The DVC Welcomes New Executive Director

Written on January 26, 2012 by VLeatherwood in Articles

The Board of Directors of the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County (DVC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Pollitt Hill, MSW, as the Executive Director for the organization.   Ms. Pollitt Hill will begin her leadership of the DVC on February 21, 2012.

Lara Weathersbee, Chair of the DVC Board of Directors remarks, “We are delighted to welcome Ms. Pollitt Hill to the DVC and have great confidence in her deep commitment to and experience in the fields of domestic violence and sexual assault”.

Ms. Pollitt Hill brings a wealth of experience from a career devoted to human services, with particular focus on domestic violence, sexual assault, and victims’ rights.   Ms. Pollitt Hill formerly held the position of Executive Director for the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.  Her experience also includes employment at the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.  Ms. Pollitt Hill holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practices and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Psychology from Mary Baldwin College. Ms. Pollitt Hill is currently employed by the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services as a Grants Management Specialist with oversight of District grants associated with the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act.

For more information please contact Lara Weathersbee at lcweathersbee@gmail.com or (410) 905 – 2260.

DVC Sponsors Creative Arts Exhibit for Teens

Written on January 6, 2012 by VLeatherwood in Articles

In recognition of Teen Self-Esteem Month, DVC’s Empowerment Movement Youth Leadership Project is sponsoring the I AM! Exhibit.
This creative arts exhibit is open to teens ages 13 to 19. Submissions must be work expressing your sense of self–esteem. Work will be accepted in any medium including poetry, visual arts, prose, music, crafting, metal arts, woodworking [...]

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DVC and GLBTQI Communities Team Up for IPV Awareness

Written on January 6, 2012 by VLeatherwood in Articles

Unity Fellowship Church will host “When Someone You Know Hurts You: Recognizing Intimate Partner Violence” on Tuesday, January 17 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Locust Park Neighborhood Center, 8995 Lambskin Lane in Columbia, Maryland 21045. Presented in coordination with the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County (DVC), this free program will address the [...]

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CANDLELIGHT VIGIL COMMEMORATES LIVES LOST TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Written on October 31, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Articles

On the evening of October 5, the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County (DVC) hosted a Candlelight Vigil commemorating the lives of individuals who were murdered over the last year as a result of domestic violence.
The Columbia Association Arts Center was the perfect venue for the event that attracted over ninety community members. Inside the [...]

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DVC LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM

Written on September 26, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Articles

DISCOVERY WORKSHOPS:
Explore, Express, Empower!
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the DVC is launching a new program, the Discovery Workshops.
The Discovery Workshops are a vehicle for individuals who are not in crisis to explore issues for personal growth.  Through creative activities, as well as sharing with others, participants will learn skills to relieve stress, [...]

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Cooking Up Funds

Written on August 26, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Articles

Each year the MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of Elkridge produces a number of fundraisers for local charities. This year the DVC has been chosen to receive the proceeds from the sale of their cookbook, Bon Appetit. The cookbook is a collection of favorite recipes from members of their MOMS Club chapter. One hundred [...]

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COMMUNITY RALLIES FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOPE BOWL FUNDRAISER

Written on June 23, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Articles

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Domestic Violence Center ’s (DVC) 5th annual Hope Bowl held on Saturday, June 18, more than $31,000 was raised! The evening was a great success as teams participated in various challenges for prizes, danced to great music, enjoyed delicious food and drinks, as well as had fun [...]

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Raising Awareness about Teen Dating Violence

Written on January 6, 2012 by VLeatherwood in Events

2012 Dating Violence Forum

Friday, February 17, 2012

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30

Howard Community College

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia, MD 21044

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The DVC in partnership with Howard Community College (HCC) will host It’s Time to Talk: a Forum on Dating Violence at the college (Duncan Hall, Kittleman Room, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044) on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for registration. During this free community forum, participants will learn about this serious and preventable public health problem that can produce negative and long-lasting effects.

Forum’s panel members will include survivors and intimate partner violence experts including, Denise McCain, WHUR radio host for the “Sighlent Storm”, Dave Thomas, of The John Hopkins University, Patricia English with PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays), and Kathy Ferguson from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Individual breakout sessions will focus on topics of specific interest to teens, adults (e.g., parents, teachers, service providers) and young adults.

It’s Time to Talk: a Forum on Dating Violence is open to all ages.  Pre-registration is encouraged and available by clicking here. Those who register in advance will be eligible for exciting prize drawings.

DVC Interim Executive Director, Inga James, remarks, “Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Teenagers can choose better relationships when they learn to identify the early warning signs of an abusive relationship, understand that they have choices, and believe they are valuable people who deserve to be treated with respect.”

Many teens and adults are unaware of how often dating violence occurs. A comparison of the rates of relationship violence (also called intimate partner violence) between teens and adults reveals that teens are at higher risk of abuse. One in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Teens who are victims are more likely to be depressed, do poorly in school and engage in unhealthy behaviors, like using drugs and alcohol. Abused girls are four to six times more likely to get pregnant and eight to nine times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.

Please contact Vanita Leatherwood, Director of Community Engagement, at (410) 997 – 0304 for additional information.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FORUM

Written on December 22, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Events

Please join us for a Domestic Violence Forum on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the St. John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia, MD 21045 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program will include -
Telling Our Story: Survivors Speak
10:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.
Educating the Community
Vanita Leatherwood, DVC Director of Community Engagement
Lunch Break
11:30 [...]

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THERAPEUTIC GROUPS

Written on September 26, 2011 by VLeatherwood in Events

All therapeutic groups are facilitated by trained clinicians in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault. All DVC services are confidential and no one will be turned away for the inability to pay. For more information or to register for a group, please call (410) 997 – 0304.
EMPOWERMENT GROUP — [...]

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