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