Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Safe Community Coalition Domestic Violence Prevention Task Group met March 10.

Here is the agenda provided by the group:

1. Call to Order / Attendance

2. Approval of Minutes from the January 13, 2025 Task Group Meeting

3. Old Business

a. “Teen Dating Violence: What Trusted Adults Should Know” – in support of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

i. This event was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, via Zoom Videoconference. Nicole (Nikki) Merriman was the featured speaker who shared her personal story of a dating violence incident (sexual assault) that occurred when she was a teen. Nikki shared how the incident affected her and how she dealt with the stigma attached to the incident. Nikki’s presentation was very powerful and those in attendance appreciated Nikki’s courage for sharing her story with the intent of helping others.

ii. Jenny Guiney, Groundwork Community Outreach Supervisor, Guardian Angel Community Services, defined teen dating violence, discussed the different types of domestic violence relationships, defined abusive behavior, explained why some victims remain in abusive relationships, shared myths surrounding domestic violence and provided information regarding available resources.

iii. Marie Goulet, LCSW and Lead Social Worker for New Lenox School District #122, discussed the effects that social media have on teens, provided a school perspective on teen dating violence and shared information regarding available resources.

iv. 102 citizens registered to attend via Eventbrite and approximately 65 were in attendance. Well done!

4. New Business

a. Domestic Violence 101 (aka DV 101)

i. DV 101 will be held via Zoom Videoconference from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Tracy Curtis, Community Education and Outreach Coordinator, Crisis Center for South Suburbia, will be the presenter.

b. Sexual Violence in a Digital World – in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

i. Sexual Violence in a Digital World will be held via Zoom Videoconference from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Recently, Planning Team Members (Ariel Ruttenberg, Jenny Guiney, Erin Hanrahan, Penny Eriks, Meaghan South and Sherry Coe) held a meeting to discuss this event. Today, they will outline the event’s format, speakers and learning objectives.

c. Future Events and Activities – “A thru Z” Listing of Programs

i. Building Healthy Relationships with Ourselves and Others

• April 25, 2022

• February 27, 2023

• February 5, 2024

ii. Domestic Violence 101: Awareness, Prevention and Safety

• March 27, 2024

iii. DV 101

• March 27, 2025

iv. One Thing: Speak Up, Speak Out

• October 27, 2021

• October 3, 2022

• October 2, 2023

v. Sexual Violence in a Digital World

• April 15, 2025

vi. Teen Dating Violence: What You Should Know to Support and Help Prevent 

• May 2, 2023

vii. Teen Dating Violence: What Trusted Adults Should Know

• February 25, 2025

5. Good of the Order / Organization Updates

6. The next New Lenox Safe Community Coalition meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 / 10:30am, at Gatto’s Italian Restaurant in New Lenox. A FREE luncheon will immediately follow the meeting. THIS WILL BE DAN MARTIN’S LAST MEETING AND HE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IF EVERYONE WOULD ATTEND.

7. Next Task Group Meeting will take place on Monday, May 12, 2025 / 10:30am, via Zoom videoconference.

8. Adjournment

https://www.newlenox.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_03102025-373