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National Child Abuse Prevention Month: What you need to know? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kristine ScottPhone: (708) 794-2140 ext. 311Email: kris.s@anewdv.org National Child Abuse Prevention Month: What you need to know? Homewood, Illinois (April 13, 2022) April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse recognizes the importance of families […]

Stability for Survivors: Freedom Through Financial Empowerment

10.19.22 by United Way of Metro Chicago You start working shifts as a cashier at the grocery store. After receiving your first pay, you check the joint bank account you share with your spouse. You’re shocked to see the balance is low. Your spouse tells you they’ve opened a new account and have transferred all […]

Letter to the Editor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: October 19th, 2022  Contact: Jennifer Gabrenya Executive DirectorAnew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse jennifer.g@anewdv.org 708-794-2140 LETTER TO THE EDITORAs 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 […]

SSFS continues services for those in domestic violence situations

By: Carole Sharwarko HF Chronicle March 25, 2020 Although Illinois has a “shelter in place” directive, South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS) is still offering services to individuals and families who are in domestic violence situations. Kris Scott of SSFS said the bilingual 24-hour hotline is always open for those in crisis and in need of […]

Chamber of Commerce heads up 3-village holiday charity effort

By: Carole Sharwarko HF Chronicle November 16, 2019 The Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC),  in cooperation with the villages of Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood, will conduct a charitable drive to support three local groups this holiday season. The Village of Homewood will collect items to support the South Suburban Family Shelter (SSFS), the Village of Flossmoor […]

A Letter from Kris Scott, CEO

On behalf of the staff and board of directors of Anew: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of Shaneiqua Pugh, her seven children, and all those impacted by Sunday’s mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed a devastating number of lives lost to domestic violence—individuals killed at the hands of intimate partners. Among them are Dr. Cerina Fairfax, wife of Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax; Nancy Metayer Bowen, Vice Mayor of Coral Springs, Florida; Pastor Tammy McCollum of Charlotte, North Carolina; Myneika Scott of Grovetown, Georgia; and Davonta Curtis of Chicago, Illinois. These names represent just a fraction of the lives lost. Too many stories go untold, and too many families are left grieving.

As these tragedies continue to unfold, I am reminded of the urgency of our work. Domestic violence does not discriminate—it affects individuals across all communities, backgrounds, and identities. In recent weeks, there has been heightened visibility around the murders of Black women.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 45.1% of Black women have experienced domestic violence, and more than half of Black female homicides are connected to intimate partner violence.

At Anew, we see the impact of this violence every day—and we also see the possibility for change. We provide comprehensive, wraparound services to survivors, while also investing in prevention efforts that address the root causes of abuse.

We believe accountability is essential. Through our Partner Abuse Intervention Program, we work with individuals who have used violence, helping them take responsibility for their actions while building the skills needed to create nonviolent, healthy relationships.

We also believe prevention begins early. Through our Community Education and Prevention Program, we are equipping young people—from pre-K through high school—with the knowledge and tools to build safe, respectful relationships and break cycles of harm before they begin.

This moment calls for more than awareness—it calls for action. Each of us has a role to play in creating safer communities, supporting survivors, and holding systems accountable. Everyone deserves to live a life free from abuse. I remain committed to a future where that is not an aspiration, but a reality.

 

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