Local Businesses Team with H.U.G.S. to Help Abuse Victims
March 16, 2001, Easton, MA - Working closely with H.U.G.S. II (Help Us Get Safe), area businesses
are playing an important role to make information about domestic violence more easily accessible to abuse victims.
Often times, victims of domestic violence simply do not know where to turn for help or how to get information about available services. As abuse is an extremely personal matter, victims are uncomfortable discussing their situation with relatives, friends, or neighbors.
To address this problem, local businesses have agreed to place H.U.G.S. literature in private areas,
such as restrooms, in their establishments. This will afford victims an increased opportunity to
review literature and obtain the information they need to seek help. Privacy is key to this community-based program.
"When we were approached by H.U.G.S. about this program, we immediately saw the benefit to both our employees and our customers," stated Joe Papagno, Senior Vice President of Coldwell Banker. "By participating, we send a clear message that family violence in our community cannot be tolerated and that help is available."
Old Colony's Frothingham Family YMCA was equally enthusiastic about their involvement. According to Frank Willey, Executive Director, "Domestic violence is a terrible crime that effects so many people, especially the children who are often caught in the middle. The YMCA is more than happy to help H.U.G.S. in their mission to end domestic violence in Easton."
"The program is designed to place literature about domestic violence directly in the hands of those who need it-in a way that respects their need for privacy," stated Loretta Garofano who is coordinating this outreach program for H.U.G.S.
The program is currently well underway as H.U.G.S. volunteers visit local businesses to explain the program and enlist their help. So far the response has been extremely positive. If your business has not been contacted by H.U.G.S. and would like to be involved in this important community effort, please call H.U.G.S. directly at 230-3309.
H.U.G.S. II is a local, non-profit organization staffed by community volunteers whose goal is to eliminate family violence in Easton through awareness, prevention, education, and early intervention. H.U.G.S. II offers Easton residents a wide range of services, including: temporary emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal care items, assistance with safety planning, cell phone program, and limited financial assistance.
H.U.G.S. Receives "Patron of Youth" Award
July17, 2001, Easton, MA -H.U.G.S. II (Help Us Get Safe) was recently presented with a "Patron of Youth" award from the Old Colony's Frothingham Family YMCA. The award was presented by Chris Galante, Senior Director of the YMCA. According to Galante, "The award conveys the YMCA's deep appreciation of friendship and generous support of H.U.G.S. and its services to the young people of our community."
"We share the YMCA award with the people and businesses of Easton who generously donate the funds that allow us to help victims of domestic violence and their children," stated Denise Papagno, President of H.U.G.S. "We recognize that without the support of the Easton community, H.U.G.S. would not be able to provide these critical services to victims."
Specifically, H.U.G.S. was honored for providing the financial support necessary to allow the child of a domestic violence victim to attend day care at the YMCA's before and after school program.
This is just one concrete example of how H.U.G.S. helps victims of domestic violence in the Easton community. In the recent past, the H.U.G.S. organization has also provided the following confidential services to victims:
registration and insurance for motor vehicles
weekly transportation to and from counseling
relocation expenses
a safe house/shelter and mail retrieval services
emergency cell phones
partial rent payment and utilities
These services truly made a difference in the lives of each of the victims who reached out to H.U.G.S. to help them gain independence from unhealthy, violent situations. It is important to them and to other victims to have a local organization available to help them achieve freedom from their violent situations.
Individuals and businesses can help H.U.G.S. continue its mission to eliminate family violence in Easton by sending tax deductible contributions directly to: H.U.G.S. II, Inc., 46 Lothrop Street, N. Easton, MA 02356. Any and all contributions are deeply appreciated by H.U.G.S. and the community members that are helped by their many services.
Easton Students Attend Violence Prevention Programs
April 30, 2001, Easton, MA - Have you ever been picked on? Have you silently stood by as a bully humiliates a fellow classmate? Have you ever teased a classmate? These are some of the questions Easton's Middle School students in grades 5 and 6 responded to after a recent showing of "Doin' the Right Thing," an educational theatre program designed to help young people understand the
implications of teasing, bullying, and harassment.
Members of Deana's Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at preventing relationship violence, conducted the three-person interactive play. The actors, Kelli Canniff, Chris Cook, and Nat MacIntyre, portrayed students engaged in teasing, bullying, and harassment in a wide variety of settings, including: classrooms, hallways, recess, and restrooms. After the play, the students talked openly with the actors about bullying, its cause and effects, and ways in which they could prevent it in their school.
Kelli Canniff, who played Natalie (a student caught between a bully and his victim) told the students,
"As a former teacher I saw many kids afraid and insecure around their classmates. I felt it was extremely important for kids to understand just how hurtful and destructive their behavior can be-even if they
think its just for fun or its nothing personal."
Officer Allen, who leads the Easton D.A.R.E. program was also on hand to talk to the kids during and after the program. Officer Allen made it clear that "this is your school, and only you can decide that bullying and harassment are not acceptable behaviors." He further stated, "Every kid who comes to school deserves to feel safe and secure."
The message was clearly heard by the students and will be reinforced through ongoing dialogue at
school, between students, and especially with parents and other family members.
"In this day and age, kids who are victims of bullying fight back in ways that were once unimaginable," stated Detective Denise Papagno, Easton's Domestic Violence Officer and President of H.U.G.S. Papagno further stated, "One only needs to look to recent school tragedies to realize the horrendous effects bullying can have on a community."
Members of Deana's Fund's educational theatre programs will present another highly acclaimed program in Easton's Jr. High School. Scheduled for late May, the dramatic play, "Remote Control", is aimed at 7th graders, and focuses on early warning signs of abusive relationships. "The Yellow Dress" production was presented to 11th grade students earlier in the school year, and is designed to help teens recognize
and prevent dating violence.
These educational programs are generously funded by a grant from the Easton Cultural Council. The programs are endorsed by Easton's Family Violence Family Task Force, H.U.G.S. II, D.A.R.E., and
the Easton Public School Department.
If you have any questions about these programs or would like to contribute to Deana's Fund, you may contact the organization directly at 781-935-7878.
If you or anyone you know needs assistance with domestic violence issues, please call H.U.G.S. directly at 508-230-3309. H.U.G.S. is a local non-profit organization offering Easton residents a wide range of services, including: temporary emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal care items, assistance with safety planning, cell phone program, and limited financial assistance.
H.U.G.S. Marches with Stonehill Students Against Domestic Violence
April 6, 2001, Easton, MA - On April 5th, members of H.U.G.S. (Help Us Get Safe) joined students from Stonehill College and other community members for Stonehill's annual "Take Back The Night" march.
The march was a powerful demonstration of the community's strong commitment to end domestic violence. Approximately 500 people participated in the event, which began at Boland Hall located on the Stonehill Campus. The event included a 90-minute march around the campus, down Route 138 and back to Boland Hall.
Stonehill students, Julie Guptill and Dan Sadowski, who served as masters of ceremonies, began the event with a symbolic lighting of candles which participants carried throughout the march. According to Julie Guptill, "Through events like "Take Back the Night," we hope to educate our community on issues of violence against women including rape, battering, incest, pornography, objectification of women, murder, and assault."
During the pre-march ceremonies, Stonehill's Dean Louis Saltrelli shared his thoughts about the role of men in ending violence against women. It was evident by the overwhelming number of men in the audience, that today's young men are aware of the issues and are committed to end the cycle of abuse. Their understanding was further reinforced as the men marched behind the women, using a strong collective voice to chant and sing songs to empower the women and ensure that their message was heard clearly around the campus.
H.U.G.S. member Sally Partington, who attended the march, said, "To see so many young men and women standing side-by-side listening to songs, poems, and personal stories about domestic violence brings hope for the future-a future where domestic violence is not tolerated in any shape or form."
If you or anyone you know needs assistance with domestic violence issues, please call H.U.G.S. directly at 508-230-3309. H.U.G.S. is a local non-profit organization staffed by community volunteers whose goal is to eliminate family violence in Easton through awareness, prevention, education, and early intervention. H.U.G.S. II offers Easton residents a wide range of services, including: temporary emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal care items, assistance with safety planning, cell phone program, and limited financial assistance.
Clothesline Project of H.U.G.S. II
Domestic violence-- two words that shouldn't have to be used together. The word "domestic" relates to the home environment which is associated with a sense of peace, comfort and safety. "Violence" on the other hand, implies forceful brutality, explosive rage.
For those of you who have never experienced domestic violence personally, try to imagine yourself a victim and what it would be like to wake up every morning knowing what to expect; another beating for you (or the kids), or maybe the inevitable onslaught of criticism and verbal abuse. To begin each day knowing your life is not your own because you are so controlled by someone who says they "love you." Perhaps you were a victim of rape or incest, or grew up watching your parents fight...alot.You find you can't talk about your experience even though you really want to. Still, you know it would be helpful to vent some of those suppressed feelings that you carry around inside of you.
No matter what catagory of abuse a person suffers, the residual feelings of shame, anger and bitterness become burdens to bear which should be addressed. Professional counseling is always a wise step to take whether your abuse is current or in the past.There is also another option for those wish to vent their emotions in a safe and positive manner. H.U.G.S. II is a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence and their families. We have recently begun our own "Clothesline Project." The concept is simple; victims use tee shirts to express their emotions regarding their abusive experience. The tee shirts are then displayed publicly (anonymously), hung on a clothesline at specific "Clothesline Project" displays or at other domestic violence awareness forums such as our annual "Walk for Family Safety" held each October in Easton. Each shirt is profoundly unique. Some are artistically detailed, some are in poetic form, others simply have words describing a painful experience that changed a person's life forever. Certain color shirts represent a particular category of abuse such as: red or pink for rape, yellow or beige for women who were battered or assaulted, blue or green for incest or child sexual abuse and gray for emotional, or verbal abuse. White shirts are used to memorilize loved ones who were killed by their perpetrator. Many of those who have created a shirt have told us that the experience was an important step in their healing process and that they felt better for having made it. For anyone interested in making a shirt or to obtain more information about the "Clothesline Project of H.U.G.S. II " please contact Betsy Hocking at 508-230-3309.
Betsy Hocking is the director of the "Clothesline Project of H.U.G.S. II
