We are excited to announce a new position opening at Hope House, the Prevention Project Coordinator.  Please help us spread the word to anyone that may be interested in making a difference by working to bring about social change and healthier communities.  The job posting and description can be found by going to our Career Opportunities page.

Lantern Project: Since October 2013, Hope House has joined with other domestic violence programs around the state by implementing the Lantern Project. For our part in this statewide project, we added to the lamppost in front of Hope House a purple wreath. We will turn on the light for a week every time there is a death related to domestic violence in Wisconsin. We will post information online about the person that was killed. If you drive by our building and see our lamppost on, please reflect on the deadly impact that domestic violence has on our communities.

Obituary: "Christopher Dale Richardson 'Po Boy' age 42 of Rio, WI formerly of Urbana, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Rio, WI. He was born on September 21, 1972 in Urbana, IL to Ivan and Mary (Zindars) Richardson. He graduated from Urbana High School In 1990. He married Gae Duderstadt on November 15, 1997 and they moved to Wisconsin. Together they had two beautiful sons, Carson and Conner Richardson.

Chris owned a very successful catering business, Po' Boys BBQ & Catering in Rio, WI that continued to grow over the years. He could take an idea or dream and turn it into a realty. He was successful in anything he set out to do. He was ambitious, motivated, confident and always had a positive attitude. He had such a way with people and you couldn't help but like him as soon as you met him. Chris worked hard and he played hard.

Chris had a zest for life and lived it to the fullest. He always saw the glass as 'half-full.' He had such a sense of humor and quick wit and would always have a joke or story to tell. He lived for adventure and was always up for anything. He couldn't wait for the opening day of snowmobile season. He loved going out to Colorado and Wyoming with his buddies to go mountain sledding. Most of all, he loved spending time with his boys. Whether it was taking off in the motorhome for a trip, going snowmobiling, ATVing, boating, floating down the river, snow skiing or just staying home playing board games and cards. Anyone who knew Chris knew how competitive he was in the games Monopoly, Risk and Settler's of Catan. The boys loved spending time with their Dad and they were the love of their Dad's life.

Chris is survived by his parents Ivan and Mary Richardson of Urbana, IL, his two sons Carson and Conner of Rio, WI and their mother Gae Richardson of Rio, WI, whom he remained very close to and had a strong bond with. He is also survived by two brothers, Brian (Tami) Richardson of Homer, IL, Brad Richardson of Urbana, IL. and nieces and nephews Brandon, Cedar, Tucker, Catherine, Drew and Quinn Richardson"...Read more

Rio Man Behind Hostage Situation Identified: UPDATED: Thursday, July 2, 2015 --- 6:21 p.m.

"Authorities have identified the Columbia County man accused of holding his girlfriend hostage, then firing at deputies before killing himself Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff Dennis Richards says 42-year-old Christopher Richardson, of Rio, led deputies on a chase after his girlfriend called 911 and told authorities Richardson had duct taped her, and held her for up to two days.

Court documents obtained by NBC 15 News shows a similar situation happened in September 2014. Richardson's girlfriend told deputies he had duct taped her, beat her and threatened to kill her. He was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. The case was still open.

Officials with Columbia County Sheriff's Office confirmed the same girlfriend was involved in both incidents.

Friends of Richardson's say he was a well-known, and well-liked business owner in Rio. He operated 'Po Boys' catering business.

'I'm sure everybody feels just the same that I do. Just very shocked,' his friend, Jody Smith said.

Now, the small community of 1,000 residents is trying to heal.

'I don't know how we're going to go on. Obviously we will, but it puts us in a tough spot... We've had a lot of positive things [in Rio] and it just makes you think about things day to day,' said Mark Watters, owner of Mark's Market in downtown Rio"...Read more

Welcome to the July 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

In Memory of Tracie McClung of Lake Wisconsin
Hope House would like to express condolences to the friends and family of Tracie McClung, who lost her battle to cancer in May. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials were asked to be given to Hope House. We are very grateful to those who made donations to Hope House in her memory. Thank you!

Help Us Acquire New Playground Equipment
Please consider making a donation to Hope House to help us purchase this fun, safe, new playground equipment for the courtyard at our shelter. Miller & Associates have generously given Hope House a discount, but we need your help to raise the funds. Donations can be mailed to Hope House, attn: Playground Equipment Fund, P.O. Box 557, Baraboo, WI 53913 or donate online here.  

Thanks to P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Baraboo Chapter
The Baraboo News Republic recently featured the volunteer work of the P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Baraboo Chapter at Hope House. 

"The women have helped in the residential facility’s garden, worked to beautify its front yard and courtyard, and donated Adirondack chairs and two Aldo Leopold benches made by Bowar’s husband, Dave Murphy. Bowar said the women hope to raise sufficient funds to purchase some items off the facility’s wish list, such as a washer and dryer. The women also held a shower this spring for the Baraboo live-in clients and their children" Read the article here. 

Many thanks to the P.E.O Chapter and all our volunteers!

Free Health & Wellness Groups in Mauston and Adams
Hope House is offering free health and wellness groups at the Mauston Public Library and the Adams County Community Center. These groups teach healthy, alternative methods to reduce stress and help connect participants with supportive people in the community. For more information or to sign up to attend, call 1-800-584-6790 or email OutreachAdvocate@HopeHouseSCW.org.

Hope House Donation Needs
Monetary donations are most needed.  Individuals have the option of donating online.  Please note that a portion of your online donation will go towards PayPal fees.  Donations can be mailed to Hope House, P.O. Box 557, Baraboo, WI 53913. We also appreciate gas cards, gift cards (Walmart, Kwik Trip, Walgreens, Kohl’s), taxi vouchers from Baraboo Taxi, and used cell phones, iPods and iPads.  Please note that we are not accepting stuffed animals/plush toys, used toys, clothes (except for new sweatshirts and sweatpants), shoes, used books, furniture, TVs, bar soap, hats, scarves or travel-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Current needs include

• Bathrooms: Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Toilet bowl cleaner, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
• Kitchen: Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Paper towels, Silverware, Brush for cleaning bottles, Fruit juice, Sip cups, Milk, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
• Laundry: Power laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
• Clothing for Women and Kids: Winter boots, Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, Sweatshirts and sweatpants
• Misc: Pack 'n Play, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs, New twin bed sheets

Special Note about Travel-Size Items: We encourage those looking to donate travel-size items to donate them to the Backpack Project. The Backpack Project strives to provide Baraboo School District students who are financially challenged to enter the school doors on the first day ‘just like everyone else’ and to show these children the community supports and encourages them to learn and do their best. If interested in donating towards this project, please contact Becky Hovde at 608-963-8230 or hivebiz@centurytel.net.

Children & Youth

• Sex Ed That Turns Boys into Men: “A program in Canada gives adolescent boys the space to explore big ideas like masculinity, gender, and power — with fascinating results”…Read more
  
• High Schools and Middle Schools Are Failing Victims of Sexual Assault: “Secondary school educators are unsure and ill-trained when it comes to handling allegations that one student has assaulted another, which they are legally required to report to the police. Once accusations are made, survivors at times continue to face harassment and victim-blaming among their peers, which some victims say is even worse than the assault itself”…Read more
• 1 in 3 Teen Boys Sexually Assaulted Tries Suicide, Study Finds: “Teen boys who have been a victim of sexual assault are likelier to attempt suicide, a new study says. University at Buffalo researchers analysed data from more than 31,000 American teens, aged 14 to 18, who took part in surveys in 2009 and 2011. Among healthy-weight boys, 3.5 percent of those with no history of sexual assault attempted suicide within the past year, compared with more than 33 percent of those who had been sexually assaulted, the investigators found”…Read more
  
• What’s Lurking Behind the Suicides?: “Since December, nine people between the ages of 12 and 24 have committed suicide on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation — home to Crazy Horse’s Oglala band of the Lakota — in southwestern South Dakota. They come to Pine Ridge every few years, these suicide epidemics, with varying degrees of national media attention and local soul-searching. What the news media often misses though, and what tribal members understand but rarely discuss above a whisper, is that youth suicides here are inextricably linked to a multigenerational scourge of sexual abuse, with investigations into possible abuse now open in at least two of the nine recent suicides”…Read more
• Healthy Relationships May Prevent Depression in Child Abuse Survivors: “Researchers followed a group of 485 young adults in Rochester, New York, for 12 years to see how exposure to neglect or maltreatment during childhood would influence their ability to have satisfying relationships with intimate partners and their susceptibility to depression. ‘In our sample, we do not find evidence that maltreatment reduces the likelihood that an individual will be in a stable, satisfying intimate partner relationship’”…Read more
  
• Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015: “Aided by the convenience and constant access provided by mobile devices, especially smartphones, 92% of teens report going online daily — including 24% who say they go online 'almost constantly,' according to a new study from Pew Research Center…Nearly three-quarters of teens have or have access to a smartphone and 30% have a basic phone, while just 12% of teens 13 to 17 say they have no cell phone of any type…Facebook remains the most used social media site among American teens ages 13 to 17 with 71% of all teens using the site, even as half of teens use Instagram and four-in-ten use Snapchat”…Read more

Miscellaneous

• Masculinity Gets a Modern Makeover in Getty Images' Newest Stock Art Collection: “Stock photography is everywhere, and a lot of it reinforces traditional gender roles. But Getty Images partnered with Sheryl Sandberg's LeanIn.org last year to change that by creating a collection of 2,500 images showing women in more empowering ways. The collection, which has since doubled in size, turned out to be a success, according to Getty, with sales also doubling since the launch. Now, ahead of Father's Day and following the launch of Sandberg's 'Lean In Together' campaign earlier this year, Getty Images has curated another collection, this time offering images that redefine representations of masculinity”…Read more
  

Local News

• Devyn Garcia, 20, of North Freedom, charged with repeated sexual assault of a teen girl...Read more
  
• Michael Powell, of Portage, sentenced to 8 years probation for sexually assaulting a 30-year-old woman with significant cognitive impairment...Read more
• Steven Rist, 43, of Columbus, charged with sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl...Read more
  

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

Resources
Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence in Later Life: "In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2015), the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence is pleased to share this updated Special Collection. By focusing specifically on domestic and sexual violence (DV/SV) in later life, this special collection highlights the complexities of older people's DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life."

Suicide Prevention App for Health Care Providers Free from SAMHSA: “Suicide Safe, SAMHSA's new suicide prevention app for mobile devices and tablets, helps providers integrate suicide prevention strategies into their practice and address suicide risk among their patients. Based on SAMHSA's Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) card, Suicide Safe helps providers: (1) use the SAFE-T approach with patients; (2) explore interactive case study examples; (3) quickly access and share information, including crisis lines, fact sheets, educational opportunities, and treatment resources; (4) browse conversation starters, sample language, and tips for talking with patients; and (5) identify treatment options, locations, resources, and referrals.”


YWCA Racial Justice Resources: The YWCA in Madison has created a webpage with various racial justice resources that you can use to create change individually—through personal learning, education & action; interpersonally—through discussion & actions with family, friends, and groups that you are connected to; institutionally—through working towards systemic change in your community and/or organization.