Change begins with me - National HIV Testing Day

Tomorrow (June 27) is National HIV Testing Day and the YWCA USA urges all of us to get involved and spread the word in our communities.

Here is a snapshot of the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic today from a Kaiser Family Foundation fact sheet:

• Number of new HIV infections, 2006: 56,300
• Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million, including more than 440,000 with AIDS
• Number of AIDS deaths since beginning of epidemic: 565,927, including 14,627 in 2006
• Percent of people infected with HIV who don’t know it: 21%

The last statistic is staggaring. It translates to one in every five Americans who are infected with HIV doesn't know it. By finding out early if you are HIV-positive, you can begin treatments now that can help you stay healthy. Click here for many additional resources from the YWCA's HIV and AIDS Resource Center.

Here at the YWCA of Charleston, we believe that change begins with every single one of us. For this reason, we encourage you to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for routine HIV screening in health-care settings for all adults, aged 13–64 and especially all pregnant women.

Free and confidential or anonymous tests are available. In Charleston and the surrounding counties, free HIV tests are available at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, Putnam County Health Department, Boone County Health Department, and Clay County Health Department. Visit www.hivtest.org, call 800-232-4636, or send a text message with your Zip code to "KNOWIT" (566948) for more testing sites, hours, directions, and other details.

Take the test. Take control.

Ending the Cycle of Violence in West Virginia

The YWCA of Charleston, WV is proud to once again take part in the “A Better West Virginia Challenge” in celebration of West Virginia Day. In last year’s post, we discussed stereotypes in West Virginia and how our organization’s mission of eliminating racism was (and still is) and integral component to redefining these stereotypes of the Mountain State. This year, we want to discuss the issue of domestic violence – a horrific problem that continues to plague West Virginia at alarming rates. Our challenge is to identify an obstacle that hinders West Virginia; therefore, today the YWCA of Charleston is stepping up to start a discussion on ending the cycle of domestic violence in our state.

The YWCA of Charleston believes that all people – women, men and children – have the right to live their lives free of violence, oppression, and intimidation. Our very nation was founded on this premise. However, domestic violence directly violates these rights and makes the home a place of terror instead of a place of peace.

According to the West Virginia State Police Crime Statistics Report, there were 14,315 reported incidents of domestic violence in the state in 2006 (most recent data). Of these, 10,530 of the victims were female and 3,518 were male. The report noted 38 domestic violence homicides statewide that year – an average of one every 9.5 days. Our state’s judicial system defines domestic violence as any of several acts between family or household members, including: causing, attempting to cause, or placing another in reasonable apprehension of physical harm; creating fear of physical harm by harassment, psychological abuse or threatening acts; committing sexual assault or sexual abuse; and holding, confining, detaining or abducting another person against their will.

As a whole, the state of West Virginia is taking a step in the right direction to eliminating domestic violence and making our state a safe place beginning in the home. On April 2, YWCA representatives joined other domestic violence advocates for Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol to educate lawmakers and the public about this ongoing horrific problem in our state. They showed their support for House Bill 2739 which, among other things, calls for Emergency Protective Orders to be served faster. We are also encouraged by the Supreme Court of Appeals’ initiative to have a new statewide Domestic Violence Registry up and running by this fall, which will facilitate communication about domestic violence protection orders so law enforcement can always access up-to-date information about domestic violence cases.

Although these are steps in the right direction, it will take far more than government, law enforcement, and service providers like the YWCA to fully combat this issue. It takes the entire community to look after our friends and neighbors and be positive role models to our children and students. It was only a matter of weeks before our community fell back into complacency after a young woman was violently murdered by her boyfriend in broad daylight at a Charleston Taco Bell. Where is the outrage now, when domestic violence incidents continue to rise?

Working with statewide organizations like the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the YWCA of Charleston hopes to set an example to other domestic violence programs across the state through the YWCA Resolve Program by offering secure shelter and emergency services to all domestic violence victims regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. Equally important are the classes we and other organizations provide to help male and female perpetrators end this cycle of violence by identifying abusive behaviors, recognizing the effects of violence on others, accepting responsibility for their behavior and developing healthier relationship skills. Our free counseling, victim support groups, court advocacy and monitored child visitation & exchange further move us toward our goal of breaking this horrendous cycle.

While these are important steps in our objective to eliminate domestic violence in our community and our state, far more work lies ahead. Most importantly, funding for domestic violence programs is critical and we thank the legislature and the governor for providing a supplemental appropriation of $1 million to fund these programs. Please join us in rising up as a community and saying “no more” to the cycle of violence.

Vintage Art Auction - with a twist!

Vintage art lovers and vintage car lovers unite! A 1955 DeSoto is the newest addition to the items donated to our 3rd annual "Vintage 3" Art Auction being held tomorrow (Thursday, June 18) from 5:30-7:30 pm here at the YWCA on Quarrier Street in Charleston, WV.

The silent art auction will feature more than 180 pieces of original artwork including pieces by our event co-chairs Kemp McElwee and Susan Poffenbarger (picture on the left), June Kilgore, Paula Clendenin, Robert Hart, Carol Toth, William E. Reed, Betsy Johnson, Betty Warner, Steve Payne, Diane White and JoAnne Jacobs. Oils, watercolors, pastels, photography, sculpture, pottery - you name it! Click here for a sneak preview of some of our featured artwork. All at very attractive prices, there's something for nearly any budget. Plus, you'll enjoy a lively social evening complete with music, wine and delicious hors d’oeuvres. It’s guaranteed to be a great party – and we hope you find that perfect piece while you’re at it!

After the silent art auction concludes, the live auction of the 1955 DeSoto will begin promptly at 7:30 with only a $500 minimum bid. All proceeds from Vintage 3 will benefit the YWCA’s social service programs and will be matched dollar for dollar through the $2 Million Challenge campaign. A minimum $25 donation is requested and pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Calling all girls with pearls!

The High Hopes committee wants your unwanted pearls to create a fabulous ensemble to auction off at this year’s Girls Night Out event: “Girls in Pearls: The Black & White Bash” to be held August 13 at the Sunrise Mansion offices of Farmer Cline & Campbell. Ladies – check your drawers and jewelry boxes for any pearls you no longer wear and donate them to create a beautiful and unique treasure for a great cause. That old set of pearls or single pearl earring in your drawer could help create a brighter future for a victim of domestic violence.

Scott Petit of Petit Jewelry Designs has graciously agreed to create a beautiful and absolutely one-of-a-kind pearl necklace with these donations to be showcased and auctioned off at the event. The finished piece, entitled “Hope,” will be a collective expression of the donors' commitment to provide hope to domestic violence victims. Depending on the quantities and types of pearls donated, Scott may create additional pieces to be auctioned.

Cultured or freshwater pearls of all shapes, colors and sizes – we’ll take them all! Also accepting donations of gold Add-a-Beads for accents. Drop your pearls off at Petit Jewelry Designs at 1012 ½ Bridge Road by Monday, July 13. (showroom hours are 10-5 Mon-Wed, 10-6 Thurs, and 10-4 Fri-Sat) All donations are 100% tax deductible and proceeds from benefit victims of domestic violence through the YWCA Resolve Program. A tax receipt will be given on the spot.

Online registration is now up for "Girls in Pearls!" Get your ticket today! Tickets are $75 through August 9 and $100 after August 9 and at the door.