Our Wonderful Schools

The children in our community are so generous.

Just this week I received a donation of over 180 nonperishable food items from Washington Elementary School in Beaver Dam and food items along with a $119 from Lincoln Elementary School in Beaver Dam. Giving our children opportunities to give to those in need truly represents our educational pillars of character at work. Service learning drives the passion to give from a young age. Thank you to the children for giving and the adults that made that giving possible. We at PAVE greatly appreciate it!

Thanks Summit!

I'd like to thank Summit for their warm donation of hats, gloves and socks along with a $200 cash donation to support our work. We certainly appreciate all of your generosity!

Speaking at Rotary

Today I had to opportunity to speak briefly with our local Rotary in Beaver Dam. We talked about the struggles clients that we serve face everyday. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Take this opportunity to become more educated about domestic violence and what you can do to help. Visit our website or call for a presentation. Shown in the photo are myself and Cindy Wruke, a local Edward Jones financial adviser and Rotarian as well as a former PAVE Board member.

Thank You Walmart!

A big thanks to Walmart for their generous donation of $1000 to PAVE. The photo is of Jim Jansen, the General Transportation Manager, and myself out at the Distribution Center. I was so excited to have another jumbo check to hang in the office. Your donation will be put to good use!

Rotary brings fresh produce to PAVE

I would like to extend a big THANKS to Beaver Dam Rotary. They grew and donated fresh produce for PAVE's shelter this year. Last week, on a beautiful August day, I went out to visit their garden site and brought back several bags of squash and tomatoes. Thank you to all the members that made this donation possible!

PAVE at the Dodge County Fair

This year, PAVE has been focusing efforts on outreach and awareness of our services. I would like to extend a big thank you to Mitchell Matuszeski for taking a van to the fair's Demo Derby with PAVE's crisis line number on it. What a unique way to inform the county about our services!!

I also appreciate Ashley Welak (our legal advocate) and her sisiter Jenni Welak's volunteer efforts in painting the vans in teal, purple and blue - the colors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Awareness.

I also would like to thank WBEV/WXRO radiostation for inviting me out to paint faces at their Children's tent during the fair. It was lots of fun!

The Ups and Downs of My Job - National Night Out

The Big Up
PAVE staff and volunteers participated in National Night Out at Swan Park in Beaver Dam. PAVE provided water bottles, brochures, stuffed animals and coloring books to area children. It is our hope that they have many different ways to find PAVE's contact information should they ever need it. I was VERY excited to start the night with a photo with my daughter and the Oscar Mayer gang.

The Many "Downs"

Then, as promised, I got into the Dunk Tank to support the Beaver Dam Citizen's Police group. Last year, I only got dunked twice. This year, I was in at least a dozen times! Sheriff Todd Nehls sat in after me and I'd like to thank him for the "assist" he provided my daughter in my final dunk. It was a very fun night.

Am Vets Donate Food

A big thanks to the local vets that gathered food for a donation to the pantry at PAVE. With as busy as our shelter is, it was much appreciated.

My favorite part of the visit was when I started to pick up bags to take them out to my truck and two of the gentlemen each grabbed an end of the table and carried the ENTIRE donation outside on the table! Keep in mind, this wasn't a table full of Cheerios boxes....those bags are stuffed with heavy cans. Impressive!

Thanks everyone!

PAVE visits Horicon Phoenix

Thank you to the Horicon Phoenix group for inviting PAVE out to their Farmer's Market last night. We gave away some PAVE water bottles, brochures and painted some faces. We also enjoyed the FFA's corn boil and the music of Steve Cohen. It was a very nice event...my family and I had a great time and got some fantastic food (I ate the bread and green beans on the way home!)

Horicon Phoenix will also be providing their proceeds to PAVE for the markets held this Saturday July 24 8am-noon, Wednesday August 18th 4pm-8pm and Saturday August 21st 8am-noon. Please stop out and support them and see the new rain shed they are working on. Thanks to the whole group for being so welcoming and for supporting services to victims of violence.

A Lake Days Celebration

The Lake Days Steering Committee invited me to attend the Ecumenical Polka Service this past Sunday provided by Rev. Mary Mail. It was the most unique service I have attended (this poorly lit photo from my phone that day doesn't do it justice). The Don Peachy Polka Band plays, the Asbury Clowns performed and I spoke about the services we provide to victims of violence in Dodge County. The collection raised over $500 for PAVE. A special thanks to Rev. Mary, whose line I must remember....she said her Bishop insisted on quiet money, not that kind that jingles. Thank you to everyone for their generosity and kindness.

Outreach to Ashippun

This year, PAVE wanted to reach out to some of the smaller communities in Dodge County to make certain people there knew our services were available to them as well. Here I am, painting faces at the Ashippun Fireman's Picnic, while my daughter Liberty hands out stuffed animals with PAVE's information on them to the kids. I'd like to thank Sara Schlieve for offering the space in the family booth! Hope to see you again next year!

Children's Radiothon 2010

Heidi Stark, PAVE's Case Manager and Jen Kunath, PAVE's Children's Advocate are show grilling up brats at Leroy Meats in Horicon to help raise funds for the Children's Radiothon. WBEV/WXRO raises money every year for local charities that support children. Thanks!

SKDS Donates Reading Bags

We had a lovely surprise last week when a few St. Katherine Drexel students stopped by with reading bags they created. The bags not only contained books, but also had fun activities for children to do in conjunction with the books to further develop their connections to the text.

Pictured with me from left to right are teacher Ruth Kaiser and students Livi Clark, Sami Schmitt, Madison Jewell and Madeline McGauley. Thank you ladies for an awesome idea and a great donation!

PAVE reaches out at Horicon Rockn' River Jam

A big thanks to Jen Kunath, PAVE's Children's Advocate (left) and Ashely Welak, PAVE's Legal Advcoate (right - appearing as Felix the Frog) for reaching out to the Horicon community at Rockn' River Jam. We hope that our information got out to those that needed it. If you are a victim of violence or know someone who is, please consider accessing resources in your community for help.

Beaver Dam Community Hosptial Foundation purchases medication lock boxes

It is important that PAVE clients have a safe place to store any medications they may need to bring to shelter.

PAVE would like to thank Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation for the generous donation of 12 clear medical lock boxes for this purpose.

This photo shows our Case Manager, Heidi with Beaver Dam Community Hospital's Director of Marketing and Development Candace Beckman in one of the PAVE shelter bedrooms where a box has been installed.

Beaver Dam Community Hospital Employees Donate

A big THANKS to Beaver Dam Community Hospital Employees who donated our top three wishlist items (copy papers, hand soap and trash bags) in mass! We appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Volunteer Time Pays Off for Everyone

Our volunteer Rita Shears, an employee of Kraft, is shown with me in an office Rita painted for us. Rita donated over 50 hours of service and PAVE received a donation from Kraft. Thank you Rita and Kraft for your dedication to victims of violence.

Alliant Energy Donates to PAVE

This photo is of Kathy Liefer of Alliant Energy and I. Alliant generously donated over $1000 to emergency transportation for victims of violence this year. In 2008, Alliant donated $3000 for first month's rent for victims. Thanks Alliant!

PAVE at the Children's Share Fair - Beaver Dam Mall

This weekend PAVE's Children's Advocate Jen Kunath and and Executive Director Jamie Kratz-Gullickson were at the Children's Share Fair at the Beaver Dam mall. We made Hands For Peace (a shortened version of our elementary school activity) and we painted faces for fun. This event is held annually in Beaver Dam. Be sure to come say "hello" to us at our booth at next year's event.

The Interview

Today, I was interviewed by a gal doing a school project. She asked all the typical questions - what do you do, what's easy, what's hard, what services to you offer to victims, etc, etc. And then she asked: Why did you get into this field? I explained my history, my a-ha moment and why this work is a calling for me. I'd like to thank her for helping me stop in the middle of a Friday afternoon and remember why I do what I do. If you see one of our staff - ask them why they do this work. I think we all have very heartfelt and interesting reasons. Sharing and reflecting on those reasons helps re-fuel our passion.
Thanks!

Inside PAVE

Would you like to know more about the services PAVE provides and how we do it? Take a few minutes to watch this video we produced to give you an inside look at what we do.

3rd Annual PAVE Mother's Day Card Fundraiser

Honor someone special with a Mother's Day card from PAVE. By donating $15 or more to end domestic violence and/or sexual assault, you can request that PAVE send a card to an extraordinary person in your life with a short note about your donation. PAVE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, so all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. All cards feature the art (show above) of Amy Rice. Amy is a Minnesota artist, who was born and raised in Dodge County. To learn more about Amy's work please visit her website www.amyrice.com.

Cards will be mailed the week of May 3rd. In order to ensure timely delivery, we require receipt of your request by April 30, 2010. All requests should include name and address of donor, a donation of $15 or more, name and address of recipient and a brief message to include.

Please mail your requests to PAVE PO Box 561, Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

Sweet Thanks Recipients

Our 2010 Sweet Thanks event had two purposes. One was to raise funds to support the work we do with victims of violence. The other was to thank those in our community that go above and beyond to further our mission. While we had many excellent candidates this year, as it was our first opportunity to give awards, we finally decided on these wonderful recipients.

Representing Rechek's Food Pride in Beaver Dam is Brett Rechek as our business/group recipient. Rechek's puts together bags of househould items and groceries based on what our shelter needs are and sells them in the store. Last year, they did this twice, as our food and shelter item donations were low. Their bags got our pantry and supply shelves stocked through this winter with items that we truly needed.

Elaine Mullin is our individual recipient of the 2010 Sweet Thanks award. Elaine was intregal in getting our shelter meditation room set up by assisting curtains, helping to secure a flooring donation and delivering books on domestic violence and sexual assault. Elaine also put us in touch with Knight of Columbus who donated money to address some electrical repairs.

On the far right is Jason Fenske, our volunteer recipient. Jason came to us as a Criminal Justice intern and helped with everything from initial victim meetings to answering the crisis line to yard clean up. He was always willing to do whatever needed to be done and we appreciate his efforts.

Beaver Dam Jazz Ensemble Plays at Sweet Thanks

Led by Rich Zeman, the Beaver Dam High School Jazz Ensemble provided an hour of entertainment to our Sweet Thanks guests. They were fantastic! Thank you all for donating your time and talent to our cause.

4-H Donates to Sweet Thanks Event

Leipsic and Burnett 4-H donated delicious appetizers to our Sweet Thanks event. We appreciate all the time, energy and resources they put in to helping make our event a success.
Thank you!

Marge Theis attends Sweet Thanks 2010

Our 2010 Sweet Thanks Event was quite a success. Here I am chatting with Marge Theis, the woman that wrote for the initial grant to start PAVE and signed our Articles of Incorporation. We were happy to have her in attendance

March 6th 2010 Fundraiser!

Join us Saturday March 6th 6pm-8pm!

Tickets are $25 and available at Rechek's and Nancy's Notions
All proceeds benefit PAVE and victims of violence

6-7pm - Performance by Beaver Dam High School Jazz Ensemble
7pm-7:30pm Delicious Dessert Auction
7:30-8pm Sweet Thanks Awards

Call PAVE at 920-887-3810 for more details.

Booster Club Event

Friday, February 5th PAVE was invited to join the Beaver Dam Booster Club at the Girl's High School basketball game. Individuals from the community brought out over 200 items to donate to PAVE! The Booster Club drew for prizes for those donating items. Thanks for making us part of your evening. Show in the photo are Ann, our Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, me, the Beaver Dam High School Mascot and Heidi, our Case Manager.

Republicans Support PAVE

Jeff Fitzgerald stopped over the other week to drop off a $1000 donation from the annual Legislative Charity Challenge Golf Outing. The Republicans won the event and donated their winnings to PAVE. Thanks everyone!

Meditation Room Opens

Early in 2009, the staff at PAVE started talking in earnest about how we could make our shelter and our programs more victim centered. Considering the question: If I needed services, what would help make that a better experience? We've made lots of positive changes – adding a monthly family night for our support group participants where non-offending parents and their children engage in activities together to strengthen their bonds (funded in 2010 by the Beaver Dam noon Kiwanis), creating advocaty evaluations so our clients can provide anonymous feedback regarding the services they received, starting a clinic right at the courthouse so victims across the county do not have to travel to our offices to receive assistance with restraining orders.

My favorite project – the one that has been my baby all year – is our Meditation Room. I knew with the numbers at PAVE as they stood in 2009 (shelter nights quadrupled since 2007), anyone staying with us could use some space and time of their own. Our shelter has mostly communal spaces – the kitchen, living room, playroom and bathrooms are all shared. Last year, due to the great need, even the bedrooms were holding multiple families, giving residents no space to be alone, reflect, meditate, pray, read, journal, whatever they choose to obtain peace of mind during their tumultuous experience.

So began my quest to find donors to turn a tiny room we were using for office supplies into a useful space in our shelter. Local Beaver Dam resident Elaine Mullin was integral in making this a reality. Her and a group of friends made new window coverings for the entire shelter, including the meditation room. She also ordered a core list of books related to domestic violence and sexual assault to fill the bookshelves. Then she approached Joe at Integrity Flooring. Joe dedicated new carpeting not only to the meditation room, but our playroom and two bathrooms – going above and beyond what we ever expected. Elaine also contacted Lori Liddicoat, who donated a couch and chair in honor of her mom. Inspired by Elaine's success and momentum, I emailed Animart to see if we could get a little fish tank for the room. Within a few weeks, they delivered a 55 gallon tank and stand to match. I purchased new paint and a volunteer from Kraft, Rita Shears, spent an entire day re-painting the room. To top everything off, our Board and staff made donations in honor of Donna L. Griep – Board member Rich Griep's mother – who had recently passed. With those donations we purchased a filter, fish and food, truly giving life to the room. It opened Christmas Eve – a gift from the community to make residency in shelter a bit more peaceful.

You have all heard me say it a million times before, but it is worth repeating. This community is amazing. I have been Executive Director at PAVE for just under two years and in that time there hasn't been a goal, a project, a need for victims that I have expressed that has gone unfulfilled. Our staff, our Board of Directors, our community make it a joy and an honor to fulfill my calling of assisting those affected by violence. Thank you.

Thank you Quad Graphics - Windhover Foundation

In 2009, PAVE sent a request to the Quad Graphics Windhover Foundation asking that they assist us in updating our fire alarm system. This week, Jenny Wnuk, Quad Graphics Hartford Plant Manager stopped by the office to drop off the check. Today I am meeting with our local fire department to review our updates. This grant will not only make our shelter a safer place by adding smoke detectors, pull stations and strobe lights, it will give our fire department some relief from the false alarms our old system kept setting off. Thank you so much Quad Graphics and everyone at the Windhover Foundation!
-Jamie