Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Communities America, Domestic Violence Prevention Task Group met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the group:

CALL TO ORDER

This meeting was held via Zoom videoconference. Ariel Ruttenberg the meeting to order at 10:30am.

IN ATTENDANCE

Dan Martin / Village of New Lenox, Ariel Ruttenberg / New Lenox Police Department, Jenny Guiney / Guardian Angel Community Services, Amirrah Abou- Youssef / Family Violence Coordinating Council – 12th Judicial District, Olga Viano / New Lenox Community Park District, Jan Dombrowski / HERO, Nicole Suhm / Crisis Center for South Suburbia, Breann Fischer / Guardian Angel Community Services, Jennefer Hofferica / Nadine’s Blue Butterfly, Abby Gentile / Begin Within Therapy Services, Inc., Jen Vujosevic / Lincoln Way Community High School District 210, Marie Kress / The Kennedy Center for Counseling, Penny Eriks / Silver Cross Hospital and Diane Scruggs / Will County Health Department.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Marie Kress advised that she will be opening the “The Mental Wellness Center of Manhattan” and will be leaving the Kennedy Center for Counseling. Marie advised that her new business will be opening in June.

Everyone congratulated Marie and wished her well. *Marie will still be involved with our Coalition.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Minutes from the March 11, 2024 Task Group Meeting, which had been disseminated via email to Task Group members, were discussed. Jennefer Hofferica made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Amirrah Abou-Youssef. After no further discussion, the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

“Domestic Violence 101: Awareness, Prevention and Safety”

This event was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm via Zoom Videoconference. Sixty-seven people registered for this presentation via Eventbrite, which was well-received. The presenters were as follows: Jenny Guiney, Guardian Angel Community Services, Marie Kress, The Kennedy Center for Counseling, Ariel Ruttenberg, New Lenox Police Department, and Erin Hanrahan, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.

Meeting attendees thanked the presenters for doing a terrific job!

NEW BUSINESS

“Teen Dating Violence: What You Should Know to Support and Help Prevent” A discussion was held during the last Task Group Meeting about offering this presentation, via Zoom, for parents of teenagers. Since Lincoln-Way Community High School District #210’s parents would likely make up a good majority of the attendees, the group thought it would be a good idea to have District personnel involved in the planning of this event. A Planning Team (Ariel Ruttenberg, Meaghan South, Jen Vujosevic, Jenny Guiney, Amirrah Abou-Youssef and Ausra Tauginaite) was formed and will provide information regarding their meeting and this event today.

A Planning Team Meeting was held in early April and it was decided to put the event on hold at this time, perhaps until September or so. The decision was made, in part, so that Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 (staff) can be involved. A contact (Tina Boseo) at Lincoln-Way CENTRAL High School was provided to the Planning Team. Amirrah advised that she was told that as of now, no one from Lincoln-Way has responded to the request to participate. Marie Kress mentioned that she’s personal friends with Tina and she will reach out to see if more can be done.

This event will be placed on the Agenda for the July 15th Task Group Meeting for further discussion.

GOOD OF THE ORDER / ORGANIZATION UPDATES

Dan Martin mentioned that if an organization wished to host a training class on Domestic Violence, we (Village of New Lenox / New Lenox Safe Community Coalition and collaborative partners) could provide a location. Potential locations were mentioned and discussed.

Dan also mentioned that this group, if there was interest, could host an awareness event as well.

Amirrah Abou-Youssef advised that the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Tech Safety Training that was held on April 11th at Lewis University went very well. There were 76 people in attendance. Ariel attended this event and provided a summary for those in attendance.

Amirrah advised that she saw this task group as a “visible partner” only. Ariel then mentioned that Amirrah has a budget from the State of Illinois to host training, so it would likely not be feasible for this group to host some of these events.

Guardian Angel Community Services “Songs for Survivors” was held on April 12th at Pelican Harry’s in Homer Glen.

“Walk a Mile” was held on April 18th at the Joliet Public Library. This event was held in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Jenny Guiney advised that Guardian Angel Community Services will be having their 5K in New Lenox. The date will be in October and she will pass along additional information when it becomes available.

Additional ideas for training:

• Nicole Suhm - Crisis Center for South Suburbia also does shorter, evening trainings (DV 101 https://crisisctr.org/get-educated/educational-opportunities/

• Jennefer Hofferica - Highlight tech or financial control as part of DV awareness.

• Marie Kress - DV and electronic abuse / bullying on mental health.

Save the Date – Domestic Violence Summit on August 8th, Tri-River Training at the Plainfield Fire Department. The event will bring local Domestic Violence professionals from different backgrounds (ex. DV Advocates, Police Officers, Counselors) together to learn from one another. **per Amirrah, this may be moved to a two-day training on Strangulation / Domestic Violence and it may be moved to Lewis University**

Save the Date - October 24, 2024 will be Will County Take Back the Night. This event will be held at Crossroads Christian Church in Joliet, IL. The event starts at 5:00pm with presentations starting at 6:00pm. This year’s focus will be on Domestic Violence within same sex relationships.

Amirrah will be on a leave of absence for about 3 months starting in mid-August.

Jennefer Hofferica explained the mission of Nadine’s Blue Butterfly and the services they provide to those in need. They will be having their 2nd Annual Rummage Sale (books, toys, etc… all FREE). This event will be held on Sunday, June 9th in Lockport, IL. Jennefer will be sharing a flyer about the event.

Jan Dombrowski advised that HERO will be having their Grand Opening on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at their new location in Joliet, IL. There will be drug sniffing dogs, the DEA’s vehicle, and other activities.

Ariel advised that “Cop on Top” will be held at the Dunkin Donuts on Laraway & Nelson Road starting at 5:00am. Ariel explained the event and how it benefits the Illinois Special Olympics.

Ariel advised that she will be on leave for 2 or 3 months starting in August or September.

NEXT COALITION MEETING DATE

The next Coalition Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 / 10:30am via Zoom videoconference.

NEXT TASK GROUP MEETING DATE

The next meeting of the Domestic Violence Prevention Task Group will be Monday, July 15, 2024 / 10:30am via Zoom videoconference.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:18am.

Domestic Violence Prevention Task Group

“To reduce physical injuries and deaths, and emotional injury and hardships, associated with domestic violence, through the establishment of collaborative partnerships and the implementation of educational programs, strategies and initiatives.”

https://www.newlenox.net/files/documents/SafeCommunitiesAmericaTaskGroupsMinutes05-13-24104844052924AM1352.pdf