Category: Press Release

Letter to the Editor

Jennifer Gabrenya Press Release Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
As incidents of domestic violence continue to be ever present in our local media, we feel compelled to continue lifting up the realities of abuse and inform our communities that there is help available. As providers of both domestic violence services for victims and services to help those who use violence to stop their abuse, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia and Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse are especially sensitive to the needs of each group and want the community to be reminded that domestic violence comes in all forms. Domestic violence, at the core, is all about exerting power and control over another person. It is never OK. Every nine seconds a woman is beaten, yet despite increased awareness of domestic violence, it continues to be a public health crisis.

Domestic violence can impact anyone.

The Crisis Center for South Suburbia and Anew are here to support victims of domestic violence in the south cook and eastern will county communities. We provide services to those directly and indirectly impacted by domestic violence. We serve those who have been harmed and we also have services for those who have done harm. Our agencies share a believe that change is possible and that change we work to bring forward is a world free from abuse.

We need your help, as a community, to make sure that people in need are aware of our services. People need to be able to find us when they are in trouble before another life is lost or traumatized. If you are a victim of domestic violence and don’t feel safe, we are here to help. If you feel isolated and alone because someone is controlling you, reach out. Call our 24-hotline for support, emergency shelter, resources, or just to talk. Our help and services are free and confidential.

If you are hurting your partner or fear that you might be, you can contact our agencies to learn more about Partner Abuse Intervention services.

Call 708-335-3028 or visit www.anewdv.org Call 708-429-SAFE or visit www.crisisctr.org.

Annual Homewood art project: Benches for Change support SSFS

Rachel Forsyth Press Release Leave a comment

By: Carole Sharwarko

HF Chronicle July 15, 2020

Colorful and conveniently placed benches have popped up around downtown Homewood, the 2020 incarnation of an annual art installation.

Benches for Changes is a program facilitated by Homewood Business Association that benefits South Suburban Family Shelter, a Homewood-based nonprofit organization that provides services to families experiencing domestic violence.

This year’s project follows previous ones that saw dogs on parade and Adirondack chairs, locally integrated art that benefitted South Suburban Humane Society and Cancer Support Center, respectively.

Julie Lawton, director of Homewood Business Association, said the organization planned a while ago to use the 2020 art installation to benefit SSFS.

“We told them last year that we wanted to work with them because it’s their 40-year anniversary,” said Lawton, who is co-owner of UpsaDaisy Boutique in Homewood.

Twenty-two unfinished benches were bought by businesses, organizations and individuals, who assembled and painted them with a theme of their choosing.

To make the benches durable for outdoor use, Homewood Auto Body donated time and material to seal each bench with the same clear coat it uses on cars. The business also sprayed the dogs and chairs of previous installations, protecting them from the natural elements.

“One of the biggest contributors for us is Scott (Saalman) from Homewood Auto Body,” Lawton said. “They have offered to spray the final coat on any art installation we do. It’s a very costly thing for him to do.”

After being enjoyed by visitors to Homewood’s downtown throughout the summer, the benches will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting SSFS. Previous auctions were held at Homewood’s Fall Fest. Since the fate is uncertain for that event for this year, the auction will be tied in with SSFS’s annual gala in October.

While the two-seater benches encourage connection between people, Lawton said that can be tricky during a time when COVID restrictions keep us apart. However, someone can sit with a family member or a close friend for a chat, or sit alone for quiet reflection.

“You’re welcome to sit on the benches. We want people to sit on them and enjoy them,” Lawton said. “It’s nice to stop and just think about life and the wonderful experiences you have with the people closest to you.”

Jewish volunteer group collects carloads of meals for families in need

Rachel Forsyth Press Release Leave a comment

By: Carole Sharwarko

H-F Chronicle July 10, 2020

Volunteers unloaded bags of food so that donors could stay inside their air conditioned cars on a sultry Wednesday morning, during a food collection for South Suburban Family Shelter.

The event was organized by the local group of Juf Tikkun Olam Network of Volunteers (TOV) within the Jewish United Fund. About a half-dozen volunteers stood in front of South Suburban Vineyard Church in Flossmoor, welcoming locals who signed up to put together food for a meal.

Volunteers Sarah Goldman, from left, Tracey Levy and Aaron Latman sort donated food in front of South Suburban Vineyard Church in Flossmoor. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)
Volunteers Sarah Goldman, from left, Tracey Levy and Aaron Latman sort donated food in front of South Suburban Vineyard Church in Flossmoor. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)

TOV requested that donors bring a full complement of ingredients to create one entire meal of either breakfast, lunch or dinner. They offered sample menus:

  • Breakfast: Box of pancake mix, bottle of syrup, jar of peanut butter, jar of jam, two cans of fruit
  • Lunch: Box of rice, two cans of pinto beans, can of diced tomatoes, can of corn, package of fruit cups
  • Dinner: Two boxes of pasta, two jars of pasta sauce, two cans of vegetables, two cans of beans, jar of applesauce

“Because of COVID, many different organizations and food pantries are shut down, and families in need aren’t getting the same kind of help,” said Amy Bloomberg, a volunteer who organizes south suburban activities for JUF.

The food was destined for the kitchens of SSFS clients. The organization, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, provides comprehensive services to families experiencing domestic violence.

Food drive participants signed up to donate a certain number of meals, Bloomberg said, and the list included more than 100 meals committed.

However, volunteer Aaron Latman said quite a few people pulled up with cars holding more than promised — whole trunkloads of food, said the junior at H-F High School.

Latman said he volunteers often around Homewood and Flossmoor, collecting needed service hours while getting a sense of satisfaction by helping the community.

“I’ve helped SSFS out as a volunteer in the past, so this is not my first rodeo,” Latman said. “It’s just two hours; I’m more than happy to help.”

Volunteers braved hot temperatures on Wednesday morning to collect food for South Suburban Family Shelter. (Provided photo)
Volunteers braved hot temperatures on Wednesday morning to collect food for South Suburban Family Shelter. (Provided photo)

Latman and other volunteers unloaded grocery bags from the drive-by donors, then sorted the items into paper sacks lined up on the grass. The bags teetered, filled with jars of peanut butter, bottles of syrup and canned vegetables, beans and meat — important protein, Bloomberg said.

Volunteer Tracey Levy said she heard about the food drive from Bloomberg, and was excited to participate in a local nonprofit event. She’s a member of the Society of Women Engineers and also Junior League, and said she misses attending in-person events with those organizations.

“We’ve been doing virtual events, but it’s not the same,” Levy said. “This was a way I could be here physically helping.”

Staff and volunteers from SSFS helped load up the donated food — enough to fill five cars — to be delivered directly to its counseling office and to clients in its Sanctuary Program.

SSFS events coordinator Brittany Williams called the collection turnout “amazing,” and said the agency is storing additional food at its Homewood administration office for later distribution.

“It’s such a great feeling to know our clients won’t have to worry, and that we have such strong support from the community,” Williams said.

COVID-19 fallout challenges domestic violence victims, workers

Rachel Forsyth Press Release Leave a comment

By: Carole Sharwarko

HF Chronicle June 16, 2020

The executive director of a local domestic violence services agency said the low number of requests for services during Illinois’ stay-at-home order don’t tell the whole story about what victims experienced during that time.

Jennifer Gabrenya is executive director of South Suburban Family Shelter, a nonprofit in Homewood that assists families experiencing domestic violence. She said their hotline has been quiet lately, but of course that doesn’t mean incidents of domestic violence suddenly decreased.

“In the first few months, we were getting zero requests for new counseling. That, in itself, was really scary,” Gabrenya said. “What we’re worried about are people who can’t safely get to a phone. They can’t reach out because they’re in the house with the person who’s hurting them, 24 hours a day.”

Many SSFS clients must lie to their abuser in order to leave the house for counseling and other services, Gabrenya said. Women might say they’re going to church or to the home of a friend or family member. Since the pandemic closed establishments and restricted people’s movements, those excuses went away.

“One of my colleagues has at least one client who’s able to leave the house and go for a walk. That’s when she calls in for services,” Gabrenya said.

“If you’re afraid of the person in your home, you’re not going to be able to go in the bathroom and make a call. There’s no privacy, there’s no safety, there are no boundaries.”

An essential operation, SSFS continued its work when Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a virtual state shutdown in late March. The agency has maintained all its programs, except for medical advocacy, since hospitals wouldn’t permit non-patients to enter.

To continue counseling sessions for people experiencing abuse, Gabrenya said SSFS set up a system to connect with clients via video messaging. It had to be secure, discreet and simple — nothing requiring a client to set up an account or provide an email address — so it wouldn’t be noticed by an abuser going through his victim’s phone.

Even with a robust system, Gabrenya said she recognizes that connecting through technology isn’t the ideal way to share problems and feelings with a counselor.

“Of course, the virtual stuff doesn’t work for everyone. We’re very painfully aware that counseling, therapy and group services are more ideally served in person,” she said.

The counseling staff has been saddened and alarmed, Gabrenya said, to find certain clients unreachable. Some don’t answer their phone, while others’ numbers have been disconnected.

As SSFS staff has developed new and safe ways to connect with clients, Gabrenya said they simultaneously faced an enormous challenge in housing victims of domestic violence, which often include children as well as adults.

SSFS does not operate a physical shelter. Instead, it uses a system of hotelling for clients in immediate need. The agency rents hotel rooms to provide clients with emergency shelter. If needed, it then places clients at shelters operated by other domestic violence and nonprofit agencies.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, most of these congregant shelters have closed or stopped admitting new residents, Gabrenya said. SSFS staff were forced to use solely the hotelling system for clients who need a safe place to stay — a costly solution.

“We’ve experienced over a 500% increase in nights. It’s cost us $40,000 in the last two months,” Gabrenya said.

She’s thankful, however, that SSFS already had a structure in place for sheltering clients in hotel rooms. Gabrenya said other agencies with no such system have reached out for help setting one up, and SSFS has been able to advise them on billing and other logistics.

Though the constraints of the pandemic shutdown have strained the agency’s operations and finances, Gabrenya said she feels impressed by what her team accomplished while facing serious challenges.

“There were some amazing things that came out of this because you can see the innovation that the staff has,” Gabrenya said. “We have found people have talents we didn’t know they had. We’ve had to pivot and shift so fast, it’s amazing that we still have our head on our shoulders.”

Paint-your-own seating project supports agency’s ‘benchmark’ anniversary

Rachel Forsyth Press Release Leave a comment

By: Carole Sharwarko

HF Chronicle March 10, 2020

This spring, you have the chance to paint a piece of public art that supports an important community cause.

“Benches for Change” is the latest in annual installations sponsored by the Homewood Business Association that highlights aspects of the neighborhood with resident-created art.

This year the project provides benches you can purchase, paint and have displayed around town. Benches must be purchased by Sunday, March 15, at UpsaDaisy Boutique, 18100 Martin Ave. They will arrive, unassembled, in about two weeks.

Benches available for purchase will arrive unfinished, ready to be assembled and painted. This is an image of the actual bench. (Provided photo)
Benches available for purchase will arrive unfinished, ready to be assembled and painted. This is an image of the actual bench. (Provided photo)

Previous years have recognized South Suburban Humane Society with painted dogs and cats for “Pets on Parade,” and Cancer Support Center featuring uniquely decorated “Chairs With a Purpose.” Those fundraisers saw 30 to 40 items painted, with thousands of dollars raised.

This year, the project turns the town’s attention to South Suburban Family Shelter, an agency located in Homewood that provides education and resources to end the cycle of domestic violence.

The benches are part of recognizing the organization’s 40th anniversary in 2020, according to Brittany Williams, the agency’s events manager.

“With it being our 40th anniversary we stepped back and looked at what really makes us a staple in this area,” Williams said.

Benches supply a space for reflection, observation and rest — things SSFS provides to its clients who often are immersed in chaotic situations.

“It’s a two-seater bench, supplying that message that you’re never alone,” Williams said. “We’re trying to do for this town what we’ve done for so many people.”

Anyone from individuals and families to businesses, churches and youth groups can buy an unpainted bench for $150.

You’ll have about a month-and-a-half to paint the bench with a design of your choosing. Then benches will go to Homewood Auto Body to receive a two-step topcoat to make them durable outdoors.

Completed benches will be unveiled on June 5 during the Art & Garden Fair, then displayed throughout town over the summer.

Finally, during Fall Fest on Sept. 26 the benches will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting SSFS. Winners of the benches can choose to leave them in town or relocate them to their home or business.

Williams said bench design possibilities are “limitless,” as long as they are kept tasteful. People may choose to include an inspirational message, a family crest, an abstract design or another representational image.

“Over at Jonathan Kane Salon, I know they’re having a contest among the staff to come up with the design for their bench,” Williams said.

Hopefully, she said, the vibrant benches will pique the interest of people doing business, shopping and dining in Homewood, who will then learn the connection to SSFS.

“People will start thinking about us when they’re doing things downtown,” Williams said. “The fact that it’ll come back to us is fun, and hopefully start that conversation about what we do as an organization.”

SSFS launches month of ‘change’ to fight violence

Rachel Forsyth Press Release Leave a comment
By: Carole Sharwarko
HF Chronicle October 11, 2019 – 21:39
Be the Change cards created by South Suburban Family Shelter offer a suggestion for each day in October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)
Be the Change cards created by South Suburban
Family Shelter offer a suggestion for each day
in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month,
and were handed out during the Be the Change
Celebration. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)

With community sing-alongs and a swishing rainbow dress, the South Suburban Family Shelter kickoff event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month looked a bit different this year than its previous incarnation.

For years, Homewood-based SSFS has hosted a candlelight vigil near the beginning of DV awareness month, a solemn event with emotional speakers and recitations of serious statistics.
The revamped 2019 program, called Be the Change Celebration, still included the ever-present moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives due to domestic violence. However, the tone of the brief event at Marie Irwin Park in Homewood was upbeat and focused on positive action.
Throughout the event, Ahren Hawkin from Melody Mart led a community ukulele band, and motivational speaker Gina Bell cast a spell of positivity over the crowd.
“I’m excited about the new format this year,” said Kerry Hill, SSFS’s manager for community education and outreach. “I really like the shift to empowerment.”
The program opened with a sing-along of “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, led by Hawkin and the ukulele band.
Then the crowd heard from a woman named Angela, a mother of five who benefitted from SSFS’s Sanctuary program. Sanctuary services assist people who want to leave situations of domestic violence.
“I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for this organization. It got bad; I had no peace,” said Angela, holding her youngest daughter on her hip. “Do whatever you can to support this organization. We need this, our families need this, our girls need this.”
After Angela received a rousing round of applause, SSFS Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya welcomed Bell to the stage. Bell is a motivational speaker and women’s empowerment coach from Dyer, Ind.
Motivational speaker Gina Bell inspires the crowd in her rainbow skirt, as South Suburban Family Shelter Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya looks on. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)
Motivational speaker Gina Bell inspires the crowd
in her rainbow skirt, as South Suburban Family
Shelter Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya
looks on. (Carole Sharwarko/H-F Chronicle)

When she took the stage, Bell told the crowd that night was the first time she ever spoke publicly about her own experience with domestic violence. She did so briefly, and then transitioned into her program where she encouraged members of the audience to spread positivity.

Everyone has an inner light, Bell said, though most people don’t want to show it. To represent this, Bell, who was dressed all in black, put on a big fluffy skirt made from a rainbow of tulle layers.
“Think about the light inside all of us,” she said. “You have the ability to shine your light out into the community.”
Bell led the audience through a participatory cheer of sorts, where they recited the words, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.”
The quick presentation brought smiles to faces in the crowd. Then Gabrenya invited attendees to visit the resource table to get information, along with a Be the Change suggestions card and a purple light bulb to “Shine a light on domestic violence.”
The ukulele band closed the program with a sing-along performance of “Perfect” by Pink.

Free Eye Exams

May Fathallah Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREE EYE EXAMS

 

HOMEWOOD, IL, June 13, 2018 – South Suburban Family Shelter in partnership with Prevent Blindness Illinois and Rosin Eye Care Centers will offer free eye exams on June 26 by appointment. Anyone age 5 and older who does not have vision insurance and has not had an eye exam in the past year is eligible.

Eye exams will take place at South Suburban Family Shelter’s administrative offices located at 18137 Harwood Avenue in Homewood. Those patients who need glasses or referrals for further optometric testing will receive vouchers to use at Rosin Eye Centers.

Appointments take approximately 20 minutes. To schedule an appointment, please call Dawn at 708-794-2140, extension 308. There are a limited number of appointments available.

South Suburban Family Shelter provides services in English and Spanish for families impacted by domestic violence including counseling, emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, court advocacy, and violence prevention programs.

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Contact: Dawn Peloso
708-794-2140, ext. 308
dawnp@ssfs1.org

University of Chicago Medicine Ends Partnership with Domestic Violence Workers Medical Advocates dismissed from UC Medicine Ingalls ERs and Urgent Cares

May Fathallah Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Chicago Medicine Ends Partnership with Domestic Violence Workers Medical Advocates dismissed from UC Medicine Ingalls ERs and Urgent Cares

 

HARVEY, IL, November 20, 2018 – After nearly 20 years of serving the community, University of Chicago Medicine/Ingalls Hospital has ended their contract with South Suburban Family Shelter to provide advocacy to victims of domestic violence in their emergency rooms and urgent care centers. The news came in a letter from University of Chicago Medicine’s legal counsel announcing that the long partnership will terminate in 30 days.

South Suburban Family Shelter Executive Director Jennifer Gabrenya commented “This is a disappointing statement on University of Chicago Medicine’s commitment to the well-being of families in the south suburbs.”

The dissolution of a long-standing partnership means that thousands of people per year will no longer have access to medical advocacy services at Ingalls. Last year, South Suburban Family Shelter served 11,699 people in Ingalls ERs and Urgent Care centers by providing domestic violence screenings, assessments and intake to those in need.

South Suburban Family Shelter has already begun looking for new ways to reach out to people in need of their services in the community. They are also working to fill the budgetary gap that the dissolution of their partnership with Ingalls leaves.

South Suburban Family Shelter provides comprehensive, coordinated services to families in which domestic violence exists, without imposing any one solution. South Suburban Family Shelter accepts clients regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, marital status or age. Services are provided at no charge to victims and include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, medical advocacy, legal advocacy, community education, partner abuse intervention and transitional housing.

###

Contact: Dawn Peloso
708-794-2140, ext. 308
dawnp@ssfs1.org

Candlelight Vigil

May Fathallah Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO BEGIN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

 

HOMEWOOD, IL, September 17, 2018 – October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and South Suburban Family Shelter begins a month of community awareness activities with their annual Candlelight Vigil on Monday, October 1, 2018.

The event will be held at 6:00 PM at the Irwin Community Center Band Shell at 18120 Highland, in Homewood, IL.

The event will include music, survivor testimonies, and an exhibit of t-shirts with art created by survivors of domestic violence.

The event is intended to bring awareness to the community as well as empower survivors.

Community groups and individuals are invited to attend the Vigil to learn more about what they can do to prevent domestic violence and the services available in our community.

For more information, contact Dawn Peloso at 708-794-2140, ext. 308.

###

Contact: Dawn Peloso
708-794-2140, ext. 308
dawnp@ssfs1.org