ISSUE

01 2009

NOA NEWS NOA Children’s Program By Tori Owens Voices of Hope NOA Children’s Advocate I was working late one evening at the said as I patted the rocking chair and looking so much like the nerv- when the front gate buzzed seat and then plopped myself down ous little boy from nearly five years loudly. I shot a glance at the security in the other one. ago. “Yeah, that would be just fine camera but couldn’t make out who it with me.” was in the dim light. Pressing the “I ride by on my bike sometimes. I intercom button, I cautiously asked, saw your car and decided to stop Some nights I work late at the “May I help you?” A teenage boy’s this time. I just wanted to say hey…” shelter. It is not unusual for me to be voice croaked back, “It’s me… typing at the computer or talking on *David…is that you, Miss Tori?” *David warily said as he looked the crisis line and hear, “Hey, Miss Tori!”, only to look out and see a *David. He was the first child I scrawny teenage boy in a knit cap worked with as a children’s advocate “ Sometimes, we remain a quiet and sunglasses showing off doing nearly four and a half years ago. I touchstone even after all these years...” figure eights with his bike out front. I was quickly swept back in time to grin and wave. He grins and waves. hours spent discussing buried emo- tions and feelings about what he had across the street to the other houses Sometimes, we’re a way station, a seen and heard his father do to his there. new beginning, a turning point. mother but also honest worries and Sometimes, we remain a quiet fears about growing up to become “I’m so glad you did. Your mom was touchstone even after all these years “just like his father.” the first person I remember talking reminding boys who are now half to on the crisis line and bringing into way grown up they’re still not “*David!” I exclaimed as I threw shelter.” alone.— *name changed open the front door and pressed the buzzer to the gate. “I know. And I just wanted to say - if I didn’t tell you then and you didn’t “Miss Tori,” he answered with a know – it meant a lot to me staying INSIDE sheepish grin. His knit cap was here. I won’t ever forget it. Talking with you – I won’t ever forget it. REFLECTIONS 2 pulled low over his brow hugging his OF HOPE skull with that thin, alternative skate- You’ll never know what it meant to boarder look - so grown up from me.” He said as he tentatively years before that I wouldn’t have glanced my way. COMMUNITY 3 recognized him if I passed him on PARTNERS the street. But, looking closely his “I think I have a little bit better idea grin and eyes were the very same. now. Thank you for telling me.” THANKS TO 3 OUR DONORS “It’s so good to see you,” I said as we “Miss Tori, would it be okay with you hugged and was startled to find he – if I see your car here and all – to say hey or wave?” He asked as he 2008 4 was as tall as me. “Come sit with me AT A GLANCE a minute. Tell me how you are,” I looked down at untied shoelaces

MISSION STATEMENT

NOA provides safe haven and support services for victims of family violence. Through educational programs, NOA works to foster attitudes in the community that violence is not acceptable. EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SUPPORT SERVICES Page 2

MOVING BEYOND CRISIS– A LETTER OF HOPE

Dear NOA family, I was sitting here at and staring out of the window in amazement as to how far my life has come since 2/15/08. One year ago today, my husband had left me stranded and terrified. Coming to the shelter was a very humbling experience. It is hard to describe what it is like to have to start your life over again with little more than the most important things in life....my children. Despite my husband's attempt to remove all love from my life, he actually made me stronger. Of course, I didn’t think so at the time. What he couldn’t have ever realized is that his action put into motion the events that would lead me to learn to love the person I had loved the least...myself. It didn’t come over night but it did come. NOA gave me the tools to be able to love me and that is a gift I could never appreciate more. Today, I have my own home, a new job making more than I have ever made, and a heart that is reopened to the world. My children are happy and healthy. We are going to be ok. I cannot thank you all enough for giving me my life back. Without your help, I can’t imagine what would have become of my children and myself. Because of you, we are happy.

Sincerely,

*Caroline (name changed for confidentiality)

How You can Help Assist Victims— Making a donation to NOA (No One Alone) is easy. PHILOSOPHY

• Mail a donation in the enclosed return envelope. (add postage) NOA is guided by principles of honesty, • Call 706-864-1306 x 1 to make a donation by phone. integrity and respect • Visit our secure website at www.noonealone.org to make an online dona- for others while tion by Credit Card or PayPal. empowering victims to take control of • Designate your gift as a memorial to or in honor of someone special. their lives. We will be sure to make the family or honoree aware of your gift with a presentation card announcing your gift to NOA. FG

NOA is dependent on funding and donations to ensure that “No One is Alone” and “No One” has to return to a violent situation. Turn to page 4 to donate online and help save lives here in your community. 2009 DERBY GALA AT COTTRELL RANCH Page 3

2009 Angel Award Recipient Mrs. Betty Dunn, in memory of Lowell S. Dunn, was selected to receive the 2009 NOA “Dr. John Owen” Angel Award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the NOA shelter and the caring 2009 NOA Board Members support of its programs. The award was presented to their son, Lowell Dunn, Jr., who accepted the plaque on her behalf, by NOA Pictured left to right, front row: Wayne Watson, Keela Clemmons, Charity Cagle, Director Marina Barron and NOA Board Chair, Charity Cagle. Lari Lynn Beyer, Mike Grafstein, Back row: Kim Cottrell, Jessica Cambron, Linda Howarth, Robin Fender, Jeanne Hoag, Becky Mooney

fÑxv|tÄ g{tÇ~á àÉ ÉâÜ {Éáà bâÜ [xtÜàyxÄà TÑÑÜxv|tà|ÉÇ àÉ bâÜ Corporate Sponsors `|~x tÇw _çÇÇ VÉààÜxÄÄ Platinum Lowell S. Dunn Diamond Lynn and Mike Cottrell Gold Achasta Chef Kern D. G. Yuengling & Son Dr. and Mrs. Al Parker Geneva Betzold Artistic Printing Timken Walmart of Dahlonega Silver Chestatee Regional Hospital Clay Christy Crown Mountain Women’s Health Dahlonega Rotary Club McDonald’s of Northeast Rollins Signs State Farm Insurance - Donna Minnich —2009 NOA Gala Sponsors— United Community Bank Dahlonega West Cleaners Pictured from left to right: front row: Becky Mooney (Timken), Bronze Geneva Betzold, Donna Minnich (State Farm), Dr. Amber French (Crown Spec-Takular Boutique of Dawsonville Mountain Women’s Health), Mike and Lynn Cottrell. Back row: Lowell Dunn, Jr., Larry Odom (United Community Bank), Appalachian Community Bank Clay Christy, Denita Cox and Jeanne Hoag (Chestatee Regional Hospital). American Proteins of Cumming J. Thomas Salon

2009 DERBY GALA —SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION SPONSORS Page 4

Live Auction Donors Silent Auction Donors Silent Auction Donors Gold Rush Gallery Chestatee Animal Hospital Memories Florist Studio Jewelers Chestatee Golf Club Men of Grace, Inc. Robert and Joan Grafstein Chick-fil-A Dawsonville Michael Cottrell Photography AirTran Churchill Downs Moto 400 Southwest Airlines Coldwater Creek Nantahala Outdoor Center The Big Green Egg Corkscrew Cafe Nature’s Health Store Becky Mooney Creative Visions Salon Office Pros D.G. Yuengling & Son Curves of Dawsonville Papa Joe’s Cajun Wetland Fishing The Gold Shop Dad’s Garage Theater Pampered Chef Pat Huntoon Dahlonega Animal Hospital Parks Clothing Papa Joe’s Cajun Wetlands Fishing Dahlonega Chiropractic Life Center Paula Deen Win Crannell Dahlonega Healing Arts Pet Goods—Dahlonega Dog Zindler’s Sports Collectibles Dana Whitfield Pura Vida Dawsonville Art and Frame Randy Autry Silent Auction Donors Designed to Move Personal Training Relax Massage Dollywood Sagebrush Creations—Karen Parks Vulcan Elvie Mooney Sense of Pride Penn State Athletic Association Equity Leadership Group Shakespeare Tavern Sandestin Resort Family Counseling of North Georgia Southern Living Steele Stain Glass Fernbank Spec-Takular Boutique 3by400 Food Lion of Dawsonville Park 5th Ranger Training Battalion Fragments Sun Tan Accent Travel Frank Kunkel and Son Jewelers Sylvan Learning Center Achasta Gabee’s Cajun Restaurant Teresa Adams –artist All About Sports Georgia Mountain Fair The Drake Place Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge Georgia Sea Turtle Center The Gold Shop Amy Ray GAP Timex Anne Amerson Great Fynds Tower Automotive Anytime Fitness Great Smokey Mountain Railroad Trackrock Stables Around Back at Rocky’s Place Harry’s Farmers Market UGA Athletic Association Ballet High Museum of Art Uncle John’s Attic Atlanta Botanical Gardens Holly Theater Waffle House Atlanta Falcons Home Depot Waterford / Wedgewood Crystal Atlanta History Center John Beckworth Wild Adventures Atlanta Rocks Joe Piper Wild Animal Safari Atlanta Symphony Orchestra John Megal Chevrolet Wild Bird’s Unlimited Bear’s Den Jungle Paradise and Landscaping Wildwater Ltd. Becky Mooney Just Plum Perfect Windstream Belle Avance Salon Karen Ryder Win Crannell Black’s Mill Elementary School Kroger of Dawsonville Wolf Mountain Vineyards Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Len Foote Hike Inn World of Coca-Cola Boomerang Lifetime Bikes D.G. Yuengling & Son Brenda Steele Littlefield Cottage Zoo Atlanta Brogdon CPA Lollipop Toy Store Cavender Creek Cabins Lookout Mountain Flight Park Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta If we have failed to mention anyone Mary Kay—Cathy Crook it is not intentional, we thank you Cesar Milan Foundation and offer our sincere apologies. LIVE UNITED Page 5

What does it mean to LIVE UNITED? Underneath everything we are, Underneath everything we do, We are all connected. Interdependent. United. When we reach out a hand to one, We influence the condition of all.

That’s what it means to The Dahlonega Rotary Club recently recognized and honored NOA by LIVE UNITED presenting Marina Barron, NOA’s Executive Director and Rotarian,

Our heartfelt thanks to United Way of a check from the club for $1,500. (L to R) Jason Cox, Geoffrey Kridel, Dawson and Lumpkin Counties for your Jere Allen, Marina Barron, Eddie Wayne, Donna Minnich and Shirley Goff-Eisele.

continued financial support.

JEMC Foundation Grant presented to Director, Marina Barron by Bill Hardman and Bill Sanders THE YOUTH OF OAK FOREST SUBDIVISION, DAWSONVILLE NOA has been awarded a $ 10,000 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation to help fund Trauma Counseling. Grants are made The youth of Oak Forest Subdivision, organized and possible by JEMC members’ contributions to the Operation Round Up program, which rounds up electric bills of participat- collected pantry and toiletry needs for the NOA shelter. ing members to the next dollar mount and uses the spare change to do charitable work.

—THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS—

Nordson Foundation — grant for shelter operating expenses

Big Canoe Women's Guild — grant to address the effects of trauma

Big Canoe Chapel — for their on-going financial support

Sunshine Lady Foundation

Resources International Council (Ric Rack)

W.G. Stephens &Associates

Betty Harder and Associates Inc.

Dr. John Raber and his efforts to raise money through the Caring People Restaurant Henry Neal Charitable Foundation NOA NEWS Bulk Rate NOA- No One Alone US Postage Paid P. O. Box 685 Permit No. 29 Dahlonega GA 30533 Dahlonega GA

CRISIS LINE: 706-864-1986 Administration: 706-864-1306 Legal Advocacy: 706-864-0030 Shelter: 706-867-6420 Website: www.noonealone.org

2009 NOA BOARD DEMAND FOR VICTIM SERVICES INCREASES BY 22% IN 2008 OF DIRECTORS

Charity Cagle, Chair State funding was cut by 11% during 2008, increasing the despair of domestic violence Linda Howarth, Treasurer victims and making individual donor support more important than ever. Turn to pg.2 to see how your support helped one family. Becky Mooney, Secretary DIRECTORS SERVICE STATISTICS Community Outreach Program: This program Kim Cottrell FOR 2008 provided community education on dynamics of domestic violence and services available at NOA to: criminal Lari Lyn Beyer

justice and social service agencies, schools, colleges, Jeanne Hoag 1000 Victims Served civic organizations, churches, and other groups. In 2008, NOA staff spoke to 82 groups— a total of 1126 Mike Grafstein 1538 Crisis Calls attended the sessions. Wayne Watkins 2714 Shelter Bednights Volunteers: 114 active volunteers contributed 2,589 Jessica Cambron hours to the shelter program, children’s program, and 1824 Client Referrals The Bargain Shop. The members of the Board of Robin Fender Directors contributed 1,176 hours. 527 Counseling Sessions Jeff Davis NOA’s Bargain Shop: The thrift store provided direct Keela Brown 149 Protective Orders client assistance to 233 “at risk” families. Assistance consisted of furniture, clothing, household items, etc. Stacy Jarrard Lynne Goebeler

NOA News is published quarterly and printed by Artistic Printing. SUPPORTING MEMBER

In keeping with our confidentiality policy, children pictured are those of our volunteers and friends. Debbie Lowe