Community Assessment Needs Survey

Who’d like the chance to win a $50 gift card?! ??? All you have to do is fill out a quick, anonymous survey! The confidential data collected will help our Coordinated Community Prevention Team make decisions on future services for Greenwood County. Enter your email at the end of the survey & you’ll be entered in a drawing to win one of two $50 Visa gift cards. Please share, thank you!
Survey link below ⬇️
https://forms.gle/wfHQ3VCm1ATp6TsPA

A note from our Executive Director

I would like to express my gratitude formally and sincerely for the amazing outpouring of support Beyond Abuse has received from the community this year.  When we asked for assistance with sheets for our medical maltreatment exam room and clothing for victims in the ER, you answered the call.  During this pandemic, we had an ample supply of cleaning supplies and toiletries, thanks to the Greenwood American Legion, who made numerous donations throughout the year.  All of your actions directly impacted the victims in our community by ensuring that the staff had the necessary materials to provide services.

      

To read more click here to view the newsletter

** SAVE THE DATE ** – Lip Sync Battle

Lip Sync Battle, a new fundraiser for Beyond Abuse, is rescheduled for April 6, 2024 at 7:00pm. This event will be hosted at The James Medford Family Event Center at Piedmont Technical College. We hope everyone will SAVE THE DATE for this fun night! Can’t wait to see you there.

 

 

Beyond Abuse Received Grant Funding from Greenwood County Community Foundation (GCCF)

Beyond Abuse recently received Open Granting funding from the Greenwood County Community Foundation (GCCF) for new computers, software, printers, and a Voicestation. These items will support staff in their direct services to children and adults who are victims of physical and sexual assault.

Beyond Abuse seeks to “lead the community beyond sexual violence and child abuse through awareness, advocacy, and action”. From left, front row are: Jeff Smith, GCCF President; Tonya Harris, Beyond Abuse Executive Director; Mary Woodiwiss, GCCF Director of Grants and Projects; and Lisa Tolbert, BA Board Chair. Back row: Trentsie Williams, GCCF Board Member; and Beyond Abuse Board Members Wilson Bruce, David Harrison, Leslie Myers, Barry Putnam, and Evelyn Glenn.

Silent Tears announces $5 million donation to fund capital needs of organizations that help women & children statewide


Columbia, S.C. (April 25, 2019)

Silent Tears announced on Thursday plans to donate $5 million to fund capital needs of organizations statewide that assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

Six years ago, Silent Tears formed to systematically address the complex issues associated with child sexual abuse – considering best practices, the fragmented support system for victims, the culture and politics of South Carolina, and a lack of attention on the issue. In the ensuing years, South Carolina has made great strides, but there is still work to do.

Accompanied by lawmakers and representatives from centers statewide, Silent Tears announced a $5 million gift from the Castellani family. The commitment will fund a second phase of support for organizations that promote an end to child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence across South Carolina, including the 17 Children’s Advocacy Centers of S.C., 15 rape crisis and 12 domestic violence centers.

“God placed these issues on our hearts, and because we had the ability to help, we felt compelled to act,” Founder Bob Castellani said. “Silent Tears is providing support to those organizations that work each day with the victims of these crimes, and we look forward to fulfilling more grant requests in the weeks and months to come.”

The following organizations were included in the first round of grants and have already received funding that will address a variety of capital needs – from roof repairs to replacing outdated heating and cooling units.

Beyond Abuse $15,000

Foothills Alliance $20,000

Palmetto Citizens Against Sexual Assault $32,000

Pee Dee Coalition $50,000

Child Advocacy Center of Aiken $26,000

Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union $10,000

Friends of the Metropolitan Children’s Advocacy Center $16,000

Pickens County Advocacy Center $10,000

Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition $20,000

Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands $10,000

YWCA of Upper Lowlands $35,000

Generations Group $50,000

Care House of the Pee Dee $18,500

Child Freedom Coalition $50,000

South Carolina Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers $5,000

Organizations interested in applying for future Silent Tears grants can apply online at SilentTearsSC.org, a newly redesigned website that also launched Thursday. Shauna Galloway-Williams, executive director of the Julie Valentine Center, expressed gratitude for the investment Bob Castellani and his family have made during the past decade. “The Castellani Family may never know the full extent of their reach, but know for each child that receives a forensic interview and counseling at a CAC, for every rape victim who is met by an advocate at the ER during a rape exam, and for every family that finds shelter and support free of violence, the family has made an investment in the change and for that we are all grateful,” Galloway-Williams said.

Also on Thursday, Silent Tears announced a partnership with ELYSIAN magazine that will allow the best practices established in South Carolina to reach a nationwide audience. The success stories and gains made in this state will reach decision-makers across the country through the ELYSIAN platform, affecting even greater change.

For more information, contact Kelly Nichols, director of philanthropy, Silent Tears SC, 864-596-7501 or kelly@readelsyian.com.

Greenwood Women Care (GWC) Awards Grants

Greenwood Women Care (GWC) recently awarded grants totaling $47,625 in their first annual granting cycle. Eight local nonprofits serving residents of Greenwood County received awards ranging from $2500 to $10,000.


Pictured are: (front row) Deborah Parks, Laura Stowe, Summer Booker, GWC Steering Committee members; Alison Fletcher, Mary Woodiwiss, Laura Bachinski, GWC Steering and Grants Committee members; Kathy Emily, Marilyn Murphy, Patricia Hartung, and Anne Craig, GWC Grants Committee members; (back row) Joanne Burkett, Greenwood Community Improvement Foundation-WLC; Lisa Lane, Project Hope Foundation; Kathryn Butler (Greenwood School District 50) and Claire Wieters, Beyond Abuse; Teresa Goodman, Community Initiatives; Alice Hodges, Meg’s House; Steve Coleman, MODELS Academy; Stephen Gilbert, Greenwood Community Theatre. (Not pictured: Connie Maxwell recipients)

Greenwood Women Care, an initiative of the Greenwood County Community Foundation, is a membership organization of community-minded women who pool their annual contributions for collective grantmaking and local impact. GWC membership is currently 120 women and is open at all times. For more information, see: www.greenwoodcf.org/greenwood-women-care/ or contact: gwc@greenwoodcf.org.

A Thank you to outgoing Board Members

Beyond Abuse said farewell to 4 board members at the December 2018 meeting of the Board of Directors.  These dedicated members served three 2 year terms for a combined 24 years of service to the agency!  Thank you all for your support in fulfilling our mission to “move our community beyond sexual violence and child abuse…”.  We will miss you all!

Pictured below: Cathy Miller, Executive Director, Wilson Bruce, Vice President, and outgoing board members Andrew Hodges, Brent Parris, and Anthony Kidd.  not pictured is Fran Human.

AAT meet and greet with Solicitor’s office Dec 2018

Members of Beyond Abuse’s Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) team recently visited the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s office as part of the agency’s program to address and minimize the impact that secondary trauma has on persons working with victims of child abuse and sexual assault.

Per the National Child Traumatic Stress Network:

“Secondary traumatic stress is the emotional duress that results when an individual hears about the firsthand trauma experiences of another……. For therapists, child welfare workers, case managers, and other helping professionals involved in the care of traumatized children and their families, the essential act of listening to trauma stories may take an emotional toll that compromises professional functioning and diminishes quality of life. Individual and supervisory awareness of the effects of this indirect trauma exposure is a basic part of protecting the health of the worker and ensuring that children consistently receive the best possible care from those who are committed to helping them.”

For more information on Beyond Abuse’s AAT program, call 864-227-1623

 

Beyond Abuse hosts Cultural Competence Training

On October 13, Beyond Abuse hosted a Cultural Competence Training for Multi-disciplinary Team Members and staff. The workshop focused on communication with the Deaf Population and was conducted by HIT Services (Houchens Interpretations & Translations) out of Greenville, SC. 

We’re grateful for organizations like HIT that enable us to serve our local community better! 

 

HIT Services provides comprehensive language services (translation and interpreting) geared to help organizations and businesses advance in our diverse and globalized society.

Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Receives Training on Sexual Assault Response

On Tuesday, 10/16 and Thursday, 10/17 Laurens County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) conducted a Sexual Assault Response training for the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, and Community Services Division.  During this training Laurens County SART members from Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, SC Attorney General’s Office, Greenville Health System, and Beyond Abuse presented information to attendees on responding to and providing best practices services to sexual assault victims in the front line.   The training was accredited through the SC Attorney General’s Office & the SC Criminal Justice Academy so that attendees could receive continuing education.  This training is a pilot training that our Laurens County SART hopes to grow and provide across the state to other Law Enforcement agencies.

 
Members of the Laurens County SART include:
Michael Polson, Investigator at Laurens County Sheriff’s Office
Jared Hunnicutt, Investigator at Laurens County Sheriff’s Office
Angela Holley, RN, SANE for Greenville Health System
Elizabeth Wise, Victim Services Manager at Beyond Abuse
Jessica Bell, Client Services Director at Beyond Abuse
Julie Kate Keeney, Assistant Solicitor for the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Rhetta Christian, Victim Advocate for the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Shannon Palm, VAWA Coordinator for the SC Attorney General’s Office