CAST YOUR VOTE....

Hey there fabulous naturals !

Many of you may not know , but I am from NJ and have been a resident of NJ all of my life (Atlantic county).  The Atlantic county women's center for Domestic Violence in Atlantic county is in desperate need of our help the center is in need of lots of repairs and renovation.  The best part is all you have to do is vote...vote, vote , vote....if the ACWC gets enough vote they will then have a chance at receiving 250 thousand dollars that can be used in helping to renovate the ACWC.  Below I will post the article along with the link....

ACWC NEEDS YOUR VOTE TO WIN $250,000 FOR SHELTER RENOVATIONS

Over the last 35 years, the Atlantic County Women's Center has been a beacon of light for thousands who have needed to find solace in the midst of despair after being involved in a domestic violence situation.



For many whose circumstances were so extreme, staying at the center's private shelter has meant the difference between life and death, but three and a half decades have their toll on the shelter itself and now the center is asking for your help in hopes that Pepsi will help pay the way for them to continue to offer a place that displaced families can be proud to call their temporary home.


Since 1975 the center has worked to empower women physically, emotionally, socially and financially...four factors that are severely compromised for those victimized by domestic violence, but for many, hope has been found in the center's shelter, which is in dire need of repair according to the center's Coordinator of Community Initiatives, Erin O'Hanlon.

35 years of families coming through there we've supported...35 years of children and we've really just outgrown it. We really need to renovate it."

From limited storage to cramped bedrooms and kitchen counters that are not wheelchair accessible, O'Hanlon says it's unable to provide the level of care that these families deserve.

There's nothing worse than coming to a residential area and you're coming from a domestic violence situation and now you can't care for your children."

Which is why the center is turning to the Pepsi refresh project, a national campaign to help promote America's ideas to better the community. If enough people vote for this video, the center stands to make 250 thousand dollars to help renovate the shelter, but they need your help to do it.

"People can vote everyday," O'Hanlon says. "They can vote online with any email they have. They can text it in and we're looking for people to be able to put the Facebook application in as well and download that and get as many friends and supportive people involved as possible."

Organizers say it's not just a win for them, with each vote you have the chance to help victimized families find solace in the center's safe haven.

We want to make this as much of a home as we possibly can."

To cast your vote go to www.refresheverything.com. Voting ends on September 30th.

http://www.nbc40.net/news/14735/video


LADIES, PLEASE, PLEASE PASS THE WORD.....ALSO YOU CAN VOTE EVERY DAY.  THANKS :)

LETS TALK ABOUT A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE...

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married;  living together, separated or dating.

Examples of abuse include:

name-calling or put downs
keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
withholding money
stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
actual or threatened physical harm
sexual assault
stalking
intimidation

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.







The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs.

ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.



If you are being abused, REMEMBER

You are not alone
It is not your fault
Help is available

What is Abuse? - A Warning List

Many people who are being abused do not see themselves as victims. Also, abusers do not see themselves as being abusive. People often think of domestic violence as physical violence, such as hitting. However, domestic violence takes other forms, such as psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Domestic violence is about one person in a relationship using a pattern of behaviors to control the other person. It can happen to people who are married or not married;  living together, separated, or dating.

If your partner repeatedly uses one or more of the following to control you;

pushing, hitting, slapping, choking, kicking, or biting
threatening you, your children, other family members or pets
threatening suicide to get you to do something
using or threatening to use a weapon against you
keeping or taking your paycheck
puts you down or makes you feel bad
forcing you to have sex or to do sexual acts you do not want or like
keeping you from seeing your friends, family or from going to work

YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED!!

Remember threatened or actual physical violence may be illegal. Consider calling the police for help

This is a very important subject in my life.  One that is sadly quite popular amongst both men and women.  I found this article and found that I must share it.There are many , many women's issues in need of tons of awareness. Domestic violence and abuse happens to be one of a few I am very passionate about, and decided I help by using my blog, my time and my voice to help in bringing awareness to such a very important cause.  If you know of any one who may be in a domestic violence relationship, I ask please, please do not shut them out of your lives.  You, may figure there isn't much you feel you can do...but, there is... help in showing them a way out....lend them a few words of encouragement, not once, not twice, but as long as it takes.  Give, them a safe haven.  Go, with them to a place for abused women... love them!

Take care....