Welcome to the January 2016 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

Baraboo High School T-Shirt Design Competition
The Advisory Committee for Hope House's Rape Prevention Education sub-grant is planning a design competition at Baraboo High School (BHS)!  Throughout February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, BHS students can submit original artwork that celebrates a culture of consent and emphasizes the importance of respect in relationships.  The top design will be printed on t-shirts so students and community members can wear their support!  “Like” Hope House's Facebook page to stay updated and see sneak previews of submitted designs.

​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.

Miscellaneous

Local News

• Man accused of sex offense commits suicide: “Police say the body of David J. Knoble was found Dec. 30 at his residence in the 400 block of South Park Street in Reedsburg. Knoble was wanted by authorities for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage parishioner while serving as the music director at a Reedsburg church. The charges were filed Dec. 29 in Sauk County Circuit Court”…Read more
• Groups bring suicide out of the shadows: “Among the participating coalitions is Prevent Suicide Columbia County, which formed in 2013… The Sauk Prairie School District is taking the lead in forming a new suicide prevention subgroup out of its existing Sauk Prairie Wellness Alliance, an organization formed this year to bring awareness to mental health issues in the community… Like Sauk Prairie, Mauston High School had a student commit suicide in the past year”…Read more
• Daniel Coughlin, 52, of Lyndon Station, was found guilty of two counts of first degree sexual assault of a child and three counts of second degree sexual assault of a child…Read more
• Christopher Donahou, 26, of Reedsburg, is facing felony charges for the abuse of mother and her 2-year-old child…Read more
• David Schlough, 61, of Baraboo, has been charged with false imprisonment and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and operating a firearm while intoxicated…Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

• The “Rude” Behavior I’m Teaching My Kids {Sexual Abuse Prevention}: “I have to teach them to trust their gut when they feel something they can’t put into words – and I have to be willing to trust it, too. And that means no matter who you are, my kids don’t have to give you a hug or kiss if they don’t want to. For ANY reason. Ever. The holiday season means more outings, more celebrations, more family gatherings, more crowds – more people in general…Children should not be forced to give or receive physical affection if they are not comfortable with it. What’s at stake is so much more serious than being labeled ‘rude’ or Aunt Mildred’s hurt feelings over being rejected by a 2-year-old. Why? Because 90% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser”…Read more
• How Common Are Bullying and Fighting among High Schoolers?: “In 2013, US high school students took the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This infographic outlines some of the findings related to bullying and fighting”…View the infographic
• Why High School Students Don’t Intervene to Stop Dating Violence: “The overwhelmingly majority of teens witness dating aggression or sexual violence among their peers, but many choose not to intervene — sometimes because they want to avoid drama, sometimes because they want to fuel drama, and sometimes because they’re afraid of second-guessing a more popular kid…Teens also gave examples of how they had stepped in to shield friends from unwanted advances, or to show aggressive girls and boys that their interest was unrequited”…Read more​
• A Chilling Message About Sexism From Daughters To Their Dads: “Warning: The below video contains content that may be triggering to some readers. ‘Dear Daddy... I know you already try harder than Superman…but I need to ask you a favor. Warning: It’s about boys.’ That's how a powerful new video called ‘#DearDaddy’ begins. Created by the Norwegian charity organization CARE, the five-minute video follows young women from birth to adulthood and uses a powerful narrative to illustrate the various forms of sexual assault, domestic violence and everyday sexism so many women experience throughout their lives”…Read more
• SafeBAE Title IX PSA: Please watch this new 2-minute video on middle and high school students’ rights under Title IX and share with teens, parents of teens, and those that work with teens.

Faith Communities' Section
Free Faith Trust Institute Webinar on Jan. 6: Human Trafficking and the Role of the Faith Community: “Human trafficking is modern slavery. It is a complex, multi-billion dollar system that traps vulnerable people and economically exploits them. Women and children in our cities and towns are being forced into the sex trade.  Join us for an examination of this issue, and how you and your faith community can make a difference in the lives of those in need. The abolition movement has been re-born, and we can each play a role in ending slavery. Robert Beiser, Executive Director of Seattle Against Slavery, will discuss how a coalition of grassroots activists have taken on the mission to end human trafficking, one city at a time." Time:1-2 pm CT Register for this online presentation. 

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.
​
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.
​
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

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

Hope House Receives Grant and Invites You to Join the Advisory Committee
Hope House is excited to announce that we were one of two organizations in the state awarded the Rape Prevention Education sub-grant through the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. With this funding, we created a new position, the Prevention Project Coordinator and hired Robin Bariel this October. She will work closely with Baraboo High School to help plan and implement classroom and extracurricular education that gives students the skills to build healthy relationships. She will coordinate school staff training, facilitate parent and community education, foster a coalition, and influence policy and organizational practices.

To ensure success of the project, the grant requires input from school staff, parents, students, and other community members. Hope House would like to invite you to actively participate on an advisory committee to provide feedback and guidance on how we can best work towards eliminating risk factors for sexual violence at Baraboo High School. The first meeting will be Monday, November 9 from 6 - 7:30 pm at East Elementary School in Baraboo. If interested in attending or wanting to learn more, please contact Robin at 608-356-9123 or email her here.  

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
Wow, what a month! Staff, volunteers, and community members were quite busy raising awareness of domestic violence in our service area. We released our I Am a Survivor video, held a luncheon on the impact of domestic violence on children, raised awareness at three local high school football games, put up community displays, staffed awareness booths at Juneau County Women's Night Out and the Sharing Suppers in Portage, Endeavor and Mauston, participated in Ho-Chunk's DVAM walk at the House of Wellness, and more. Local businesses, such as Fantastic Sams in Baraboo and Health Source Chiropractic in Baraboo, held promotions benefiting Hope House, and Culver's in Lake Delton had a donation jar with awareness cards. WRPQ in Baraboo ran DVAM PSAs and local law enforcement had NO MORE magnets on their squad cars. Thank you to everyone who helped raise awareness this October!

Here are some resources you may be interested in that came out this year for DVAM:

Private Violence Presents: Why We Stayed: “The question 'why doesn’t she just leave' dominates and derails the way we talk about and approach domestic violence. Writer and survivor Beverly Gooden confronted this question head on and ignited a movement with her #WhyIStayed hashtag. Find out more about her story and hear from other survivors in our new short #WhyWeStayed”…Watch the 7-minute clip here

​7 Ways to End Domestic Violence for #DVAM2015: “We’re nearing the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get involved! Domestic violence is an issue that affects communities everywhere all year round. There are always opportunities to raise awareness and support survivors. In honor of all survivors, here are 7 ways YOU can #SeeDV and #TakeAStand against domestic violence”…Read more

Director Hannelore Williams Discusses LoveStruck Documentary Webseries: “This week, we sat down with filmmaker Hannelore Williams, director of the forthcoming three part documentary webseries, LoveStruck. In LoveStruck, Williams interviews both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence, honestly exploring the personal toll of the nationwide epidemic”…Read more

31 of the Most Power Domestic Violence Moments in the Last Year: “This October, for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month let’s look back at the many newsworthy and heart-wrenching domestic violence moments from this past year that informed, enraged, and inspired us all to bring greater awareness to this issue”…Read more

​

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, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Silverware, 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: Pack 'n Play, Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, 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

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.

News & Research
​Domestic Violence

Children and Youth

• Nebraska Eighth-Graders Turn School's Sidewalks into Display of Positive, Anti-Bullying Messages: “October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This week, eighth grade students at Scott Middle School in Lincoln wrote positive messages on the school's sidewalks to express their feelings as part of a national campaign”…Read more
  
• Anti-bullying Laws Appear to be Working: “Looking at data from more than 60,000 high school students in public and private schools in 25 states, the study found that states that did have anti-bullying laws with at least one Department of Education recommendation saw fewer instances of bullying”…Read more

Miscellaneous

• Mass Killings in the US: Masculinity, Masculinity, Masculinity: “Too many boys are learning that violence and entitlements to domination and control, including, centrally, over girls and women, define become ‘a real man.’ That's about gender, and the outcomes are grossly misogynistic, whether they use money, knives, fire, laws, or guns and whether or not their stated intent is religiously or racially motivated”…Read more
• Friends Don’t Ask Their Friends for “Rush Boobs”: “I genuinely believe that virtually all fraternity men don’t want their mothers, girlfriends, sisters, and women friends to be raped. That just isn’t enough anymore. Many of these young men would proudly pin on a white ribbon pledging they are against rape or host a 5K to benefit a local rape crisis center. That just isn’t enough anymore. We have raised enough awareness, and we need real action...Moving toward culture change will require these young men to question tradition and advocate for structural change. It will require them to listen to women. It will require them to do something revolutionary for men to do: follow”…Read more
• Women Share Their Experiences of Rejecting Men's Sexual Advances - and How They Reacted: “Women have been sharing stories about the abuse they have faced after rejecting sexual advances from men. The accounts have been compiled on the When Women Refuse blog. The site was launched after 22-year-old Elliot Rodger killed six people in a drive-by shooting in Santa Barbara in May 2014. In a previous YouTube video, he had complained about being rejected by women and had threatened to take revenge”…Read more
• ​Mysterious New Emoji Keeps an Eye Out for Bullies: “Apple added the emoji to its virtual keyboards as part of the anti-bullying ‘I Am a Witness’ campaign from the Ad Council, a nonprofit that produces public service messages. The aim is for users to include ‘the Witness Emoji’ in messages when they see online or text messages that contain hurtful, bullying comments. Other major tech companies, including Google, Facebook, Snapchat and Adobe, are also getting behind the campaign, which was started in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month”…Read more

Local News

• Harley Tarkenton, 28, and Robert Reick, 28, both of Portage, charged with repeated sexual assault of a woman…Read more
• Gregory Heep, 28, of Wisconsin Dells, sentenced to four years in prison for possession of child pornography…Read more
• Alexander Kluball, 25, of Reedsburg, transported a minor across state lines for sex trafficking…Read more
• Roger Shaw Jr., 36, of Montello has been charged with first degree sexual assault of a child under 12, first degree child sexual assault, child enticement…Read more
• Davian Salgado, 25, of Chicago, has been charged with sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age in Juneau County…Read more

Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

• Kindness Matters: Transforming Your Classroom and Creating a Bully-Free School: “There's plenty of evidence that science backs up the positive effects of kindness, so let's take a look at five joyful ways that you can transform your classroom”…Read more
• NetSmartz’s New Video: Split Decisions is NetSmartz’s “newest video that shows positive ways for teens to resolve online conflicts...and what happens when they don't. Watch as two girls, Lily and Gabriela, make different decisions that lead them down very different paths. One leads to common ground. The other leads to digital drama. This video is accompanied by a discussion guide and activity cards for middle and high school students.”
• What Should Parents Know about Instagram?: Check out this article and video from Common Sense Media. They also have similar articles on Snapchat, Tumblr, and Vine.
• PACER’s Anti-Bullying PSA: “Have you ever felt like the whispers, giggles, note passing, and looks were directed at you or someone you care about? Imagine if all that attention was channeled into positive action. Disney is supporting Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center in hopes of inspiring social change among young people everywhere”…View the 2-minute PSA

Training Opportunities

• Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: On Friday, November 6 from 8 am - 5 pm will be a free Youth Mental Health First Aid training at the Adams-Friendship Area School District Building. For more information and to register, please see the flyer.
• Domestic Violence in Later Life Conference: This 2nd annual conference will be held November 13 from 9 am - 3:45 pm at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. To learn more and to register, click here. 

Resources

​​International Day of the Girl: October 11 was International Day of the Girl. Check out this powerful video where “thirteen girls from 8 countries perform this dynamic rendition of ‘Yet’ – a poem by British writer and performer Keisha Thompson – to rally girls around the struggle to overcome discrimination, claim their rights and celebrate their futures”…View the video and check out additional resources

News Story: "A father is being held on $500,000 cash bond in Jefferson County on accusations he caused the death of his five-month-old son. 22-year-old Terrance Curtis is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in the Oct. 22 death of Rhett Chesson. Prosecutors say an autopsy showed the baby had blunt force injuries to his head and neck, including skull fractures"...Read more

Obituary: "Sun Prairie - Jane Margaret Skalitzky, age 68, passed away on Friday, September 11, 2015 way too soon but is now with our Lord. She was born to Wilfred and Verena Grosse on July 9, 1947 and raised on a farm near Sun Prairie. She met the love of her life, Joseph Skalitzky, and they were married on November 25, 1967 at Sacred Hearts Church in Sun Prairie. She was a tremendous person who impacted so many people as an educator, volunteer, and friend. Jane was a generous and caring person who always put others' needs before her own. She was a loving mother and grandmother who loved to have fun and at times act much younger than her age. She will be greatly missed by all"...Read more

​
News Story: "...A search warrant to collect various biological DNA from 40-year-old Matthew Skalitzky was filed in Dane County court Tuesday. In the document, police said 68-year-old Jane Skalitzky was found decapitated at her son Matthew Skalitzky's rented condo at 1052 Providence Common Fridayafternoon. Police said Matthew Skalitzky, who had a 'significant amount of blood on him,' was taken into custody at the scene"...Read more

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

Every October we recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Hope House staff and volunteers are organizing and participating in several different events and activities this month throughout our five-county service area, which you will find listed below. We also want to share resources and what others are doing regionally and nationally. For more information, including how you get raise awareness this month and beyond, or if you are seeking additional resources and materials, please call Hope House at 608-356-9123 or send us an email.


New Hope House Video
This October we are excited to unveil our video of survivors we've worked with speaking out. We hope you will watch this 5-minute video and share it with others.

​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, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, 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, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
• Misc: New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, 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

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.

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.

Obituary: "Vista Alexis Jackson was born in Racine, WI on June 23, 2001 to Wendell Jackson and Veia Crockett. Vista attended William Horlick High School. She was so excited about starting her first year as a freshman. Vista enjoyed singing and watching movies. There was something about Vista that always drew little children to her. She loved her family and had dreams of becoming a professional singer after college. Vista’s infectious smile will be dearly missed. Our Sweet Pea closed her eyes on September 10, 2015 at the age of 14"...Read more

News Story: "Racine police have arrested a 14-year-boy in the shooting death of a Racine girl. 

Police said Vista Jackson, 14, was shot in her home about 8:20 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of Albert Street. 

Vista was taken to Wheaton Franciscan Hospital by Racine Fire Rescue, and then was transferred by air to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee, where she died.

'I had just seen her, had just seen this child, you know? She ran past me crying, with one shoe. She came back 20 minutes later. She went and changed her shoes, and then two hours later this child is gone,' neighbor Tara White said.

Investigators have not released any information about what led to the shooting, but said Friday night said they will recommend charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon against the boy. 

​WISN 12 News spoke with close friends of Vista who said she was in an abusive relationship with the 14-year-old boy"...Read more

There is no obituary posted at this time. If we become aware of one, we will post it here.

News Story: "(Muscoda, WI - WKOW)  --  Muscoda police are releasing details of a domestic abuse call from Saturday that ended in what they say is an apparent suicide. Officers arrived at the scene at 317 W. River Road early in the evening to find 63-year-old Candice Carr bound with duct tape. She'd also been severely beaten.
Carr told officers the she and her boyfriend, David Friese, 61, also of Muscoda - which is in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin, had gotten into a verbal argument that quickly turned physical. She told police he'd hit her several times with an aluminum bat and when she tried to fight back, he tied her up with duct tape and continued hitting her. 

Investigators say the assault went on for several minutes and ended when Friese took his own life with a 12-gauge shotgun. Carr was able to free herself and called 911"...Read more