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(s) 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. We know the list of stories we post here is incomplete. We strive to learn about and share these stories but know that there are some that we and the media miss. If you see a news story of a death in WI related to domestic violence and don't see it posted here, please feel free to let us know about it here. Thank you.
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There is no obituary posted at this time. If we become aware of one, we will post it here.

News Story: "A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of using an accelerant to start a house fire that killed a 2-year-old girl and seriously injured a 10-year-old boy. Michael Morgan was charged Wednesday with arson in the fatal fire Oct. 20 at his estranged wife's home in Milwaukee. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. Six children and their grandmother were home at the time of the fire. The grandmother was able to guide four of the children, ranging in age from 1 to 11, to safety. Firefighters found 2-year-old Tae’ Najah Morgan and Michael Morgan's 10-year-old stepson inside the home. The girl died the following day at a hospital. Her death is being investigated as a homicide"...Read more

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

Holiday Giving
Around the holidays, people often ask what gift items they can donate to Hope House for the people we work with. Here is our holiday wish list:

• For Children and Teens: board games, arts and craft supplies, pajamas, slippers, jewelry, candy or chocolate, sports balls, winter outdoor toys and activities, gloves or mittens, socks, family-friendly DVDs and toys
• For Adults: area spa certificates, Walmart gift cards, gas cards, bathrobes, slippers, bath products, manicure/pedicure sets, coffee or tea, calendars or weekly planners, journals, gloves or mittens, socks and underwear 

​Please note that all items should be donated unwrapped. You may donate wrapping paper if you wish for parents to be able to wrap the presents for their children.

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 bowl cleaner, Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
• Kitchen: Paper towels, Ziploc bags, Silverware, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Brush for cleaning bottles, Sip cups, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
• Food and Beverages: Meat, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese, Canned soup, Snack items (crackers, granola bars, etc.), Fruit juice, Milk
• Laundry: Powder laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
• Clothing for Women and Kids: Winter boots, Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
• Misc: Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

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 and Youth
Mindfulness: Helping Youth Learn to Feel Emotions and Choose Their Behavior: “Neuroscience has revealed in recent years that trauma resulting from adverse childhood events can actually change the brain — for the worse — of a developing child. And their thought processes and behaviors can become impaired as a result… A growing number of experts, including psychologists, social workers and physicians, have found a new tool in their kits for treating young people: mindfulness”…Read more

Hundreds of Nude Photos Jolt Colorado School: “At least 100 students at a high school in Cañon City traded naked pictures of themselves, the authorities said Friday, part of a large sexting ring…Members of the high school football team, the Cañon City Tigers, were at the center of the sexting ring…Mr. LeDoux, the district attorney, said the investigation would look into whether any adults were involved, whether children were bullied into participating, and whether any illegal sexual contact occurred”…Read more

Miscellaneous News

• What a Creepy Bloomingdale’s Ad Tells Us about America’s Understanding of Rape: “She added, ‘I doubt the person who created this was consciously thinking about sexual assault. Male or female, whoever it was who came up with this  — and the many people who okayed it — just don't get it. Date rape is still a huge problem — and yes, there’s more attention paid to it than before, but not enough attention’”…Read more
• Doctors, Lawyers And Even The Bank Can Help Identify Elder Abuse: “Elder abuse, which can take the form of sexual or emotional abuse, physical violence and even financial manipulation, affects at least 10 percent of older Americans, according to a review article in the Nov. 12 New England Journal of Medicine. That figure, researchers note, is likely an underestimate, since it’s based on self-reported cases, and potential victims often suffer from dementia or are otherwise isolated from people who might notice something is wrong”…Read more

• Orange the World to End Violence against Women: “This year, to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world, the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign aims to ‘Orange the world.’ During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November to Human Rights Day on 10 December, ‘Orange Events’ will take place around the world”…Read more...Read related article: 16 Ways to Mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence​

Parents and Youth Service Providers' Section
Help Your SRO Support Bullying Prevention Efforts: “NIOT is proud to join the U.S. Department of Justice/COPS Office as we release a new guide to help law enforcement officers and agencies address and prevent bullying. "Preventing and Addressing Bullying and Intolerance: A guide for law enforcement" is intended to be a primary resource for law enforcement officers who can play a vital role in educating children and adults about problems resulting from bullying, teasing, and all forms of bias; offering ways to prevent and intervene in bullying situations; and helping to break cycles of bullying and transform student behavior. The guide features anecdotes from Not In Our School campaigns. Download the guide.
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Sexting Handbook: Common Sense Media has released a new handbook for teens on sexting. Check it out here.

Understanding Your Students: A Glimpse into the Media Habits of Tweens and Teens: “That's why we're pleased to release a new report, the Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Tweens, which paints a more complete picture of how tweens and teens are using media”…Read more…Read related article for parents: The New Guide to Managing Media for Tweens and Teens

Faith Communities' Section

• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: “Each day from November 25 until December 10, FaithTrust Institute will highlight different aspects and ideas for addressing gender-based violence. These will include videos of colleagues and trainers discussing their work, webinars to further your education, meditations and prayers, and artwork to inspire. Please come back each day to see the latest offering”…Read more
• There's Domestic Violence in the Bible. Let's Talk About It: “This October—as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month—we’re featuring a new online series called Troubling Texts: Domestic Violence in the Bible. With thought-provoking commentary from experts, pastors, and emerging scholars, we'll take a hard look at how scripture has been used to justify domestic violence…Follow the series and journey with us as we seek to provide healing and hope to the church. For in the words of Rev. Haslanger: ‘if we keep silent, if we ignore the human cost and spiritual degradation of domestic violence, then we are failing the people we are called to serve’”…Read more