News & Events
Volunteer Spotlight - Leslie Hawkins
Leslie Hawkins has been a volunteer with Helpmate since the spring of 2002. For the last 10 years, she has provided much-needed hotline advocacy support as well as fundraising assistance.
The Cafe String Quartet and Friends
The Echo Cooperative Presents: The Cafe String Quartet and Friends (chamber jazz) to benefit Helpmate, a domestic violence agency working with our community to eliminate abuse and fear.
Art - More Than Just A Picture
It has been well documented for many years that art therapy can be a valuable tool of discovery in helping adults and children deal with stress.
Helpmate Welcomes New Staff Members
Helpmate has added two part time positions recently and welcomes Dayle Benedetti and Joanna Knowles to the staff.
Helpmate’s Endowment and Legacy Society
A gift designated to Helpmate’s endowment will provide essential resources for our work year after year. Endowment gifts can support specific aspects of the work such as providing shelter, counseling or court advocacy, or they can support general operations or facilities.
Helpmate Statistical Information - Fiscal Year July 1, 2010- June 30, 2011
Helpmate has seen and continues to see a significant increase in requests for services. As with most of the country, battered women in Buncombe County continue to be impacted by the slow economic recovery and lack of employment opportunities. This past fiscal year Helpmate has seen the average shelter stay increase by 210% and the number of women staying more than 28 days increase by 59%. In addition, from FY 09/10 through FY 10/11 we saw a 149% increase in the number of women to which we provided food and a 63% increase in the number of clients to which we provided transportation.
Volunteer Spotlight - JENNA SKARDA-HIGGINS
Jenna Skarda-Higgins began volunteering with Helpmate in August 2010 and assisted with reception work and statistical data entry at first. In November of that year, she attended the hotline advocacy training and began taking regular hotline shifts in December.
Domestic Violence Vigil - Honoring and Remembering
Thanks to everyone who attended the vigil at the YWCA on October 26 in honor of victims and survivors of domestic violence and in memory of the 56 individuals who have died in North Carolina so far this year as a result of domestic violence.
Volunteer Spotlight - JERI SENOR
Jeri Senor participated in an individual domestic violence orientation and began providing Reception Assistance in May 2011. She then went on to attend the July 2011 volunteer training to pursue Hotline and Court Advocacy service.
Men Who Care Event to be held Tuesday, September 13, 2011
We are excited about Helpmate’s upcoming Men Who Care event, which will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville. This event, which takes place every other year, is our major fundraiser this year and proceeds will fund services to victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Vigil - Oct. 26
There will be a Domestic Violence Vigil at the YWCA this Wednesday, October 26. From 5-5:30, you can view the Silent Witness Exhibit (a traveling memorial to women/children who have lost their lives in NC), the Clothesline Project (t-shirts made by survivors of various forms of violence), and artwork that was made by children living in Helpmate’s emergency shelter. We will have food and beverages available as well, so please come between 5-5:30 to check out these powerful exhibits!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month !
October is Domestic Violence Awarness Month and there are many events planned including a vigil on October 26 to honor and memorialize victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Volunteer Spotlight - Norene Barrett
Norene Barrett has been volunteering with Helpmate since 2003 and has become an integral part of our team over the years.
Volunteer Spotlight - Linda Kavanaugh
Volunteer Linda Kavanaugh supports residents with her care and concern
Day of Caring at Helpmate
The United Way’s Day of Caring was held on Thursday, September 1, 2011. This is an annual event that is coordinated by Hands On Asheville Buncombe, a program of the United Way.
Volunteer Spotlight - Linda Ganz
Linda Ganz began volunteering with Helpmate in April 2010 and has been a terrific help to us since she went through an initial reception orientation. Linda is a retired Family Therapist and was exposed to some domestic violence situations through her work.
Helpmate Elects New Board Officers and Members!
The Board of Directors of Helpmate has elected new Board officers for 2011-12, and appointed two new Board members.
Volunteer Spotlight - Susan Denne
Susan Denne attended Helpmate’s volunteer training in March 2009 and immediately began assisting with our Court Advocacy program. Over the last two years she has supported many of our clients who were navigating the court system in order to hold their abusers accountable for their behavior.
Shelter gets decorated for Easter
On Saturday 23, the staff of the Mediation Center brought Easter cheer to Helpmate residents.
Volunteer Spotlight: Maria Zuniga
Maria Zuniga went through Helpmate’s volunteer training in September 2007 which was the first advocate training we held in our new emergency shelter. She immediately began helping with childcare at our Monday night support group and started training to become a hotline advocate as well.
Volunteer Spotlight: Sabra Ball
Sabra Ball became involved with Helpmate in January 2009 when she began her Masters-level Internship for Western Carolina University’s Social Work Program.
The Gospel According to Jerry
Long-time supporter Jerry Sternberg offers essay compilation to support Helpmate
Volunteer Spotlight: Vilary LaRue
Volunteer Villary LaRue lends her gifts to supporting shelter upkeep
High Tea Fundraiser Hosted by Community Leaders
Co-Chairs and Hostesses lead community of women toward support of domestic violence services in Asheville
Teens and Domestic Violence - Know the Warning Signs !
Statistics/warning signs teen dating violence
Spread the Word...About Preventive Education
Spread the word...about Helpmate's Preventive Education Program
VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED BUILDING AND GROUNDS HELP
On Saturday, April 30, a group of eight volunteers assisted with various building and grounds projects at our emergency shelter. Some of these volunteers are employed by TRANE Air Solutions and one volunteer is employed by Mikes Heating and Cooling. This volunteer group was led by Leah McCurley, a Helpmate volunteer.
Volunteer Spotlight: Rebecca Croft
In February 2010, I received a call from an A-B Tech student named Rebecca Croft. She was interested in volunteering with Helpmate and expressed that she had a deep concern for the issue of domestic violence. She attended the volunteer training that took place in March 2010 in order to pursue hotline advocacy and other opportunities. During the training, she told some of her story related to her own personal experience with domestic abuse and it was then that we began to realize that Rebecca would become a positive force within our organization. The strength and determination she exhibited to get herself and her three sons out of the abusive situation was remarkable. In addition to her motivation to help victims and their children, it did not take long for our staff to recognize that Rebecca possesses an extraordinary optimistic outlook on life. Despite all she has been through, it is evident that she is grateful for every second of every day.
Domestic Violence Vigil
There will be a Domestic Violence Vigil at the YWCA this Wednesday, October 26. From 5-5:30, you can view the Silent Witness Exhibit (a traveling memorial to women/children who have lost their lives in NC), the Clothesline Project (t-shirts made by survivors of various forms of violence), and artwork that was made by children living in Helpmate’s emergency shelter. We will have food and beverages available as well, so please come between 5-5:30 to check out these powerful exhibits!
Time to Be Thankful
We would like to take a moment to say, "thank you" to everyone who helps us create a community that is free of domestic violence and fear. We have often heard that "it takes a village."
