Chaplains Offer Comfort to Survivors in Shelter

The Hubbard House chaplaincy program, established in 2016, is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to supply complete services to survivors. “Research and conversations right here at shelter led me to understand that providing spiritual help is essential to our survivors, especially women,” explained Hubbard House CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin, who spearheaded the program alongside dedicated volunteer Linda Hill. Currently, three volunteer chaplains, all ordained ministers, serve in-shelter survivors.

When asked what surprised her most about working with Hubbard House participants, Chaplain Kimberly Weir said, “Most of the survivors I’ve met with come to me with a well-established faith. They aren’t asking where was God when their abuse happened. Instead, they want God’s help for today’s challenges or spiritual guidance for what’s next.” Chaplain Kimberly, also on staff with another local non-profit serving the low-income elderly, has been with the program since its inception and is encouraged by the program’s impact.

Chaplain Kimberly explained that many survivors finds it validating when a person they see as spiritually significant sits to hear her story. “I don’t try to offer answers,” says Kimberly. “Instead, I am a witness to what they want to share. I try to speak words of affirmation and hope over their futures. And, if they are interested (and most are), we pray together, asking for God, as the survivor understands him or her, to protect, guide and strengthen them as they heal.

Hubbard House Holiday Guide!

Want to help make the holidays happier for domestic violence survivors and their children? Take a look at the Hubbard House Holiday Guide 2017 PDF  It’s full of wonderful ways that you and yours can bring significant joy to survivors and survivor-led families who are escaping the darkness of domestic violence and finding bright new beginnings!

Still have questions after reading the guide? Email development@hubbardhouse.org.

 

 

2017 Domestic Violence Awareness Address

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At last week’s Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, Hubbard House CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin delivered a powerful speech that asked and answered the questions on the minds of many in the community; namely, why should I, as an individual or organization in Jacksonville, support Hubbard House? What difference does Hubbard House make locally? And, how can I personally help to eradicate domestic violence? Her remarks, featured below, resonated and moved many to action.

Domestic Violence Address

23^rd Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, October 12, 2017

Hubbard House CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin

People often ask why I have chosen to make my life’s work the eradication of domestic violence. The reason is simple: Survivors. I am driven to see these courageous women, children and men live safe and satisfying lives that they choose for themselves. As I look out at each of you, I see this truth: You are with me. We are in this together.

It’s also true that together, as a community, we can eradicate domestic violence, especially domestic violence homicides.

To take our next steps in this work together, let’s begin by wrapping our hearts and minds around two truths that will inform our work going forward:

Truth one is this, and it’s difficult . . .  Last year, we saw the number of domestic violence homicides climb to a 20-year high in Duval County.

Twelve (12) victims were shot, stabbed, strangled, drowned, set on fire, beaten to death and/or thrown out like trash by their intimate partners.

The word unacceptable doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Furthermore, it’s especially tragic because we didn’t have the opportunity to intervene in these situations. Not one of these victims were seeking services from Hubbard House when they were murdered.

So, truth one is this… In 2016, a record number of human beings in our community lost their lives to domestic violence, and none of them were receiving services from Hubbard House.

Here is truth two, and this is our best truth, the good news:

It doesn’t have to be this way!  Hubbard House is here to help,

and we are saving lives together.

Last year, Hubbard House provided life-saving, life-changing services to 5,019 women, children and men here in our local community.

Right here in Jacksonville,

Survivors were safely sheltered and sustained.

They were supported, counseled, informed and educated.

They were helped to obtain injunctions for protection, and they were assisted in finding jobs and homes.

And you know what else? They are all alive today.

Every woman. Every child. Every man. Every person who sought Hubbard House services in 2016 – All of them – are alive right now.

Taken together, what do these two truths mean? They mean that there are people dying in our community because of domestic violence, and they don’t have to because we have a solution that works! We simply must reach them, survivors living in these situations, through greater awareness of domestic violence and of our services, so more survivors will turn to us. Awareness, after all, is why we are here today.

As we move forward in this work we are doing together, here are two ways that you can maintain or deepen your commitment to the cause, the eradication of domestic violence.

One. Share about domestic violence and Hubbard House with those in your circle of influence – leave our “What is abuse?” cards in your break room, schedule a Hubbard House speaker to talk with your group about domestic violence, or share one of our informative Twitter or Facebook posts with your friends or followers.

You know, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, and one in three women experiences physical violence, sexual violence or stalking from an intimate partner in their lifetimes, so you will reach someone in need. Someone that we, Hubbard House, can’t reach on our own.

Two. Please continue to support the work of Hubbard House with your time and your treasure. In so doing, you are providing a place for survivors and their children to turn for help, when they need help most. And, the truth is, miracles happen in our halls! You are also making our community a better place to live, because when life gets better for some of us, it gets better for all of us.     

Because of you, lives are saved and hearts are healed. Thank you so much for your support.