RESTORE

Saturday June 19 is #Juneteenth, a national holiday commemorating the enforcement of the end of slavery in the United States and first recognized in Texas in 1866. In Black communities across the country the day is sometimes called "Juneteenth Independence Day" or "Freedom Day" and includes celebrations that are joyous, restful and communal--remembering the history of Black Americans and to recognize the achievement, excellence and perseverance of Black people, whether ensla...ved or free. At RESTORE, we are aware of the intersectional and complex ways historical trauma--and specifically anti-Black racism--manifests today, which include amplified rates of sexual and domestic violence for people of color. As a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York , RESTORE affirms that racism is a public health crisis. At RESTORE, we recognize and celebrate this Juneteenth.

So glad to join Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York at Batavia Pride 2021 with GLOW OUT ! #Pride

Sharing our video from last year as we are fully into #Pride2021 ! Get your tickets for Batavia pride (this weekend!) From GLOW OUT and know that always, RESTORE supports all survivors #Pride

Residential schools were mechanisms of oppression and trauma including sexual abuse of the indigenous populations who lived in colonized areas throughout the US and Canada. Attendance at residential schools was mandatory for indigenous children in the US until 1978. This latest news highlights the legacy of genocide and white supremacist violence, which often overlaps with sexual violence as a mechanism of power and control, around the world and in the US. Only through learning the truth and genuinely working to repair will we understand the path to healing. We mourn with the loved ones of these children and others. Graphics and information via the On Canada Project

Welcome to our last #TraumaInformedTuesday for this May! During #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, RESTORE has posted each week about a tenet of Trauma Informed Care. So far, we have touched on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs; Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs; and the Pillars of Trauma Informed Care. Today's Trauma Informed Tuesday post is lengthy -- tips on incorporating Trauma Informed Care into virtual meetings, including an example shared by our Program Director Mary Jo.... Virtual meetings create points of Activation, which can be helped by employing the principles of Trauma Informed Care. For more information on Incorporating Trauma Informed Care into virtual meetings, visit traumainformedoregon.org . #trauma #TraumaInformed

Riveted by keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart during the 25th annual Summit on Child Abuse With Bivona Child Advocacy Center . Grateful to have the conference back this year #TrustHealingJustice #InThisTogether

UPDATE: During this time of #socialdistancing to reduce the impact of the #Coronavirus on the communities we serve, RESTORE is working to accommodate safety needs for clients and staff while continuing to provide information, options, and support for all who are impacted by sexual violence (and, in Wyoming county, domestic violence). RESTORE staff will be slowly returning to the office and counseling/therapy sessions will continue to be virtual but could be in-person dependi...ng on needs and comfort level. Staff are still responding to hospital calls via phone. Education programs and trainings are being offered virtually, but could also be offered in-person depending upon the size of the group, needs, and comfort level. Our hotlines continue to be staffed (585-546-2777 in Monroe County; 1-800-527-1757 in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming counties) 24/7, and we are keeping in close contact with our partners in law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the medical fields to stay current on emerging updates and options for survivors. Counseling, referrals, and crisis support will continue via communication methods the survivor feels comfortable using, including phone calls, video chats, texting, and emails. We also encourage partners and community members to engage with our social media (@RESTOREsas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) for real-time updates. For more information, please contact our hotlines or email [email protected] This is an uncertain time, which can be difficult for many people in many different ways. During this time and always, we encourage everyone to engage in meaningful self-care and to pay attention to basic daily needs, such as healthy eating and sleeping. Please reach out if you are in need of support, and take care in the coming weeks as we take our next steps together. #InThisTogether

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Relationship Roundup episode about The Office and our special Take Action Night episode about Grey's Anatomy! We will be hosting the last episode of Relationship Roundup tomorrow night at 7pm where we try to look past the chaos that is Tiger King and take a good look at the relationship dynamics of these fascinating subjects. The Zoom link is below, no need to register! Hope to see you there! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87983375447

A lot of times when people talk about domestic violence heterosexual relationships are the only ones that are mentioned. That is why today we wanted to talk about domestic violence within the LGBTQ+ community! Swipe to the through to see some statistics, barriers and unique challenges that this community faces and where to find some LGBTQ+ specific resources! . If you or someone you know needs support you can call our 24/7 hotline at: 1-800-527-1757 #restore #domesticviolenceawareness #lgbtq #inthistogether

Our next #FearlessLeaderFriday post is trailblazer #ShirleyChisholm! The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Shirley Chisholm spent childhood between New York City and her maternal grandmother’s farm in Barbados. After earning degrees from Brooklyn College in 1946 and Columbia University in 1952, she became an advocate for children and early education. In 1953 Shirley Chisholm campaigned for the first-ever Black judge in Brooklyn, an effort that formed the Belford-Stuyvesant P...olitical League which advocated for civil rights issues. Chisholm left the BSPL in 1958 after disagreements over the amount of power women members should have in the group. Chisholm was a member of many white-dominated political clubs, including the League of Women Voters. She campaigned for Black candidates in the state legislature, eventually running for a seat in the New York State Assembly in 1964, winning in a landslide that December. Shirley Chisholm led efforts to end racial discrimination and improve voter access in the NYS Assembly until 1968, when she ran for the House of Representatives in NY's 12th district. She won in an upset, becoming the first-ever Black woman elected to Congress. In Congress, Chisholm served seven terms and had a critical role in the creation of WIC, the Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. She was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and in 1979 advocated for the Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act, years before domestic violence was recognized as something beyond a ‘private family matter.’ As she advocated to be placed on her preferred committees she offered the now-famous quotation, If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. #DVAM2020 #BlackLivesMatter #InThisTogether [Image Description: Shirley Chisholm in 1972; a greyscale image of Shirley in a square-patterned, high-collared, long-sleeved dress above her name.] See the comments for the rest of Shirley Chisholm's story!

Check out these statistics surrounding Domestic Violence in the United States. One thing to keep in mind while reading these are that domestic violence is still widely not talked about. Many people experiencing it may not know they are in an abusive relationship or their close family and friends may not know it either. . If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence RESTORE is here to help 1-800-527-1757. . To learn more check out: ... https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS. #restore #dvam2020 #inthistogether See more

DONT MISS our second "Relationship Roundup" discussing Grey's Anatomy during Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York's Monthly Take Action Night!! This free event is TONIGHT at 6: https://bit.ly/tan-102120 #DVAM2020 #InThisTogether

We’ve talked a lot about domestic violence this month: what it is, what it looks like, who it happens to. But we haven’t talked about why some people engage in abusive behaviors. Swipe through to learn more about power and control in abusive relationships. To learn more, check out: https://restoresas.org/ ... https://willowcenterny.org/ https://www.thehotline.org/ https://www.joinonelove.org/

October means Domestic Violence Awareness Month flag displays! Our 1,050 purple flags each represent ten people in Wyoming county who will experience domestic violence in their lives. This represents the national statistic that as many as 1 in 4 people in any community are impacted, using Wyoming County's population at the time of the last census. These flags will be at the Government Center on Main Street in Warsaw all month long. But even beyond October, our partners and RE...STORE advocates will be here to supporft survivors! #DVAM2020 #InThisTogether [Image description: 1-RESTORE staff (from left) Lauren, Gina and Katy pose after setting up the display; three people stand in masks, around a sign explaining the 1-in-4 display statistic and the 1,050 purple flags.] [2: Purple flags stand on the government center lawn.]

This weeks Fearless Leader Friday is Farah Tanis. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Black Women’s Blueprint. This organization works to address sexual violence against women and girls in the Black communities. Tanis is also known for launching the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the U.S. ever to focus on Black women and their historical experiences with sexual violence. Her work goes so much more beyond this! She has also worked to end Rape in the C...ongo region of Africa and provided safe rides home for LGBTQ+ people in New York City! Farah Tanis has made it her passion to speak up and provide support to black women and girls who have experienced sexual violence and to bring awareness to the communities who have a strong history of sexual violence. . . You can read more about Farah Tanis and the Black Women’s Blueprint here: https://movetoendviolence.org/blog/author/farah/ #fearlessleaderfriday #restore #blm

Another HUGE shoutout to Genesee County United Way for collecting bags and bags of socks, sweat suits, comfort kit bags and undergarments for our survivors! When a survivor goes to the hospital to have a medical exam and would like to report to law enforcement, their clothing is often taken as evidence. Donations like this help to ensure our clients are going home from the hospitals comfy and not in a pair of scrubs. Thank you! #InThisTogether

For today's Staff Spotlight post, we are thrilled to introduce our Livingston/Wyoming County Education & Outreach Specialist, Emily! Hey y'all! Let me take you on a trip of my typical day as RESTORE's Livingston/Wyoming County Education & Outreach Specialist. Now that school is back in session, you can find me "Zooming" into classrooms to provide education to students of all ages. I cover many topics such as healthy relationships, consent, internet safety, coping skills, and ...so much more. I also provide education to local agencies and community members, so I'm used to traveling all over Livingston & Wyoming counties (pre-pandemic, of course!). You can also easily find me at local community events promoting interpersonal violence awareness and of course all of our amazing services here at RESTORE. The best part of my job is getting to interact with people and not just lecturing them, but having real meaningful discussions with people and connecting them to the many services available in this community. When I give a presentation or go to a local event, I see people that care about each other and give back whenever they can and I love to say that these are the people I serve in my community. Fun Fact: I'm originally from Cooperstown, NY, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame! One time, I had an entire conversation with Mike Piazza without knowing who he was-- he was very polite!

We are excited to collaborate with our Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York colleagues for the next Relationship Roundup during their monthly #TakeActionNight and to lift up #DVAM2020 ! We will talk about portrayals of survivors on Grey's Anatomy and hear about crucial legislation like the Violence Against Women Act or #VAWA. Register here! https://bit.ly/tan-102120 #InThisTogether

Our next #FearlessLeaderFriday post needs no introduction: Maya Angelou. Born in 1928, she spent early childhood between her birth place of Missouri and her grandmother’s home in Arkansas. At age 8, she was assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend and after disclosing to her family, her attacker was jailed for one day, and murdered after his release. Maya was then mute for nearly five years, believing my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I th...ought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone." With the help of a teacher and access to the literature she grew to love, Maya began her healing process. Maya Angelou worked as a cable car operator, professional dancer, member of the touring opera Porgy and Bess, and joined the Harlem Writers Guild. After being published and meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1960, she became the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). She also spent time in African countries performing in stage productions and working for newspapers in Egypt and Ghana. Maya Angelou met Malcolm X and returned to the U.S. just before his assassination in 1965; while in Los Angeles that summer she witnessed the Watts-area riots. She was collaborating with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a 1968 march before his assassination on her fortieth birthday, April 4 of that year. Renowned writer and her friend James Baldwin encouraged Maya through this intense grieving period, and she continued to write, produce and perform in plays and documentaries about the African American Experience. In 1969, her first novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was published and gained international acclaim. See the comments for the rest of Maya Angelou's Story! [Image Description: A grayscale photo of Maya Angelou circa 1970, eyes on the camera and in a patterned print dress and headscarf above the words "Maya Angelou."] #BlackLivesMatter #InThisTogether

We would like to give a HUGE shoutout and thank you to the Genesee County Decorative Painters for painting these stunning comfort kit bags for our survivors and for donating the items that go inside the bags! When a survivor goes to a hospital for medical care after a sexual assault, our volunteers and staff bring these kits with them and provide much needed support and validation. #InThisTogether

Our next staff spotlight is our amazing therapist Gary!! Here is a little more about Gary’s day! . My day usually consist of logging on and checking my e-mail and getting prepared for my day. I look at which therapy sessions I have coming up and organize my thoughts and agendas. I look up any information I will need for the session and review my case notes. I typically have several sessions per day and after lunch I do all of my outreach and scheduling after my last sessions. The end of my day is reserved for completing my case notes and catching up on paperwork. Very exciting, I know. A fun fact about me um I am from Texas, I make my own Kombucha, and I am a salamander enthusiast. None of those three things are related. #restore #staffspotlight #inthistogether