by Arica Roland, Friends of Yates
Approximately one out of three women and one out of four men will experience domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime.
According to the 2021 KBI report, in Wyandotte County there were 804 protection from abuse orders filed.
In the state of Kansas one domestic violence murder occurred every 11 days, one domestic violence incident occurred every 23 minutes, and Kansas law enforcement made one domestic violence arrest every 47 minutes, 22 seconds.
A tradition for over 30 years, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed for the purpose of mourning those who have died as a result of the abuse, celebrating those who have survived, raising public consciousness about violence in the home and encouraging individuals to help eliminate it.
On Oct. 28, Friends of Yates held its 21st Annual Domestic Violence Community Luncheon in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This event was held at the Friends of Yates Center where community agencies, organizations, faith leaders, community members, partners, state, local and government officials gathered to bring awareness of this serious social ill as well as celebrate and recognize the honorees for their collaborative efforts to assist survivors of domestic violence to live violence-free lives.
The program was led by Christel Bell, emcee, from Fox 4 News. The Rev. Robert Milan Jr., Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the invocation followed by a warm welcome extended by Robert “Bob” Milan Sr., Friends of Yates Board president, and the occasion given by LaDora Lattimore, special events coordinator.
Arica Roland, Friends of Yates executive director, addressed the audience by giving the 2021 program highlights of Friends of Yates program-The Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams Domestic Violence Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence and their dependent children, which included providing 8,825 bed nights to adult and children survivors fleeing domestic violence, over 11,176 24-hour crisis hotline calls answered which included not only crisis calls and safety planning calls, but information, referrals and supportive services to residential and non-residential survivors and their children and community outreach and awareness to over 3,600 individuals and groups.
Greetings were shared by several government officials which included Unified Government Mayor and CEO Tyrone Garner; Kate Rohr, senior legislative assistant to U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids; State Rep. Pam Curtis; State Sen. Pat Pettey; Bishop and Judge Timothy L. Dupree Sr., Coadjutor Bishop-New Life Fellowship of Churches, Inc. – District Judge 29th Judicial District of Kansas; Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of TANF and Early Childhood Programs, Kansas Department Children and Family Services.
This year’s featured artists included a piano solo by Paul Burnett, Eighth Street Baptist Church, who serenaded the audience with a performance. Carolynn Washington delivered a spirited original song encouraging and lifting the honorees and all present. In between these two powerful performances, a courageous survivor participating in the DG-JHWC program, shared her personal story of victimization and how she has found strength and gotten her freedom back since coming to the DG-JHW shelter for services.
In recognition of extraordinary community efforts to not only end violence, but to also be a support and or resource to survivors; community activists, officials and advocates received the “Representative -Commissioner Thomas Burroughs – Mayor Tyrone Garner Exemplary Service Award.” The honorees of this award have individually or collectively affected the lives of survivors of abuse. Commissioner Thomas Burroughs, and UG Mayor-CEO Tyrone Garner presented this year’s honorees with their awards.
The Commissioner Thomas Burroughs – Mayor Tyrone Garner recipients are Alexandria Block, First Grade, Piper Elementary; Porcia Block, senior vice president, general auditor, Federal Reserve Bank KC, Friends of Yates Board Member; Lauren Cooper, outreach coordinator, Vibrant Health; Jennifer Ellerman, TANF Services manager, DCF; April Hartwig, president WYCO Sisterhood Foundation; Sheila Hollis, TANF Initiatives program manager, economic and employment services DCF; Claudean Horton, Friends of Yates Board member; Rachel Habel, Dispatcher Service Administration, lineage; Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Karen Jones, fleet safety, Security Manager KU Medical Center, Friends of Yates Board treasurer – chair direct, Donnelly College Board of Directors Vice Chair, UG City Planning Commission; Bettye Maddox, American Postal Workers Union Local, State and National Retiree Officer; Andrea Tapia; executive director-CEO, Housing Authority of KCK; Deborah Vanoy, retired accounting specialist; Mr. and Mrs. James and Phyllis White, school administrator and educator retirees; Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of TANF and early childhood programs DCF. All received a special honor and thanks for their dedication and service.
LaDora Lattimore, special events coordinator and recently retired executive director-CEO of Friends of Yates, spoke of the birth of Friends of Yates over 40 years ago when it severed ties with the YWCA and became its own entity. The organization has come a long way but it’s going to take the continued support, especially monetarily, of the community and partners to ensure Friends of Yates is able to continually provide the vital, lifesaving services to survivors fleeing domestic violence.
Lattimore appealed to guests to give what they could monetarily as well as thanked those who’ve continued to support the agency.
Arica Roland gave closing remarks and announced the staff member of the year, Sandra McMurtrey, social worker, who received a very well-deserved honor of recognition for her dedication and hard work for the agency and survivors. The benediction was delivered by the Rev. Robert Milan Jr., pastor of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church, and attendees were invited to enjoy a prepared boxed meal for lunch.
The 21st Annual Domestic Violence Community Luncheon was one of two events held in observation of Domestic Violence Month. The Friends Saving Lives through Praise fundraising benefit was also held on Oct. 9. Upcoming events include the Holiday at the Apollo Gala annual meeting and benefit Saturday, Dec. 10, and the 43rd Annual Black Men and Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony recognizing contributions and achievements made by African Americans, in recognition of “Black History Month” on Feb. 26, 2023.
Current events, initiatives and programs of Friends of Yates, Inc. include Black Men and Women of Distinction Program; (CACE) program, Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort; National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Evening of Praise, and Community Luncheon and the Holiday at the Apollo Gala. The premier program is the Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence and their dependent children. Some of the many programs offered through DG-JHWC include; (PAVE) program, Pathway to Advocacy and Violence free living and Economic empowerment. BridgeSpan Healthcare Advocacy Program; Emergency Shelter; Supportive Housing; Court-Legal Advocacy; Mental Health Services; Child Care; Translation Services; Community Outreach and Education; Strength-Based Case Management; 24-hour Crisis Hotline, Job Coaching and Economic Empowerment.
To gain more information about Friends of Yates, Inc. or upcoming events, contact the administrative office, Carlen Roland at 913-321-1566. Partners, volunteers, or donors for services provided by Friends of Yates, Inc. are welcome.
- Carlen Davis, community outreach communicator, Friends of Yates
