Dove, Inc.

Training is available for individuals interested in educating themselves on the issues surrounding domestic violence. The training will take place April 30 through May 16, Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Decatur, at Dove, 302 S. Union, Dean Simcox Conference Room. This 40-hour training is approved by ICADV, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This training is being facilitated by two Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals, one of whom is also an Illinois Certified Partner Abuse Intervention Professional. There is a $150 fee for the training, with some scholarships available. To register, contact Barbara Blakey at 217.428.6616. A phone interview starts the process and needs to take place by Noon, Monday, April 23. Individuals interested in making a difference in the lives of victims and children served by Dove’s Domestic Violence Program are encouraged to participate in this training. Be an advocate for peace in...

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Here are a few signs to watch for: 　 A person who is in a violent relationship often is: afraid of her partner’s temper* afraid to break up because her partner has threatened to hurt himself or others constantly apologizing for or defending her partner’s behavior afraid to disagree with her partner isolated from family or friends embarrassed in front of others because of her partner’s words or actions intimidated by her partner and coerced into having sex * Pronoun choices reflect the fact that over 95% of the perpetrators of domestic violence are male. 　 A person who exhibits violent behavior in a relationship often: has an explosive temper is possessive or jealous of his partner’s time, friends, and/or family constantly criticizes his partner’s thoughts, feelings, or appearance pinches, slaps, grabs, shoves, or throws things at his partner coerces or intimidates his partner into having sex blames his partner for his own ...

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, which always makes me sad.     When I think of teens, I conjure up positive images of school, college applications, music and fashion, earning a driver’s license, crazy fun with friends, mood swings, that first crush, and steady growth into independence and adulthood - NOT violence and fear.   However, for many teens, dating violence is a terrifying reality.   The statistics are staggering.   According to Love Is Respect, the National Teen Dating Violence Helpline , 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from a dating partner every year.   One in three adolescents in the U. S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.   Use of technology to coerce, stalk, and blackmail teen partners is increasingly common in abusive teen relationships.   Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rates of intimate par...

Looking for ways to be involved with the programs of Dove, Inc.?  Here are some idea to get you thinking! giving time   pray for our clients attend our events read our email newsletter share our email newsletter with family and friends like our facebook page share our tweets read our news feed on the website www.doveinc.org read our blog memorize hot-line numbers to share with someone in need   giving talents   serve on advisory committees serve as Congregation’s Delegate volunteer for BABES, next training in Spring of 2018 volunteer for Domestic Violence Program, next training in Spring, April 30 - May 16, 2018 volunteer for RSVP, 80+ agencies and organizations to help and make a difference for the community volunteer for MAX, Macon County Assistance exchange program volunteer for the 2018 Point-In-Time count of area homeless individuals and families, January 25, 2018 volunteer for the Childr...

Family and friends have started asking me what I want for Christmas this year. Each year it gets more difficult for me to come up with tangible gift ideas. The truth is, there isn' t much of anything I' m lacking. I' m not saying that to brag, but because it' s a realization I' ve come to over the last few Christmase s. A lot of this comes from working at the Christmas Baskets Program here at Dove. I look around a room filled with hats and gloves, toys and gift items that will go to about 350 families - around 1,300 individuals, and it dawns on me every year how lucky I am. How thankful I am. How easily things could change for me and I could be one of those in need of a basket for my family for the season.   Each year I take calls from people who are facing hardship: the recent death of a spouse or provider, a job loss just a couple of months before the holiday season, a family with so many medical expenses that they can' t afford Christmas dinner a...

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 2017 event will be held the weekend after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday the 25 th , from noon to 6:00 p.m.   $18 Advance Tickets are available at the following locations through Noon, November 22: All Things Beautiful, 219 N. Main Street Dove, 302 S. Union Street an...

The 2017 Coats for Kids drive is in full swing and we will be collecting good, used coats for families in need through November 30.  Participating Cleaners will make sure the coats are clean and fresh and ready for the clothing rooms to distribute.   Please  think of the good you can do, by clearing out those closets OR by doing a bit of shopping for those hard to get sizes (about 2nd -6th graders.) Participating Cleaners make sure all the coats are clean and also a collection site for donations: Classic Cleaner 2474 N. Main Peerless Cleaners 519 N. Monroe Pride Cleaners and Launderers 2553 N. Main 1804 E. Eldorado 912 W. Eldorado 2056 Mt. Zion Road 1154 E. Prairie Ave. Waite's Dry Cleaners and Launderers 1004 S. Main, Decatur 664 W. Eldorado 115 Magnolia, Forsyth Drop off sites serve as an easy way to drop off your coat donation, while you are out. Decatur Public Library 130 ...