The Shelter of Gaston County CELEBRATING THIRTY-TWO YEARS & CONTINUING FORWARD 1982
The Battered Spouse Shelter opens North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence begins work Gaston County declares “October-Domestic Violence Awareness Month”
1983
Department of Social Services hires Cathy Barrett (Cloninger)
1984
US Attorney General creates Task Force on Family Violence
1987
First national domestic violence hotline operational
1992
The Shelter begins Candlelight Vigils
1994
Congress passes VAWA, Violence Against Women Act Committee studies the need for a larger shelter
1995
Gaston County forms the Domestic Violence Prevention Council A new facility, renamed The Shelter of Gaston County, is dedicated
1997
DSS hires a Shelter Social Worker, Carol Stradley DSS names Cathy Barrett as Shelter Director The Shelter receives a Community Service Award from Miss North Carolina and from the Miss North Carolina Executive Committee
1998
Shelter Staff delivers Hershey Kisses to all police officers in Gaston County for our “Kiss a Cop” Project
1999
The Shelter receives their first North Carolina TANF Grant The “Make Believe Tea” fund raiser raises needed money for clients The “Prescription Bag Project” advertises the 24/7 crisis line number
2000
The Girl Scout Badge Program, “Peace on Earth Begins at Home” launches The Shelter begins an anti-violence program in Gaston County Middle Schools The Shelter begins a dating violence curriculum in Gaston County High Schools
2001
The Shelter initiates a Peer Pals Program The Shelter holds a Hairdresser’s Luncheon to teach signs of domestic violence Shelter Staff instruct their first social work intern
2002
The Shelter of Gaston County holds its 20th Anniversary Luncheon Celebrate survivors of domestic violence by planting a tree at DSS The Shelter initiates the Chick-Fil-A Tray Liner Project with a teen dating violence theme Participation in the Belk Charity Day Fundraiser
2003
Our last year without at least one client in residence each night The first Community Foundation’s “Run For the Money – Stormy Weather, Raincoats and Umbrellas” - Raises funds for billboards throughout Gaston County The “Sweet Treat Project” donates candy bars to all Gaston County police officers The Shelter hires their first bi-lingual staff Table Décor & More gives a very festive holiday party for current and past Shelter clients and their children
2004
“Run For the Money 2 – Dressed for the Wild West” Raises funds for a warehouse facility to store donations from “Food to Furniture” for clients “Katie’s Tea Party” gives survivors a delightful afternoon gathering
2005
S.A.V.E. Clubs sponsor a domestic violence poster contest for students The Shelter plants a tree at DSS in memory of those whose lives were lost because of domestic violence “Run For the Money 3 – Dressed in tuxedoes for Hollywood” - Raises funds for counseling and play therapy for Shelter children First “Fine Art Desk Calendar” Project raises funds for client needs
2006
“Run For the Money 4 – Dressed as sailors on the high seas” - Raises money to provide more resources for Shelter children Record number of resident clients in a single year – 401
2007
Mary Jo’s Cloth Store holds a Quilt Raffle with proceeds to The Shelter “Run For the Money 5 – A Shelter Party” - Raises money to hire a much needed court advocate The Shelter of Gaston County’s 25th Anniversary – Celebrating these years of service to the citizens of Gaston County Shelter Director, Cathy Cloninger, receives a Gaston County Employee of 2007 Award
2008
“The Clothesline Project” raises awareness of domestic violence in the community The Shelter initiates “Domestic Violence Marches” – held each time a Gaston County citizen is killed by a domestic violence perpetrator Fund drive is begun to increase square footage of The Shelter facility Shelter Director, Cathy Cloninger, receives Gaston County Woman of the Year Award from The Gaston County Women’s Commission “Run for the Money 6” - Dressed as clowns singing, “Don’t Clown Around With Domestic Violence” raises funds for The Shelter’s Capital Campaign The Shelter sells cookbooks, “A Taste of Kindness”
2009
The cookbooks are very successful and a second printing is ordered “Run for the Money 7” – Dressed in pastel tee shirts with The Shelter logo, “Making a Difference 24/7, 365 days, for 27 years”
First ever Avon Foundation for Women and PGA Tour Wives Association “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” to raise money to assist our clients – Held at Quail Hollow Club The Shelter Social Worker, Carol Stradley, BA, BSW retires with over 13 years of service to battered women and their children Record number of resident clients in a single year – 409 Shelter “Domestic Violence Marches” continue 2010
“Run For the Money 8” – Dressed in matching Shelter logo tee shirts, our booth displayed tee shirts created by survivors and advocates Second annual Avon Foundation for Women and PGA Tour Wives Association “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” at Quail Hollow Club Shelter hires new social Worker, Jennifer Cannon, MSW The Shelter raises over $500,000 for the Shelter Expansion The Shelter accepts an anonymous $70,000 donation for the expansion Ron & Katherine Harper commit $180,000 at groundbreaking First Presbyterian Church, Legacy of Love commits $75,000 at groundbreaking Combined with last year, $70,000 is raised by the Avon Foundation for Women’s “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence The Shelter received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to partially fund a part-time Shelter Assistant Transporter for seven months Shelter “Domestic Violence Marches” continue
2011
A support group, “It’s My Journey”, for victims of intimate partner abuse began. The meetings are free of charge and are held at confidential locations Third annual “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” at Quail Hollow Club sponsored by The Avon Foundation for Women, PGA Tour Wives Association and Wells Fargo Championship raised $35,000 for The Shelter Expansion Fund The First Gaston Foundation, Inc. awarded $35,000 toward The Shelter Expansion Fund At “Run For the Money 9” Shelter supporters raised $33,525.50 to provide assistance with childcare, women’s and children’s support groups, court advocacy and other unmet needs of Shelter Residents Construction of The Shelter’s new addition and renovation begin A private donor contributes the funds to hire a part-time Volunteer Donation Coordinator North Carolina Senator Kathy Harrington appoints the Shelter Coordinator to a two year term on the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission Cathy Cloninger is chosen as Gaston County’s “2011 Person of the Year” The Shelter’s work to end domestic violence continues!
2012
The Shelter renovation still underway The Sisters of Mercy Foundation awards The Shelter a grant of $40,000 to hire a full time case manager Susan O’Leary, Crisis Line Advocate leaves her position in March after 6 years of dedicated service In April, The Shelter celebrates our 30th anniversary At Run for the Money 10, Shelter supporters raise $37,730.17 to provide assistance with support groups (women’s and children’s), court advocacy, childcare and other Shelter needs A Volunteer Donation Coordinator is hired using privately donated funds In May, The Shelter chosen as recipients for 2nd annual Home Grown Gaston, raising $20,000
The Shelter sponsored a night at the Gastonia Grizzlies Game, raising $889 with the theme, “Strike out Domestic Violence” In June, Beth Bolin, Public Education Specialist, leaves her position with 8 years of dedicated service Two new staff members were hired: Dodi Beaver, Crisis Line Advocate, funding from the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission and Kathy Cheves, Shelter Relief Operator In May, Terri Twist was hired as a Community Donation Assistant In July, Kari Brown was hired as our full time Case Manager, funded by a Sisters’ of Mercy grant In September, Norketa Ferguson was hired as a Relief Shelter Operator and Christine Chapman was hired as the Bilingual Case Manager, a new position with funding provided by the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission In October, The Shelter logo and The Shelter of Gaston County will be registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office In November, Heather Prince was hired as our Shelter Outreach Specialist The Shelter’s work to end domestic violence continues! 2013 In January, The Shelter hired a Donation Assistant, Cammy Duncan A Shelter Case Manager was certified in the North Carolina Address Confidentially Program Revised Shelter brochures with updated theme and information Created new Shelter brochures: “A Guide for Parents – Helping Children Who Witness Domestic Violence” and a brochure, “Are You Abused?” Instituted a grant-funded Transitional Program funded through the Community Foundation of Gaston County, providing short-term financial assistance to qualified residents moving into newly acquired safe housing Received from Community Foundation $38,279.59 for “Run for the Money 11” to be divided equally between Childcare and Transportation In July, Jennifer Cannon, MSW, LCSW, Shelter Social Worker, resigned her position with 3 ½ years of dedicated service From The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation, The Shelter received a grant for $15,000 to fund essential staples and direct services for women and their children The Governor’s Crime Commission awarded the 2013 Domestic Violence Basic Services grant of $61,582.45. The Shelter will be notified by the Governor’s Crime Commission of the final award The Sisters of Mercy Foundation awarded The Shelter a grant of $40,000 to fund a full time case manager In July, Heather Prince resigned her position at The Shelter after working as the Volunteer Coordinator and later as The Shelter Outreach Specialist. She was hired in November, 2011 In August, Kari Brown was hired as the Shelter Social Worker. Previously, she held the position as the Case Manager; she earned her BSW from UNC-Charlotte In September, Donation Assistant Cammy Duncan resigned her position South Main Cycles and the Belmont Police Department presented a $2,000 check from the “Four Peaks Challenge” cyclist event in Belmont, NC Introduction of new posters “He loves me, He loves me not, He loves me” and “Domestic Violence can be confusing….Call for help”
In October, Misty Moore was hired as the Shelter Outreach Specialist The NC Cooperative Extension presented their 3rd Annual “Home Grown Gaston” event. The Shelter was chosen as the partnering cause, raising $16,377.00 The Shelter of Gaston County and The Gaston County Domestic Violence Prevention Council hosted the Domestic Violence Awareness Month program, “Remember My Name, Remember My Dreams” representing women, men and children who have died as a result of domestic violence since 2002 A Domestic Violence Awareness March commemorated the recent death of Zelda Kolock, a Gaston County Health & Human Services employee who was killed by her estranged boyfriend in September In November, Janet Schafer began her position as a Shelter Case Manager Ursula Smith, Child Care Worker position was temporarily suspended at the end of December 31st, 2013 due to personnel regulations regarding dual job assignments. We are reassessing the need and will reinstate upon availability of funding The Shelter’s work to end domestic violence continues! 2014 The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office partnered with The Shelter of Gaston County, The Charlotte School of Law, and local attorney’s to host a Domestic Violence Clinic throughout the year In January, Kathy Cheves resigned her position as Shelter Relief Operator. She was hired in April, 2012 In January, we received a Shelter van to replace our outdated station wagon In January, Tina Shell was hired as a Shelter Relief Operator In January, Norketa Ferguson resigned her position as Shelter Relief Operator. She was hired in September, 2012 On January 22, Terri Benefield of Mt. Holly, NC was murdered by her husband, Clyde Benefield, who then committed suicide In February, The Shelter’s first Domestic Violence Awareness March of the year was held for Terri Benfield In May, Eileen Geiger was hired as the Child Care Advocate In May, Melissa Woods was hired as the Weekend Shelter Relief Operator In July, Ursula Smith left her position as a Shelter Relief Operator. She was hired in March 2011 and completed 3+ years of dedicated service On August 21, Adaline Maria Phillip of Gastonia was murdered by her boyfriend, Dwayne Patrick Robinson, who used a knife In August, Wendy DeWispelaere left her position as a Shelter Relief Operator floater after 6 years of dedicated service In September, The Shelter of Gaston County, Gaston County Sheriff’s Office and Gaston County District Attorney’s Office hosted a law enforcement training for Gaston County, presenter was John Guard from Pitt County Sheriff’s Office In September, Ami Parker was hired as a Shelter Relief Operator In October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month- there was a display at the Gaston County Regional Public Library called “He Loves Me Not” At the Gaston County Administration Building and Gaston County Courthouse, tables held displays of table place settings called “An Empty Place at the Table” remembering all victims who had been murdered by their intimate partner In October, Christine Chapman left her position as a Bilingual Case Manager for a position in Charlotte after 3+ years of dedicated service
In October, Four Peaks Challenge held their second annual cycle ride which was sponsored by South Main Cycles and Belmont Police Department. Over 200 cyclists rode for this cause, raising $9,866.01 On October 14, A Candlelight Vigil was held presenting “Through a Child’s Eye” the effects of Domestic Violence on the Children by Amy Echstenpaker, MSW, LCSWA and Terri Twist, Shelter employee, who wrote and recited “I Only Remember Sundays” In October, Elaina Jones was hired as a Shelter Relief Operator floater In October, The Community Foundation of Gaston County approved a grant of $5,500 for the Purple Daisy Campaign In October, Forestview High School held a canned food drive and 2,737 cans of food items were collected by the entire school Created new Shelter brochure: “Volunteer Opportunities” featuring current Shelter volunteers The Shelter received many generous in-kind and monetary donations due to overflowing county response over the holiday season The Shelter’s work to end domestic violence continues! 2015 The Gaston County Sheriff’s Office partnered with The Shelter of Gaston County, The Charlotte School of Law, and local attorney’s to host a Domestic Violence Clinic throughout the year In January, Megan Buck was hired as the Shelter Outreach Specialist In February, The Shelter recognized Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness month by wearing orange on February 10th, to support healthy teen relationships In, February, Bridget McCall Berry, age 38 and her son, Treyvon “T.J.” Berry, 17 were murdered by her boyfriend sometime between the days of February 5-9, 2015. It is not known their cause of death, but when found their bodies were badly burned in a house fire On March 4, The Shelter had the first Domestic Violence march of the year, held for both Adaline Maria Phillips, age 47, who was murdered by her boyfriend in August, 2014 and Bridget McCall Berry and her 17 year old son
