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Show Wednesday. February 22. 2006 B1 Women needs By Mandii Thomas Express Writer ! The Vernal City Council recently put out a request for bids to remodel and expand the Women's Crisis Center (WCC). Three companies reportedly showed interest, but only one of those submitted a bid. Unfortunately, that bid, at $129,626, is nearly $80,000 over the amount allotted for the project 1 The state of Utah is home to over two and a half million people. According to the Utah Department of Health, it is estimated esti-mated that every year 40,000 women in Utah are physically assaulted by an intimate partner, part-ner, and 194,000 women are subjected sub-jected to emotional abuse. An average of 11 women in Utah die each year as a result of violence vio-lence by an intimate partner. Yet, in the entire state, there are only 16 shelters for women. The focus of the WCC's program pro-gram is to "first, provide protection pro-tection and prevention through education and intervention; to eliminate the physical, psychological, psy-chological, and sexual abuse between cohabitating partners, and to reduce the effects of domestic violence on children." According to a news release from the WCC, the education and support provided for victims vic-tims includes, but is not limited lim-ited to: dynamics of domestic violence, safety planning, the effects of domestic violence on children, legal information and referrals, court advocacy, protective pro-tective orders, and assistance including casework services and follow-up as necessary after they leave the shelter. - Lilyan Baker, the Program Coordinator for the Women's Crisis Center, says that children chil-dren who are exposed to domestic abuse at an early age will often mirror the actions of the perpetrator later on in life. Statistics on the Utah Department of Health's website, web-site, found at health.utah.gov., state that 1 in 5 children will hear or see verbal abuse, and 1 in 14 will hear or see physical abuse. Exposure to family violence vio-lence is considered a risk factor fac-tor for long-term physical and mental health problems. A large percentage of women who come to the WCC are also victims of what Baker terms "economic injustice." One of the many blankeb donated to VerniUah H I SWestMam, ICutstanding Agents. OutstaD&ig ResultsTI Expressions Basin Life 's Shelter seeing increase; community support Perpetrators of domestic abuse typically try to separate their victim from family and friends in an effort to keep control of the situation. Victims often are not allowed to work, which further cuts them off from the world outside. When these women finally break away from the abuser, they find themselves with virtually no resources. They often have no job, no mode of transportation, transporta-tion, no money, and no place to live. Many women end up going back to a bad situation because they can't see a way to support themselves when they are out of it. Financial injustices injus-tices to women also result from non-lethal domestic violence in the form of medical expenses, property losses, and lost wages. These financial losses are estimated esti-mated to be around $150 million mil-lion per year. One of the goals of the shelter shel-ter is to emphasize the importance impor-tance of good parenting skills. Often when a woman enters the shelter with her child or children, chil-dren, she is so overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted by her situation that it is all she can do to maintain her responsibilities respon-sibilities as a parent. The WCC works to teach clients how to help their children through this difficult transition by spending as much time as possible with them, whether they are playing, play-ing, reading, doing laundry or cooking meals. The shelter serves the entire tri-county area. At present, they can accommodate nine individuals. It sounds like a lot, but when you think that children account for a large portion of that number, it's not that many. In the year 2004, the shelter housed 33 women and 39 children. The average stay at the shelter is 30 days. There are only two bedrooms for clients. Each bedroom contains a single sin-gle bed and a set of bunk beds. A common area features a convertible con-vertible sofa that can be used if necessary, but its location limits lim-its privacy for the occupant. No one is ever turned away from the shelter. "We are committed com-mitted to not letting anyone fall through the cracks," says Baker. She and her staff will do whatever it takes to ensure that there is a safe space for anyone any-one in need; but often, making room for everyone puts a strain on their limited resources. Hie Women's Shelter. 4I M 11fiad Making her afraid by ' using looks, acton, and . jf gestures. Smashaig X Jr things. Destroying her y property. Abusing pets. - I Displaying weapons. M j0 "" ' y''" 1 - PuglrVaU. T I Jr to bad abutter 1( j IWNNt.ask:. 3t PHUPD . hrtBfB)ina);i; ;t rUVVLlX V Hdnalw.iilurtUf AND " . ; 1 Pt9mtmimvC:i LUN KUL Grtngiretoet I , sees art) lata to, wr she reeds, I morQMighariniZ.Tc. X. wiimtm.UMntim J I I Taking har money Notice her w VX 'ljy Y know about or nam sceeaito S ' t Njusttyacaor. ,- I V fsmfty income. J? I uSSiG CHILDREN: Making her teetguBy about X. ...... f I cnikta.Usrtalcrnto y r wy manages, Using weHa- -xx I iw)harawiW.Tnraa1erg N. totatoicMdrenaway. The Power and Control diagram illustrates an overall pattern of abusive behavior. They are currently encountering encounter-ing a large number of homeless women and children. Many of these have followed husbands or boyfriends to the area in search of work in the oil fields, only to be abandoned here, far from family and friends. The expansion would enable the shelter to accommodate more women and children. Baker and the rest of the staff also work to teach clients cli-ents life and job skills. For many clients, this is their first venture into the job market. Unfortunately, if a client needs to use a computer to work on her resume or apply for jobs online, a staff member must be present in the room. The only computer available for these tasks is the one used by staff for administrative purposes. Plans for the expansion include a multi-media room where clients cli-ents can use a separate computer comput-er whenever they need to. Complications also arise from the fact that very few cli Eve icarkets. And we care e" "fet'V : I At' 7 (M$&$1 r U U UU U UA V - ...... I .V Wheredoywanttobe?WhctwitL, . . .... -.-fc- , L ents have their own form of transportation. In the past, they have used vouchers for taxis, the only form of public transportation trans-portation available in the community. com-munity. Due to the increases in gas prices, use of those vouchers vouch-ers has had to be limited. Another need that has been very recently addressed is that of clients' pets. With the women's wom-en's shelter so often full, and the complexities of so many personalities in emotionally stressful situations, pets have been something that can't be accommodated. Baker says that there have been clients who have felt unable to leave a dangerous dan-gerous situation out of fear for their pet's safety. The Uintah County Animal Shelter came up with a way to help. They are offering a week of care for pets whose families enter the crisis center. At the end of the week, if no other arrangements have been made, they will work with local veterinarians to try and find a place where the pet F rem the Utah Domestic Violence Councl brochure. estate dreanu car t tr' can be cared for until it can be reunited with its family. Donations for the WCC are always appreciated. Baker says that they often receive handmade blankets and quilts, which are given to women and their children when they leave the shelter. Children also get a stuffed animal to take with them. Donation drop-offs can be coordinated through DCFS. They can be reached at 781-4250. 781-4250. If you would like to contribute con-tribute but don't know what to give, gift cards for local stores are a good idea. Baker wants members of the community to know how much their services are valued, val-ued, and how important they are to the program. "We are especially grateful for Vernal City and their willingness to be our partner in addressing this (expansion) issue. It truly takes a village; and you, all of our community partners, are an awesome village." . 11 ) Community Calendar February 22 Story Time 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30 at the Uintah County Library. Library Board meeting 11 a.m. "Using the Family History Library Catalog" presented by Veronica Stearmer, 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Family History Center. Popcorn, PJs, and Reading Radio, 6 p.m. at the Uintah County Library. Kundalini Yoga series, presented by the Uintah Recreation District Beginners Begin-ners are welcome. Bring a wool blanket and a cushion. Series classes will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and will run from Feb. 22 through April 12. The cost is $48 a series. For more information, contact the Uintah Recreation District at 781-0982, or stop by the office at 134 West Main, Suite 101. "Advanced Focus Filter" presented by Becky Richards, 7 p.m. at the Family History Center. Sign-up required. February 23 "Advanced Focus Filter" presented by Becky Richards, 10 a.m. at the Family History Center. Sign-up required. "Immigration Routes in the United States - Part 2" presented pre-sented by Cliff Tobler, 7 p.m. at the Family History Center. February 24 Uintah County 4-H Shooting Club sign-up meeting to be held at Mark Partridge's home, 2336 S. 2000 E., Fri. Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. Call 781-0007 for more info. Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8-10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides pro-vides the music. February 25 Storytelling Club 2-4 p.m. at the Uintah County Library. Looking for members. Join us on the last Saturday of every month. For more information, informa-tion, contact Melinda at the 27 The Big Fix Mobile Discount Spay and Neuter Van will be at Milt's Parking lot Feb. 27. To pre-register, call 789-2367 "That Darn Cat" movie and popcorn, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the Uintah County Library. February 28 The Big Fix Mobile Discount Spay & Neuter Van will be in Roosevelt at Stewart's Market Feb. 28. There is no pre-reg-istration. It is based on first come, first served. People should be in line by 8 a.m. Lap Time at the Uintah County Library. March 1 Uintah Schools Foundation Teacher and Contributor Recognition Social and Banquet, 6 p.m. in the Uintah High School Cafeteria. Public is welcome. Tickets are $12 at Bittercreek Books in advance, or $15 at the door. Pre-Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Diabetes Prevention lecture, in the conference con-ference room on the ground floor of the Medical Office Building adjoining AVMC. Dr. Shaun Shurtliff will be speaking. Lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. and attendance is free. March 3 Uintah School District will be offering the GED Test March 3rd & 4th at the Uintah School District Office, 635 W. 200 S. Those interested need to fill out an application at Ashley Valley Education Center, 250 S. Vernal ave. by 4 p.m. Thursday, March 2. The test fee is $55 with retakes available for $llsubtest For questions, contact Elaine Gardiner at 781-3100 ext 2820. To place items of public interest in the Community Calendar, cad 789-3511 789-3511 or email them to editortvernaL com. |