Approximately one out of three women and one out of four men will experience domestic or sexual violence in their lifetime.
According to the 2019 KBI report, 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, 35 seconds.
A tradition for over 30 years, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (NDVAM) 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. 29, 2021, Friends of Yates held its 20th 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, from Fox 4 News. The Rev. Dr. Desmond Lamb, pastor, Forest Grove Baptist Church, delivered a very touching invocation followed by a warm welcome extended by Dr. Marvin McIntosh, Friends of Yates Board secretary. The occasion was given by LaDora Lattimore, special events coordinator.
Rebbecca Johnson, Friends of Yates program director, addressed the audience by giving the 2021 program overview of Friends of Yates program – The Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Domestic Violence Center (DG-JHWC) for Survivors of Domestic Violence and their dependent children.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact victims and survivors, The Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Domestic Violence Center continued to provide services which included shelter and supportive housing services to over 180 adult and 81 child survivors of domestic violence, answered over 9,749 calls which included not only crisis calls and safety planning, but information and referrals and provided over 10,000 hours of supportive services to residential and non-residential survivors and their children in the areas of personal advocacy, court-legal advocacy, safety planning, translation services, economic advocacy, housing advocacy, transportation, domestic violence education and support groups, substance abuse counseling, individual therapy and mental health counseling, emergency financial assistance and child advocacy just to name a few. Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams center provided virtual and in person community outreach and awareness to over 3,600 individuals and groups. They also assisted 71 individuals with either obtaining or maintaining permanent housing by providing rent, deposit, and utility assistance.
Greetings were shared by several government officials and their offices which included: WYCO UG Commissioners Gayle E. Townsend, and Thomas Burroughs; Mayor-Elect Tyrone Garner, retired deputy chief, KCKPD; Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of TANF and Early Childhood Programs, Kansas DCF; and a message via prerecorded video from U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids.
This year’s featured artists included a song selection by Paul Burnett of Eighth Street Baptist Church, who serenaded the audience with a performance of ”Lord I’ve Tried” and “Well Done.” Also, Stacy Putman of Heritage Dance Ministry performed a liturgical dance to “It’s Not Over (When God is in It)” by James Fortune featuring Jason Nelson. After these two powerful performances, Chynna McDaniel, case manager, shared the story of a courageous survivor participating in the DG-JHWC program, her personal story of victimization and how she has found strength and gained her freedom back since coming to the shelter for services.
Carolynn Washington, client service-shelter manager, then performed a soul stirring, self-written lyrics to honor the honorees to the tune of “When We All Come Together,” her personalized rendition of “When We All Get to Heaven” before the “Clyde E. Townsend-Rosalyn Brown Distinguished Service Award” recipients were announced.
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 “Clyde A. Townsend-Rosalyn Brown Distinguished Service Award.” The well-deserved honorees of this award have individually or collectively impacted the lives of survivors of abuse. Judge Timothy Dupree of the 29th Judicial District of Kansas and his wife Tamara Dupree presented this year’s honorees with their awards. The 2021 Clyde A. Townsend-Rosalyn Brown recipients are Chelsea Barto, Mission Continues K.C., Commissioner Melissa Bynum, Rep. and Commissioner Tom Burroughs, Errol Cade, Operations Business manager, Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church-Youth Development School, U.S .Rep. Sharice Davids, Beth Davis Kansas City Kiwanis Club, Joseph Gethers, Friends of Yates board member, Joyce Grover executive director, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence; Sheila Hollis, TANF Initiatives Program Manager, Kansas DCF-EES, Claudine Horton, Metropolitan Baptist Temple, Commissioner Harold Johnson, Todd Jordan, chief community engagement officer, United Way of Greater Kansas City, Jessica McClellan, founder-president, Giving Hope and Help Inc., Robert “Bob” Milan, Sr., president of BPU Board of Directors and Friends of Yates Board of Directors, Commissioner Jane Philbrook, Rob Santel, director of Housing Solutions, Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Cassandra Savage of The Savage Group, Elaine L. Stroud, director of housing operations KCK Housing Authority, Commissioner Gayle E. Townsend, Carla Whiteside-Hicks, director of TANF and Early Childhood Programs, Kansas DCF and Robin Winner, co-executive director, Synergy Services. All received a special honor and thanks for their dedication and service.
LaDora Lattimore, special events coordinator and retired executive director-CEO of Friends of Yates, spoke of the birth of Friends of Yates 43 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 have continued to support the agency. Bob Milan Sr. gave closing remarks and presented Christel Bell, who received an honor of recognition as mistress of ceremony. The benediction was delivered by Dr. Rev. Desmond Lamb to close out the afternoon celebration.
The usual fellowship over a full course plated meal that has always been provided for participants and guests at past luncheons did not take place as a precautionary measure and COVID-19 safety guidelines. However, attendees were provided a gourmet boxed lunch at the close of the program, prepared by Mennie Brown, culinary services coordinator and Gregory Estis, assistant culinary advocate. Elegant, inspired corsages presented to program participants and honorees were provided by event photographer, Leslie Burleson and honoree plaques were designed by Ed’s Trophies and Awards.
Upcoming events include the Holiday at the Apollo Gala annual meeting and benefit Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, and the 41st Annual Black Men and Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony recognizing contributions and achievements made by African Americans within the community and beyond in February 2022 to honor “Black History Month.”
Current events, initiatives and programs of Friends of Yates, Inc. include Black Men and Women of Distinction Program; (CACE) 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) Pathway to Advocacy and Violence free living and Economic empowerment, which is a collaborative program between Friends of Yates and the Department of Children and Family Services, to provide domestic violence and sexual assault services to TANF recipients and families receiving childcare and food stamp benefits. 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 further information about Friends of Yates Inc., or upcoming events, contact the administrative office at 913-321-1566. The community is invited to become a partner, volunteer, or donor for the services provided by Friends of Yates, Inc.
Information from Carlen Davis, community outreach educator, Friends of Yates