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Dragonfly Centre Newsletter August 2012 Issue 1 In this edition: ▪ A Word from the President▪ Looking Back as We Look Forward▪ Your Voice: We Wa
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In this edition:
▪ A Word from the President
▪ Looking Back as We Look Forward
▪ Your Voice: We Want to Hear From You
▪ Special Thanks to our 2009 - 2012 Supporters
"I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't."
~ Audre Lorde |
Welcome to the Dragonfly Centre's first newsletter! What a journey it has been as I have gone from having a dream in 2009 to celebrating the first year as a non-profit with our headquarters located in Washington State, US. Our stated mission is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promote the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.
Development continues for the Dragonfly Centre for Women's Empowerment and Transformation in Trinidad and Tobago. Our goal is to provide a co-located, multi-agency service centre that will deliver victim friendly services and support to victims of domestic violence and their children. Here is a vision of the services we strive to offer:
▪ Crisis Intervention
▪ Safety Planning
▪ Emergency Shelter
▪ Forensic Medical Unit
▪ Legal Clinic to Include Support in Court
▪ Access to Financial Literacy/Job Skills Training
▪ Sexual Assault Information
▪ Spiritual Support
▪ Domestic Violence Education and Outreach Program
To share the words of Casey Gwinn at the Family Justice Center Alliance in San Diego California, US; “Dream BIG...Start Small”. We have BIG dreams for the Dragonfly Centre and it's exhilarating to see it growing into a reality.
It is with great excitement that we are celebrating our first year of many. I look forward to working with many of you in the months and years ahead. With your help and support together we are giving victims back their voice.
Working together we can make a difference.
Blessings,
Dawn Schafer-Balgar
President/CEO |
September 2011
I traveled to San Diego, California US to attend the International Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma Conference at which time I completed the National Advocate Credentialing Program and received Victim Advocacy Credentialing. This is where I met Brenda Jeffers, a clinical psychologist from San Fernando, Trinidad; she was at the poster session presenting her study and took the People’s Choice Award for her work. We are forever grateful for her collaboration and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future. |
October 2011
We launched the Dragonfly Centre blog where we are posting news articles and information about domestic violence in Trinidad and Tobago. Work is currently underway for our official website. We are open to input on the site development. Feel free to contact us. |
December 2011
I attend the 10th Anniversary of the Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship Program Reception hosted in the Columbus Club at the Union Station, Washington, DC, US. I had the opportunity to speak with Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary Bureau of African Affairs at the US State Department and Allen Goodman, President and CEO of the Institute of International Education about the progress of the development of the Dragonfly Centre and our long term goals. I am ever so grateful for the support of the US State Department and Institute of International Education for providing me the opportunity to complete my study which has been the foundation of the Dragonfly Centre. |
February 2012
On February 11, 2012,The Women of Vision, Tacoma Chapter, in Washington US partnered with the Dragonfly Centre at the Asian Pacific Cultural Center's 14th Annual Asia Pacific New Year Celebration at the Tacoma Dome Exhibit Hall in Tacoma, Washington US. The event was a huge success.It was our first official public display and we received great interest and support from the participants. The outreach and education was well received and the feedback on the display was delightful. |
May 2012
I participated in the National Organization for Women's Regional Conference on May 19, 2012, in Olympia Washington, US where I spoke about the Dragonfly Centre for Women's Empowerment and Transformation in Trinidad and Tobago and it's goals. We were able to network with US Women & Cuba Collaboration, an association of women and organizations working in coalition with women in Cuba to build bridges within and between our nations that foster inclusive and progressive women's movements and networks for justice, real security and women's rights. |
Upcoming
August 2012
We are very excited about the upcoming "From Victims to Victors"-Building and Independent Self Regional Conference being held August 27-30, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain, Trinidad.Click here for more information about this stimulating event. |
Upcoming
September 2012
8th Annual Women of Color Health Conference in Tacoma, Washington US
Mark your calendar and come check out our display.
September 8th, 2012
8:00am to 3:30pm
Bethlehem Baptist Church; Family Life Centre
4818 Portland Ave, Tacoma WA 98404
The Dragonfly Centre is honored
to be part of this free community event.
Click here for more information. |
Have a story, something you would like more information on, or maybe you have photos, feedback, comments and or ideas......Share your thoughts.
Like to write? We are currently seeking volunteers that would be interested in contributing to our blog/website.
Also if you align with our mission and would like to partner with us we would love to hear from you. We are also working at developing a resource list to post on our website to link those in need to the current community resources.
Contact us at: dragonflyhelpertt@yahoo.com |
▪ Belmont Community Centre, Belmont, Trinidad
▪ The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. United States
▪ Councillor Huey Newton Cadette, Assistant Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough Tobago
▪ American Michael Clifthorne, Coordinator, International Programs at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington United States
▪ Assemblywoman Claudia Groome-Duke, Secretary of Health and Social Services, Tobago House of Assembly, Scarborough Tobago
▪ The Evergreen State College Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington United States
▪ Halyconia Inn, Cascade Trinidad
▪ Institute of International Education, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, Houston, Texas United States
▪ Institute for Gender and Development Studies, St. Augustine , Trinidad
▪ Trinidadian Laura Pierre-James, CEO of Pierre's Bilingual Tutoring and Mentoring Services, Tacoma, Washington United States
▪ Trinidadian Brenda Jeffers, Clinical Psychologist, San Fernando, Trinidad
▪ Americans Diane and Mark Mekhlin
▪ American Milia, Spiritual Advisor, Rainier, Washington United States
▪ Pax Guest House, Tunapuna, Trinidad
▪ Trinidadian Mrs. Avril Patterson-Pierre, Administrative Assistant, Institute of Gender & Development Studies, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Trinidad
▪ Americans Bonnie and Bob Ryan
▪ American Dr. Gilda Shepherd, Professor at The Evergreen State College Tacoma, Tacoma, Washington United States
▪ Trinidadian Dr. HR Thomas, CEO of Transun Holding, Inc., Transun Air, Inc., Transun Caribe Limited
▪ Trinidad and Tobago Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Port of Spain Trinidad
▪ The University of West Indies at St. Augustine, Trinidad
▪ Women of Vision, Tacoma Chapter, Tacoma, Washington United States
▪ Working Women for Social Progress, Tunapuna, Trinidad and Tobago
Thank you to everyone for your support! |
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