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VIBS Plans 2008 Annual Spring Benefit
VIBS will celebrate 32 years of working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence at their Annual Spring Benefit on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at the Cold Spring Country Club. This year VIBS will have the pleasure of recognizing the accomplishments of three very exceptional women. VIBS 2008 honorees are Winifred B. Mack, RN, MPA, Executive Director of Southside Hospital and Ellen Volpe, President of American Business Associates. VIBS' Community Service Award will be presented to Jane Conway, Esq.
For information about available sponsorships and ticket reservations, please contact development@vibs.org.
Benefit Sponsorship Flyer |
VIBS Hosts Fifth Annual Book Luncheon
On March 12th, 2008, VIBS held its fifth annual Book Luncheon at beautiful Oheka Castle in Cold Spring Hills. This year, we were pleased to feature talented new author, Aryn Kyle. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, The God of Animals, is a coming of age story filled with adult themes of betrayal, longing, love, the power of forgiveness and hope. Parade Magazine's review predicted "Aryn Kyle seems poised to become one of America's next great authors."
This year's Book Luncheon was truly a special and entertaining afternoon that proved to be a tremendous success.
VIBS' Fifth Annual Book Luncheon (l-r) - Pamela Johnston (VIBS Executive Director), Aryn Kyle (Author), Lynne Adair Kramer (VIBS Board Member & Luncheon Chair)
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L.I. Fund for Women & Girls Honors
Pamela C. Johnston
The Long Island Fund for Women & Girls honored VIBS' Executive Director at its 13th Annual Women Achievers Against the Odds Awards Breakfast on Nov. 7, 2007.
Long Island Fund Breakfast Honorees & Board Co-Presidents, (l-r) - Marsha Jones, Michele Devine(Board),
Pamela Johnston, Shirley Strum Kenny, Diane Cohen (Fund Exec. Director), Marcia Welsh (Board)
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Splashes of Hope Transforms
SANE Centers
VIBS is pleased to announce that Splashes of Hope has created therapeutic murals for the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Centers at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center. Splashes of Hope is a non-profit organization that creates beautiful murals for medical settings as tools for pain management, therapeutic distraction, soothing visualization, and focal points during necessary procedures. The newly “Splashed” SANE centers will be more calming to traumatized victims of sexual assault.
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VIBS Hosts 12th Annual Golf Classic |
Golfers enjoyed a spectacular day of golf at VIBS 2007 Golf Classic held at the Huntington Crescent Club. This year's Classic honored Gary Tabat of Tabat, Cohen, Blum and Yovino and Don Donaudy of freshbrick advertsing. Mrs. New York 2007, Lori Donaudy served as the evening's Mistriss of Ceremonies, distributing the golf awards and awarding the evening's raffler prizes.
Thanks to the event's many sponsors this year's golf outing raised over $67,000 for VIBS:
Tournament - NBTY, Inc.
Dinner - Tabat, Cohen, Blum & Yovino
Brunch - Dockbuilders - Local Union 1456
Advertising Sponsor - freshbrick advertising
Golf Carts - New York Rebar Installation
Awards - Empire National Bank (in formation)
Refreshment sponsor - Aileen Eppig, Robert Ungerer, Susanne Walsh & Chris Long-AG Edwards
Driving Range - New York Commercial Bank
Photography - CIBS
Putting Contest - Brisbane Consulting
2007 Golf Classic Honorary Chairs -
Don Donaudy & Gary Tabat
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T-Mobile Supports VIBS |
VIBS is pleased to announce a partnership with wireless services provider T-Mobile. A generous $10,000 grant from T-Mobile will underwrite VIBS' 24-hour hotline. In additional, the company has provided support for the development and distribution of 15,000 pocket Hotline cards, containing important emergency information and phone numbers for victims of domestic and sexual violence. These holtline cards wll be distributed at schools and community groups throughout the county.
It is essential for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to know how to get immediate access to protection, shelter, counseling and other services. VIBS is extremely grateful to T-Mobile for helping make the women and children of Suffolk County safer.
Steve Twardy (left) of T-Mobile USA and VIBS (Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk) Executive Director Pamela Johnston display the pocket card
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VIBS' Supporters Celebrate
at Annual Benefit |
Over 250 guests enjoyed a beautiful evening at VIBS’ Annual Benefit at Cold Spring Country Club, continuing VIBS’ tradition of celebrating progress in its efforts to stem the growth of domestic and sexual violence. The benefit generated a record $83,000, due to in part to the event’s Platinum Sponsors: Cablevision, Epoch 5 Public Relations, Greenstone/Fontana Advertising and LiDestri Foods and Gold Sponsor: Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Other major sponsors were DiscGraphics and RJ Palmer Media Services.
This year VIBS had the pleasure of honoring Jeanne Fontana, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Greenstone/Fontana Advertising and Katherine Heaviside, founder and President of Epoch 5 Public Relations. Additionally, VIBS’ Community Service Award was presented to Dari Schwartz, Chief of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Each of these individuals shares VIBS’ vision of building a community that encourages healthy family and interpersonal relationships, free of violence and abuse.
2007 Annual Benefit Honorees, L-R: Jeanne Fontana, Katherine Heaviside, and Dari Schwartz
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VIBS Receives Grant from
The AllState Foundation |
The Allstate Foundation recently provided VIBS Family Violence & Rape Crisis Center with a $5,000 grant for its "Every Penny Matters" financial education program. Recognizing that survivors of domestic abuse often lack the economic skills and resources to sustain themselves and prepare for futures of economic independence, the Allstate funding will further enhance VIBS services to its clients. Allstate recognizes that women who have economic skills are more likely to be able to leave abusive situations and sustain themselves and their families on a long-term basis.
VIBS currently offers a three week education program for victims of abuse that includes safety planning and self-care. The issue of financial self-care will now be introduced and 150 clients will learn how to assess their financial status, become financially literate and take steps to protect their assets. The "Every Penny Matters" program will help domestic violence survivors repair damaged credit, learn to budget and develop personal financial management skills. The user-friendly program is geared towards people who may be assuming financial responsibility for the first time.
By incorporating the "Every Penny Matters" curriculum into existing, successful VIBS programs, clients will develop an additional sense of hope, independence and empowerment in order to realize their own futures free of violence. |
VIBS Receives Grant from the
Long Island Fund For Women & Girls
VIBS has created a pilot program in response to the need for Spanish speaking advocates and counselors to improve services to Suffolk's Latina community, and the Long Island Fund for Women and Girls has provided a $2,500 grant to undertake this effort. In order augment existing services to Latina victims of domestic and sexual violence, VIBS partnered with Touro Law School's innovative Long Island Public Interest Center, to both enhance direct services to those in need and provide educational opportunities for law students.
VIBS counselors and advocates will be at the law school, located across from the Cohalan Court complex in Central Islip, 20 hours per week to assist Spanish-speaking victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,. Additionally, a bilingual, bicultural project advocate will be on site for 10 hours per week to provide information about the victim's rights and options, explain the court and other criminal justice system processes, and assist victims in completing petitions for orders of protection, provide direct court accompaniment and an emergency preprogrammed 911 cell phone.
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New Members Join VIBS Board |
In the spring of 2007, VIBS’ President Lynda Perdomo-Ayala welcomed two new members, Jeanne Fontana and Todd Jusas, to the board.
Jeanne Fontana, President and Chair of the Board of Directors for Greenstone/Fontana heads one of the largest Advertising Agencies on Long Island. The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has recognized Greenstone/Fontana as one of “the top 100 women owned businesses in New York.” Ms. Fontana’s love of Long Island is demonstrated through her past work in economic development and her eight year relationship with Promote Long Island. Her personal mission, “preservation for the next generation,” is enacted weekly in her radio show, Public Matters, as well as through her efforts with many area not-for-profit agencies. Ms. Fontana has received recognition for her efforts from New York State Parks and Recreation, Long Island Head Start, March of Dimes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Nature Conservancy; and as a 2007 honoree of VIBS Annual Benefit. As a member of VIBS board, Ms. Fontana will offer her firm’s expertise pro bono to coordinate VIBS’ public information efforts.
Joining Ms. Fontana on VIBS’ Board of Directors is Todd Jusas, the Chief Technology Officer and owner of Juiced Technologies Inc, a provider of business technology services located in Ronkonkoma. During his long career in technology, Mr. Jusas has held positions at Clintrak Pharmaceutical Systems, Morgan Stanley, Coopers & Lybrand and AVIS Rent a Car. Mr. Jusas was first introduced to VIBS at a fund raising event for the Marcie Mazzola Foundation, a foundation that has supported VIBS’ work with children experiencing abuse. Impressed with VIBS work in the community, Mr. Jusas was motivated to reach out to the agency to offer his assistance. Mr. Jusas has generously contributed his technological expertise to VIBS and currently is serving as a member of VIBS’ Golf Classic Committee. |
Support from Our Legislators
The Board and Staff at VIBS are grateful for the support of the following state and county legislators for obtaining funds for essential services in 2006 and 2007:
Book Info
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Clinical Applications of Drama Therapy in Child and Adolescent Treatment
Editor(s) - Anna Marie Weber, Craig Haen |
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Director of VIBS Children's Services, Anna Marie Weber is a gifted drama therapist with expertise in treating severe cases of child trauma from domestic violence and sexual assault. She has co-edited a book containing a rich compilation of leading-edge theory, methodology and practice in the field of drama therapy.
Buy this book » | |
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