Executive Director Jane Van Buren Steps Down After Three Years in the Role;

Brought Stability to WHBW During Challenging Economic Period -

Board Plans to Adopt New Shared-Leadership Model,

Structured Around Direct Services, Finance and Development

Burlington, VT, May 14, 2013 – The Board of Directors of Chittenden County’s Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW), a community nonprofit which aids victims of domestic violence and works to prevent violence against spouses and children,announced today that Executive Director Jane Van Buren  will step down after completing three years in the role. In response to this vacancy, The Board has initiated a search to fill a newly established role, Director of Development and Communications.

“We owe Jane Van Buren a great deal of gratitude for stabilizing WHBW and for navigating the organization through a turbulent economic environment, both post-recession and, later, post-Irene,” noted Kelly Jayne McCann, WHBW’s Board Chair. “We had the opportunity during Jane’s tenure to develop strong management candidates internally. As such, we believe the time is right for the organization to consider a shared leadership model.”

Two members of the leadership team are already in place. Wanda Bezio, who has been with WHBW for 24 years in the finance department, will formally become Director of Finance. Meanwhile, Jennie Davis, who has worked on the Direct Services team for the past five and a half years, most recently as the team leader, will become Director of Programs.

The Board of Directors is excited to announce a local and regional search for the third, newly created position – Director of Development and Communications. This position will play a pivotal role in helping the organization fulfill its mission. As the public face of organization, the Director of Development and Communications will engage the community and build solid relationships that lead to additional support. A detailed description of the new position can be found at www.whbw.org.

In advance of filling the Development position, parties interested in bringing grant application and other philanthropic award opportunities to the attention of WHBW should contact Michelle Hough, at either (802) 658-3131, ext. 1077, or michelleh@whbw.org.

About Women Helping Battered Women 

Formed in 1974, WHBW has evolved into the largest service provider for victims of domestic violence in Vermont. In addition to providing emergency shelter and housing advocacy, WHBW offers 24-hour hotline services, legal advocacy, programs for children and many educational outreach programs. We believe that all women and children have the right to live without fear of battering – sexual, physical, emotional, or financial.

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On Saturday March 23, 2013, over 500 participants in Memorial Auditorium in Burlington VT for Women Helping Battered Women’s 5th Annual Zumbathon® left it all on the dance floor. The joyful energy of Zumba® Fitness carried WHBW past their $50,000 fundraising goal, deeming the event an enormous success. Local Zumba® Fitness Instructors Bridget O’Connor and Shannon Stem are the main energy behind this annual event. Together with 75 Zumba® Fitness Instructors from across New England they lead the party from the main stage. Each “crew” of instructors brought their best choreography, sass, and great costumes to fire up the crowd through 2.5 hours of amazing Zumba® Fitness action. Bridget, who has been a lead organizer since year one stated, “WHBW does so much for our community, we love being able to give back- especially when it means we get to throw a huge party! Every year we are blown away by the instructors, the participants, staff and volunteers, and tech people that make this event magic.” WHBW announced the creation of an annual volunteer award to honor the five years of commitment and hard work that have gone into making the WHBW Zumbathon® the most successful fundraiser event in WHBW’s 39year history! The WHBW O’Connor and Stem Community Inspiration Award will be given annually to a volunteer who motivates and inspires others to make a difference.

Zumba® Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program that blends international music and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive. Since its inception in 2001, Zumba® has grown to become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance fitness program. More than 14 million people take weekly Zumba® Fitness classes in over 140,000 locations, across more than 150 countries. A Zumbathon® is a special event class to raise money and awareness for charity. As we channeled the power and energy of the Zumba® Fitness program, it reverberated through the Auditorium- even the volunteers were up and dancing!

In 2009 our first Zumbathon® event raised $4,000. The second surprised us by more than doubling the number of participants and raising $10,000. Our 3rd upped the ante again, bringing in $28,000. The 4th Annual Women Helping Battered Women Zumbathon® in 2012 raised just under $40,000. With the help of the instructors, participants, community sponsors, donors, staff and volunteers fromWHBW, this year’s Zumbathon® event brought in approximately $55,000! “We are amazed and humbled by how much time and effort goes into this event every year. WHBW is deeply grateful to everyone who helps make this event happen,” said Executive Director Jane Van Buren. In 2012, WHBW provided services at no cost to nearly 5,000 adults and children in Chittenden County whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse. These services include emergency shelter, legal advocacy, credit repair, children’s groups, and other necessary direct services that help survivors lead safe, empowered lives. The annual Zumbathon® provides an invaluable amount of funding, publicity, and pure positive empowering energy for WHBW.

Together we will build a world without domestic abuse!

More coverage (and photos!) from Z5 can be found on our Facebook page.

Also, check out Beltrami & Co.’s Facebook page for some pictures! 

WHBW is proud to announce the creation of the O’Connor and Stem Community Inspiration Award,  in recognition of Bridget O’Connor’s and Shannon Stem’s tireless efforts to make the Zumbathon a huge success.  The first recipients of this award are Thomas Robin and Hannah Grace.  Both O’Connor and Stem received WHBW’s Susan E. Roche Volunteer Award.

WHBW is proud to be the Burlington J.Jill store’s chosen charity. For almost five years now WHBW’s residents have been the recipients of frequent clothing donations both new and gently used. The boxes are picked up and brought to our emergency shelter by volunteers and staff. After the current residents have looked through them, they are sent to Sophie’s Place Basement Boutique in our transitional housing apartment building.  There teen volunteers from Essex High School sort the items. Any clothing that is suitable for interview wear is sent to our community partner Dress for Success Burlington.

J.Jill has a great deal on denim going on through the weekend, check out the details below. Thanks J.Jill and store manager Alice for partnering with WHBW in this way. You have helped brighten many days with your donations!

Burlington’s Creative Habitat supports Healing Arts Project at WHBW

Recently we have launched a healing arts project at Women Helping Battered Women that allows for our service users to use artistic expression in a therapeutic setting. Art is a way for people who experience trauma and challenges in living to seek personal development and healing. Through the process of creating art people can practice self care in a meaningful and relaxing setting.

We are extremely grateful to Michael Dowling, owner of local craft store Creative Habitat, for donating art supplies and materials that have made it possible for this program to come alive. We now have beautiful pastels, paints, inks, papers, and other materials which will be used for projects such as collage. Their donations will allow for our service users to take part in weekly healing arts group at WHBW!

If you’re interested in contributing to our Healing Arts Project, please make a donation here.  If you have in-kind donations for our project please contact Ariela via email at arielam@whbw.org.

How do you and your loved ones like to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Are you still looking for just the right gift to express your love and appreciation for that special someone? February 14^th is coming up and we have a deal you don’t want to miss!

When you donate $50 to WHBW, Jivana Holistic Spa of Burlington will send a $20 gift certificate directly to you as a token of appreciation for supporting WHBW’s programs and services to help end domestic abuse in Chittenden County, Vermont.  This great deal provides an opportunity to contribute to an important cause during this season of love, and also to show someone your appreciation!

Simply go to www.whbw.org and click on the “donate now” button and fill out the online form! Please make sure to include your address to receive the  gift certificate.

http://www.jivanaspa.com

This is the 5th year that a Valentine’s Day purchase from Vermont Brownie Company will support Women Helping Battered Women! A percentage of ALL Valentine’s Day sales between now and February 14th, 2013 will be donated to support our programs.

All of Vermont Brownie Company’s products are made from scratch using local, wholesome, farm-fresh ingredients that are always natural and preservative-free. (The secret of our unique flavors!)

Their business goal was to create a company that captures Vermont’s rural sophistication and pays tribute to the people who live, work, and play here.

Through this annual campaign Vermont Brownie Company has donated over $8,800 so far to WHBW!! This is a sweet cause and a great local business! Thank you VBC, we are humbled by your delicious success!!

Visit Vermont Brownie’s site to place an order and remember to mention that it is a Valentine’s Day purchase. Thank you! http://www.vermontbrowniecompany.com/

REV Cycling Studio at 696 Pine Street in Burlington, believes anyone and everyone can enjoy indoor cycling. No fears, no egos, no
excuses.  REV is a new business that opened last November and already classes are selling out (space) daily!  REV will be hosting their first ever Spinathon to benefit the Legal Program of WHBW.  Help REV raise support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse in Chittenden County.

REV owner Sarah DeGray believes strongly in the mission to help out those who would otherwise not have access to competent legal representation. For two years she worked at the law firm Langrock, Sperry and Wool, LLP in their Burlington office. She was exposed to a cross-section of criminal law and family law and became familiar with the destructive cycle of domestic abuse and how it impacts families and communities. Most recently, she worked for the Federal Public Defender Office in Burlington, and many of their clients, both men and women, were victims of violence in the home. Unfortunately, many of the victims of violence became perpetrators of that same violence and ended up entangled in the legal system. While Langrock, Sperry and Wool is a for-profit law firm, they do pro-bono legal work and support of community programming to help low income men and women receive quality legal representation. Following her stint there, she chose to work in public service law.  Sarah has since left the legal profession as her full-time job, it is her hope, that raising funds for WHBW’s legal program will help foster a strong advocacy program for victims and help towards protecting the vulnerable against domestic abuse.

SPIN-A-THON Details

Please join us Saturday February 2, 2013. Ride one hour or ride five! We ask for a $20 donation per hour to support this worthy cause. We have a donor couple who will personally match $5 for every hour of reving done at the SPIN-A-THON. Then their employers both have corporate giving match programs for another $10 dollars! Your $20 minimum donation automatically turns into $35!! How COOL is that?! WHBW will receive 100% of the proceeds. Additional donations to WHBW are gratefully accepted.

Water and snacks provided. Free chair massages! Prizes and raffle items too!!

Email info@revindoor.com to register. Provide your name and preferred time slot. You will receive an email confirmation from REV.

Ride Slots :

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. REV with Jen
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. REV with Paul
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. REV with Jonathan
12:45- 1:45 p.m. REV with David
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. REV with Sarah

Contact michelleh@whbw.org or 658-3131 x1077 with any additional questions.

Facebook Event Page

REV website

Space is limited, register by email to info@revindoor.com today!

You’re stronger than you think, dig deep!

Thank you to the Williston Observer for writing a wonderful story about our Holiday Program! 

http://www.willistonobserver.com/the-giving-season-adopt-a-child-for-the-holidays

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Children are often the hidden victims of domestic violence. They live in an unpredictable, chaotic, and stressful environment which can take a toll on a child’s well being. For a child, the home should be a place of comfort, especially around the holiday season. The holidays can be a difficult time for everyone, especially during these tough economic times. Mother’s who are fleeing abusive relationships are often left without a home, and without the financial resources to find enough food, let alone buy presents for their children.

This year, make the holiday season special for children who need it, and who deserve it. Become a sponsor as part of Women Helping Battered Women’s Holiday Giving Program, and make the dreams of one girl or boy come true! Each year, many individuals, families, and businesses sponsor children, and last year we provided gifts to over 255 children or 97 families! We will provide you with the age and sex of the child, along with that child’s “wish list”. You will have the option of buying up to four gifts for him/her (usually not exceeding $100). If you represent an organization or business please consider sponsoring a full family. We ask that all gifts come unwrapped, but gladly accept any extra wrapping paper or ribbons,so the mothers can be involved in the wrapping process. 

Sophie’s Place is an 11 unit transitional apartment building dedicated to individuals or families who have experienced homelessness due to domestic violence.  SP is a collaborative project between the Burlington Housing Authority and Women Helping Battered Women. Last year we provided housing services to 18 adults and 20 children. We are so thankful for this program!

Residents of SP will receive support and advocacy from WHBW, as well as other community partners, as they work toward meeting their goals of safety and self-sufficiency free from abuse. One of our newest tenants, who recently left a twenty-plus year abusive marriage, shared with Sophie’s Place staff that she has been able to make a home here, and now knows that she can live independently and has the skills and abilities to be successful without her husband. Before leaving and having a safe place, she didn’t believe that she could live on her own and be successful, but with space, time, and safety she has been able to heal and make plans for her own future without violence.

The Coalition for Community Service Club at South Burlington High School is a group of 157 students dedicated to taking part in volunteer work and internships. On October 8^th, WHBW Volunteer and Resource Coordinator, Emily DeWitt and WHBW volunteer Morgan Beck presented possible  volunteer opportunities to the group. The very next day, two freshmen, Daylin Poon and Chelsea McDevitt, reached out to us wanting to know ways they could help. Their heartfelt curiosity led to the development of a clothing drive.  SBHS ran a drive  from November 5^th to 9^th that compiled 15 bulging bags of clothing brought to The Basement Boutique at Sophie’s Place, our transitional housing building.  Thanks to the admirable student efforts, the clothing drive provided an abundance of donations for WHBW service users. One donation bag brought to shelter was comprised of winter coats.  A shelter resident and mother of three found coats for all her children, allowing her to save her money for buying Christmas presents.  Women Helping and SBHS hope to create a lasting partnership with an annual clothing drive.  We are extremely grateful and appreciative of the caring students involved in this year’s drive and we thank SBHS for their phenomenal support.