striking realization that while some victims of abuse started with a very pleasant life full of positive relationships, others have not been so fortunate.   For those...

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 and Family Services Coordinator 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 – 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. Teen dating violence can be...

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and the many floral, candy and gift shops are getting ready for this romantic day of the year. For a lot of people who are fortunate to have that special someone in their life, this can be a very special romantic day together. For others, it is anything but romantic! 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will be victims of domestic violence in her or his lifetime. While some are enjoying the candy hearts, flowers, and candlelit dinners, others have painful memories of past relationships or living each day in fear, walking on eggshells with their current abusive partner.   Whatever you may be feeling this year on Valentine's Day, I suggest you take the opportunity to remind yourself that you are special and you deserve to be loved, not just by a significant other, but loved by YOU. This is a perfect time to begin anew, and start taking care of yourself. Do something special for yourself. Make your favorite meal or splu...

Ever wondered how you can really make a difference in somebody’s life?   While some in this world have all the confidence in the world that they can move mountains, others might find themselves pacing back and forth or paralyzed at the thought of how they can really change somebody’s circumstances.   I mean, you’re only one person right.   Sure you might be able to brighten somebody’s day by being nice to them, and if you have money to spare, maybe your checkbook could make an impact in how somebody else changes somebody’s life.   But what if I told you that you had everything that it takes to truly alter someone else’s situation, and maybe even save a life. Dove’s Domestic Violence Program offers a host of services to victims of domestic violence on a daily basis, 24/7.   Our crisis domestic violence shelter takes victims and their children out of harm’s way, and brings them into a sanctuary where they can begin to heal and put the pieces of their liv...

Looking back through the DoveTale from days past, the February 9, 1973 issue had this little article DOVE ALWAYS NEEDS: ... children's clothing ... good furniture ... volunteers ... $ to meet expenses Yep, 3 of the 4 - still a need today in 2017. (The good furniture, we'd refer you to Central Illinois Christians in Mission to donate to and when we need furniture, we check with them first.)