Dove, Inc.

The back to school season is quickly approaching and for some it has already arrived and with it comes the back to school shopping for supplies, shoes, and clothing. Have you ever asked “what happens for the children whose parents are just making ends meet?”   How do those parents supply everything on the never-ending supply lists, only to see the list grow one the first day of school?   Where does the money for shoes, supplies, and clothing come from if you are barely making the rent? Thankfully, Dove Inc. Children’s Clothing Room offers clean gently used clothing to any parent in need. Parents can select up to three outfits per child every thirty days. We try and offer new socks and underwear to all children as well but as summer winds down so does our supply.     The beginning of every school year can be overwhelming and exciting at the same time, but it is not all about the No. 2 pencils, new shoes, or even new books, it is about the children. So,...

Dove, Inc. is honored to have been selected to carry on the traditions of the Annual Heritage & Holly Tour. 　NWRAPS, Near Westside Restoration and Preservation Society, has hosted this event for 26 years. The annual tour focuses on architectural treasures, local history and Decatur community restoration. When looking for an organization to be the event’s future sponsor, NWRAPS approached their neighbor, Dove, Inc. Dove, Inc. Governing Board President, Rev. Jason Butterick, states, "It’s a good fit, focusing on restoring area homes and families inside and out." Dove, Inc. plans to continue the event as an annual fundraiser to support local programs. The Heritage & Holly Tour will continue to bring area history to light and feature area historic homes and businesses.　The Trolley will be available to transport visitors to sites on the tour. New this year will be a bit of the rich history of Dove and its programs. Donna Williams, who has organized the tour for more t...

As the calendar turns to August, the trees and grass and flowers have begun to look a little tired.   Advertising turns from summer fun equipment to Back-to-School sales.   Harried moms begin to look hopeful and kids are either excited or sad, depending on how they feel about school.   I was always one of the excited ones because I liked school.   I also loved summer vacation, but by August I was ready to return to a familiar routine.   I liked the new clothes and shoes that back to school time brought, but I was also excited to get new school supplies.   One of my favorite things was a new box of crayons.   I can still remember begging and pleading for the biggest box of crayons available.   When I opened my new box of crayons, all sorts of possibilities loomed------beautiful works of art (although I was never really blessed with artistic talent); graphs to color for math or science   projects; maps to mark with separate colors for each ...

Since 1970, 47 years ago this week, Dove, Inc. has been providing services to the community in Central Illinois.  These services are the services the community, our churches, our state, and our country have asked us to provide.  We have stepped up time and time again to address unmet needs and social injustices.    At Dove, we operate with minimal staffing, a wonderful pool of passionate staff and volunteers, and significant cost controls.  The new budget will pay approximately 87% of the work which the State contracted with Dove to provide in the 2016-17 Fiscal Year. Dove will take a hit of a bit over $100,000 for the year for services which we have already provided in good faith.  While this is difficult, we understand that this is a necessary part of beginning to unravel the State’s ongoing financial issues. We are grateful to the many community members who have stepped forward with donations and grants to keep us able to serve the needs of our...

I would like to personally invite everyone to this year = s Annual Garden and Tea Luncheon! This year we are going to be doing something different. Instead of a tour of the lovely gardens in DeWitt County, we are having a presentation put on by the well-loved Bloomington Tea Ladies. It will be titled A The Beauty of a Victorian Garden @ .  The Garden Tea Luncheon will also be a sit down lunch with a dessert buffet. This will take place before the presentation. Date:   Saturday June 17 Place: First Church of the Nazarene, 1220 Kleemann Drive, Clinton Time: Luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. the presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Ticket Price:   $15.00 Where to purchase tickets:   CADV committee members, Dove and The Flower Corner. **Please note that since this is a luncheon, in order to make sure we have enough food for everyone, tickets will only be sold in advance. We will not sell tickets at the door....

Dove's Annual Meeting was held on Monday, May 8.  At that time, the following slate of Board Directors were elected to serve the July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019 term, Mrs. SuEllen Brauer Rev. Jason Butterick Rev. Vivian Clarington Ms. Keturah Owens Mrs. Amanda Podeschi Mrs. Marianne Taylor Mr. William Taylor Thanks to all who are choosing to serve on the Board. They will be serving with the following who are serving a July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018 term Ms. Jo Carter Mrs. Tami Crouch Mr. Darrel Parish Ms. Teri Fickes Mrs. Kim Stahl The Rev. Richard Swan The complete list is always available on the Dove website www.doveinc.org Fr. Swan who is currently serving as the Vice President of the conducted the election of the Board of Directors.

 Unfortunately, some children are not in a loving relationship with their Mother. I found this poem below from the St. Paul Almanac, created in 2005. It is a tribute to women. I feel it is appropriate post to share for Mother’s Day, entitled "The Strength of a Woman."  The St. Paul Almanac is a "literary-centered arts organization that shares stories across cultures and cultivates dialogue to promote understanding, relationships, and collaborative action". The Saint Paul Almanac helps to center the people of the St. Paul community into the heart of storytelling. Please enjoy and please honor the supportive women in your life. Teri Ducy Domestic Violence Program Director The strength of a woman is carrying the burden of family without expectation that someone will feel her pain or cry her tears. The strength of a woman is the first one to wake up and the last to go to bed. The strength of a woman is to pretty and doll up all the masks sh...