DONATIONS MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND! (and they are FUN too!)

I guess you could say I have “Santa Claus” DNA. One of my most favorite aspects of Sue Rock Originals Everyone is the presentation of donations. The process of sharing much needed essentials to women of courage is rewarding and so powerful.

The domestic violence experience for millions of people is humiliating. Heart wrenching stories of abuse abound our airwaves and newspaper. But when a person has the opportunity to leave – the shame might not stop there.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone seeks to include everyone in the upliftment of women who have made the enormous step to envision a new life for themselves.

This Tuesday, we look forward to sharing the beautiful donations from:

Photographer Tal Shpantzer – MAYBELLINE COSMETICS

LUSH COSMETICS

Ariela Alpha Intimates

Berry Jewelry

And handcrafted goodies galore!!

All this is going to the wonderful women who are living in residences run by the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Service.

From their website:

JBFCS is New York City’s largest provider of human services. We base our work on one core belief: changing behavior can change lives for the better. And here’s what happens when that simple idea meets up with our 35,000 clients: greater wellness and independence for our 35,000 clients and everyone connected to them — friends, co-workers, parents, children, siblings, neighbors…all of us. That is a lot of people. That is why this 100-year-old agency is a cherished NYC asset — a catalyst for making the world a better place.

If you or someone you know is in need of domestic violence services The Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Service domestic violence services are located here.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.
Our work continues through YOUR donations.
Give and give generously to keep this vital work going!
Donations can be received through Paypal at suerockoriginals(at)yahoo.com.

Domestic Violence Shelter Spotlight! – The Center Against Domestic Violence

There was a time…..not that long ago

When Domestic Violence Shelters/Residences and Safe Houses did not exist!  Women had no recourse but to leave town or stay for years with their abuse.  It was through the strength of the Women’s Movement of mid 1970’s that organizations began to develop and speak to the need of women who were suffering.  Early responses to these victims’ needs relied exclusively upon the voluntary efforts of battered women’s advocates. Until shelters were established, volunteers often used their own homes as makeshift places of refuge for women and children. The first shelters opened their doors in the early to mid-1970s, and provided temporary housing, free food and clothing, social support, and legal assistance. Founders often maintained secrecy regarding the locations of these shelters for the protection of the residents.

The Center Against Domestic Violence began at a “speak out” in Brooklyn in 1976 where more than a hundred women told how their lives had been turned upside down by domestic violence. One thing became clear: There was no place where mothers could flee to safety with their children. In fact, it was against regulations to bring a child to the “unfit” environment of a shelter. A group of trailblazing women—domestic violence victims, survivors and advocates—set out to change all that and the Center was born.

The Center’s Women’s Survival Space, a place where abused women and their children could find safety, was the first of its kind in the State and is now the longest operating domestic violence emergency shelter in New York. Today the Center houses up to 1,000 women and children each year in three emergency shelters.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone taught residents of the Center Against Domestic Violence in the sewing, knitting and crocheting at their Brooklyn studio.  It was a wonderful experience – teaching women how to make their own garments and accessories.  The classes grew from 8 to 18, as women left with a renewed level of self-esteem and personal accomplishment!

If you or someone you know is in need of domestic violence services The Center Against Domestic Violence is located in Brooklyn, New York – their number is (718) 254-9134

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization and we exist through YOUR donations. Give and give generously to keep this vital work going for women who are ready to begin to live again! Donations can be received through Paypal at suerockoriginals(at)yahoo.com.

Repairing lives……one stitch at a time…….

So the time has finally come –
You run out while doing laundry, pick up the Duane Reade bag with all of your important documents from your friend’s car and tearfully never look back……

Two months later, in a safe house –  you look at this tattered Duane Reade bag that now is barely able to hold your most important documents
and think.. is this what my life has become?

This is the situation for so many people who leave the domestic violence in their homes.  Studies report that it takes a person SEVEN times before they make the final step to leave everything familiar in order to start a new life.  Some people have prepared for months, waiting for just the right opportunity.  When that opportunity comes, many have only the clothing they are wearing.  When a domestic violence survivor leaves their abuser, their danger increases tenfold. 

Domestic Violence shelters, residences and safe houses are wonderful resources, but what happens in the months after settling in?  After all the appointments are made and the identification is changed, what has happens to this person’s quality of life?

This is where Sue Rock Originals Everyone steps in.
We teach how to create a quality of life that a woman may have only imagined.
And we show how to do it with her own hands!

Imagine…..with the skills, some yarn and a few rides on the subway, you can knit or crochet a beautiful bag that will last up to 10 years?

For a beginner to machine sewing? A wonderful sturdy Tote bag, great for everything from legal appointments to open school night can be made in a mere two hours!

By teaching these skills – carefully and consistently, we have seen survivors of domestic violence gain a sense of hope about their future.  It is as if each choice of color or fabric, re-establishes the choices they made to leave.  Each stitch sewn creates a step into a brand new future!

So just what CAN domestic violence victims do?

Time and again – in the press and in public conversations, the topic of domestic violence is in our living rooms. Without personal knowledge of the realities – people often ask “Why don’t they just leave?” This, as we know is a farce. Even in the best situation with a wonderful relationship and opportunities in abundance, a person can rarely just leave their home….

One of the most difficult experiences is coming to terms with the reality of bad relationship gone horrible wrong. According to the New York State Coalition of Domestic Violence:

• Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior/tactics that is culturally learned, socially condoned, and is perpetrated by one person against their intimate partner. Types of abuse can include physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. Domestic violence can also be perpetrated by and/or against a member of the same family or household.
• Domestic violence is not limited to specific groups based on race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation, or social location, but rather is perpetrated by abusers from all social groups.
  http://www.nyscadv.org/types-of-abuse

Becoming aware that you are in a relationship of this type can be frightening. Men and women each have to come to their own choices as to what strategy is best for them in their situation.

If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation – get help!
Some of the organizations based in New York City we work with are :
Safe Horizon
Center Against Domestic Violence
Sanctuary for Families
The Family Justice Center
AND THIS JUST IN – If you are an American overseas in an abusive situation:
The American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
Next Month we will look at preparation a domestic violence survivor has to do JUST to get ready for that big step….

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2015 IS GOING TO BE GREAT!

So excited about 2015 – this marks our tenth year since the idea of creating an organization to help women who are survivors of domestic violence.

2015 will mean greater outreach. In the Fall of 2013, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet the Deputy Director of Domestic Violence for New York City, Marie Philip. Director Philip endorses the work of Sue Rock Originals Everyone and we will be working with all of the domestic violence shelters in the New York City area.

Assistant Angela Sinclair and Deputy Comissioner, Office of Domestic Violence for NYC Marie Philip

Men and women who save lives are welcoming us into their residences.  We will be giving women a new lease on life with donations and classes throughout the year!

Representatives and Directors for Domestic Violence shelters in New York City

Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner Angela Sinclair and SRO Founder Sue Rock!

You can look forward to us posting more frequently (also on Facebook and Instagram!) – so make sure you’re following us everywhere!  We want your input more than ever this year and will be asking for you to participate in volunteer events, donation drives and parties!

If you would like to hear more about Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc. and want to be more involved, contact us at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization – make your financial contribution to help give women a new lease on life!  Donations are appreciated via Paypal at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!