Summer 2017 Newsletter FAMILY SUPPORT C E N T E R Elder Abuse Awareness Month stating or assuming that the survivor E lder abuse. It’s a term you is confused, forgetful, or unsure of might be familiar with, but it’s reality. This can lead to those same certainly not something we dis- people taking away the survivor’s Every year, over cuss on a regular basis. In fact, it decision-making abilities by placing often makes people uncomforta- them in a nursing home and/or ap- 4 million older ble. Yet, in order to make chang- pointing powers of attorney and Americans are victims of es, we need to confront and leave powers of health care. Elders often elder abuse behind that uneasy feeling, the face the inability to locate services silence, and the ‘deer-in-the- that can provide care for their headlights’ look. This is an im- unique needs from the abuse, or they Only portant topic and it is too perva- may feel that services can’t meet sive to not talk about. their needs; there is inadequate pub- 1 out of 24 One of the reasons that we as a lic awareness and funds for this is- cases of elder abuse society don’t like to talk about sue, too, compounding the inability is reported elder abuse (also known as abuse to find services. Also, elders tend to in later life) is because, like any have a limited, set income which form of abuse, we want to believe can affect their ability to get out or In Chippewa county in that it doesn’t happen in our fam- get help. Many also have greater 2016, 220 cases of elder ily, our neighborhood, or our medical needs or health limitations community. that make them even more depend- abuse were screened in. Elders experiencing abuse ent on their abuser. This is nearly 100 more face unique challenges. Often These barriers, and more, exist than in 2015 times they face isolation due to for the aging. Let us do our part to the aging and dying of their fami- diminish one of them: silence. Let Abusers can include ly and friends. Even when a sur- us all have these conversations. Let vivor does leave an abusive situa- us all be able to recognize the signs anyone a victim tion, because their support system and symptoms that someone may be trusts, such as a partner is aging, they may have nowhere in an abusive situation. Let us all or spouse, caregiver, child, to turn and domestic violence support those survivors and help shelters are often not designed for them bust through those barriers so or other family member older victims. Another challenge that they can be happy, healthy, and elders face is that the abusive per- free from violence. That’s all any- Violence can occur at son may be a child, which chal- one really wants. We deserve this at any stage of life. lenges the notion that they can any age and at any point in our lives. actually leave that situation. Fre- ~Cara Abuse signs and symptoms quently, professionals wave an Domestic Violence Advocate are similar regardless of older survivor’s complaints away age , Page 2 Family Support Center

The Staff… Executive Director Neaux Violence at Eaux Claires! Geri For the third consecutive year, Fam- to feel safe and comfortable talking Assistant Administrator Sue ily Support Center was honored to about violence. Many were even be a participant in the Eaux moved to share stories of their own Receptionist, Administrative Assistant Glori Claires Festival: a celebration of experiences with violence, and ex- art in all its forms, which drew over pressed gratitude for our presence Resource Development 15,000 people to Eau Claire on June at the festival. Coordinator Lori 16 and 17 and featured such inter- nationally recognized musicians as Although the main goal of 2 A Bil- Domestic Violence Program Director Bon Iver, John Prine, Chance the lion: Neaux Violence was raising Jeni awareness, we were taken aback Rapper, Sylvan Esso, Feist, Paul Domestic Violence Advocates Simon, and Wilco. by the outpouring of generosity Cara from Eaux Claires community Erica Since 2015, Family Support Center partners and festival-goers alike. Domestic Violence Youth Advocate and sibling agency Embrace, with The Oxbow Hotel auctioned off a Mattie help from the U.S. National Kubb room-and-festival package to bene-

Sexual Assault Victim Services Championship, have come together fit 2 A Billion: Neaux Violence. Coordinators as the collaborative project Neaux Middle West Management orga- Blythe Violence to share our work at Eaux nized a raffle of artist-signed post- Amanda S. Claires. In 2017, we had the added ers. And Ambient Inks donated the Parent Services Provider fortune of partnering with 2 A Bil- proceeds from their limited edition Stephanie lion, a campaign created by the artist and festival posters. All told, Prevention Educator Grammy Award-winning Chippewa over $15,000 was raised, and we Kathryn Valley natives behind Bon Iver, to are as thankful as we are amazed!

Parent Services Program Director end gender inequality, domestic vio- Becce lence, and sexual abuse. To get a taste of what those incred- ible two days were like, please visit River Source Parent Services Provider Our approach was simple: Eaux our Neaux Violence Twitter Amanda L. Claires guests visited our booth on (@neaux_violence) and Instagram Family Support & Resource Coordinator the festival site, learned to play (@neauxviolence). You will find Shannon Kubb (a Scandinavian lawn game stories from our time at Eaux ATODA Prevention for which Eau Claire proudly serves Claires as well as photos featuring Coordinators as the North American Capitol 2 A Billion: Neaux Violence volun- Deb Nancy City), and talked with us about our teers, Eaux Claires festival guests, frontline work to end domestic vio- and artists like The Staves, UWEC Center for Awareness of Sexual lence and sexual assault. Although Guante, Sean Carey, members of Assault (CASA) Victim Services Coordinator pairing the lighthearted competition Polica, and Zach Hanson Amanda M. and camaraderie of Kubb with a top- (musician and son of longtime FSC ic as serious as ours seemed unusual supporters Joann and Mark Contact us… to some, we found it created the per- Hanson)! (715) 723-1138 fect setting – one that emphasized ~Amanda S. or 1-800-400-7020 community and self-care – for guests Sexual Assault Victim Services Coordinator Fax: (715) 723-8460 www.familysupportcentercf.com Playgroups are on the move at River Source Family Center!

Tuesday morning playgroups turn Cornell. Parent Café, which began 2017 FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER- into Traveling Tuesdays in the in the spring in Chippewa Falls, BOARD OF DIRECTORS summer at River Source Family has also traveled to Cornell and Teresa Germain, Sherrie Dachel Center! Field trip locations include Stanley this summer. Watch for President Terri Hernandez Klinger’s Farm Market, Chippewa our fall Parent Café series coming Pastor Terri Koca, Jeanne Fox Falls library, the new Fire Station, to River Source Family Center! Vice President Stella Clark as well as other locations around If you would like more information Mary Rose Willi, Dena Manier the Chippewa Valley. River Source about the programs at River Source Treasurer David Schaller Family Center is reaching rural Family Center, please contact us at Lynda Olson, Joe Nelson areas of Chippewa County, offering Secretary Mark Hanson 715-720-1841 or go to: Joan Coffman (Emeritus) playgroups in Bloomer, Stanley, and riversourcefamilycenter.com

Family Support Center Page 3 Family Support Center NON PROFIT P.O. Box 143 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI PERMIT NO. 399 715-723-1138 or 1-800-400-7020

The Family Support Center is an equal opportunity agency. The Family Support Center celebrates the diversity of all people and does not discriminate in any manner on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, ability, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. The Family Support Center’s programs are funded in part by United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley.

Thank you to the following nd Save the Date! October 22 2017 churches and businesses for your donations of money and Carson Park Pine Pavilion items for clients of Family Support Center this quarter. Registration and check-in starts at 11:00 Walk begins at Noon United Methodist Church of Bloomer Join us as we walk a mile in support Longview Homemakers, Wheaton of individuals who have experienced Township. Member of HCE domestic violence and sexual assault. Faith Fellowship, Trinity United Methodist Church of Chippewa We are in need of the following items for client use. Falls Please drop off items at Family Support Center. Pizza Plus “Pass the Hat” donations With a little help you, too, can make a difference! Chippewa Falls Lion’s Club Northwestern Bank’s Denim Day  Gas gift cards  School supplies  Tampons Elks Ladies of Chippewa Falls  Grocery gift cards  Facial tissue  Cleaning disinfecting Lodge  Sunscreen  Baby wipes wipes Mayo Clinic Health Systems and  Mosquito repellent  Toilet paper  Hand sanitizer QISC, Inc. for their Matching Funds  Dixie cups  Paper towels  Baby socks donation. What a great way to  Healthy snacks  33 gal. garbage bags  Young Girls Under- double your donation!! (cereal, peanut  Dish soap wear (new) butter, apple sauce,  Large latex-free  Paper plates Donating Is Easy! crackers, raisins) plastic gloves  Plastic spoons  Stickers Visit our website: familysupportcentercf.com **We are looking for volunteers to help with phones in our office one or two Thursdays per month. If interested, please call Lori at 715-723-1138. And click on Donate!