Author Archives: admin

Prevail’s 2nd Annual Spring Fashion Show a Success!!

Posted on by

On Thursday, April 18, Prevail hosted its Annual “Spring into Fashion” Fashion Show at Woodland Country Club in Carmel. The event was an outstanding success, raising just over $14,600 to support victims of violent crime in our community! Thank you to Presenting sponsor Smith’s Jewelers and our emcee for the evening, WISH TV 8 anchor and investigative reporter, Karen Hensel, Joan Carney from Lilly’s Boutique in Zionsville, Woodland Country Club and Prevail’s courageous speaker!

Our speaker for the evening said it best, “I walked out the door with the clothes on my back – certain that there was a better life for me and my children – Prevail was there for me in more ways than I can ever express…I thrived in their classes and support…” Prevail would also like to thank our community for the continued support, making stories like this possible!

Prevail, Inc. & Hamilton County Probation Department host the Hamilton County Victim Impact Panel Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Posted on by

For Immediate Release
Friday, February 01, 2013
Noblesville, IN— Prevail, Inc., a Hamilton County-based non-profit organization advocating for victims of crime and abuse, will present the Hamilton County Victim Impact Panel in cooperation with the Hamilton County Probation Department on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. Attendance is mandatory for individuals who have been arrested in the county for an alcohol or drug-related traffic offense. The forum is open to the public and is free-of-charge.

The first panel for the year will feature all new speakers. A local pastor and his daughter will share their story of their wife/mother, who was killed by a drunk driver.
Larry Higgins will share the story of his son, whose car was hit head on by an intoxicated driver. Finally, an offender will share his story of how he walked away from what could have been a deadly accident and discuss his multiple operating while intoxicated offenses.

For many offenders coming face-to-face with people whose lives have been shattered when the combination of automobiles and alcohol turns deadly is the most sobering experience of all. The audience will listen to speakers who have been victims, as well as family members.  Also, several individuals with a long history of recovery have consented to speak and tell their stories.

The session will begin promptly at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton County 4-H Grounds and Exhibition Center located at 2003 Pleasant Street in Noblesville. Those planning to attend should arrive at the 4-H Grounds by 6:45 p.m. For more information contact Caitlin Shera at 317-773-6942 or cshera@prevailinc.com.

About Prevail, Inc.
Founded in 1986, Prevail is a dedicated and recognized model in the advocacy for crime victims by promoting community awareness through educational prevention programs and collaborative community partnerships. Programs and services are offered without discrimination against age, race, gender, creed, ethnicity, color, marital status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability and are confidential, personalized and free-of-charge. For more information on Prevail and its services, log on to www.prevailinc.com or contact Michelle Corrao at (317) 773-6942 or michelle@prevailinc.com.

Prevail, Inc. has a 24-Hour Crisis Line: 317-776-3472.

Contact:  Natasha Robinson
Prevail, Inc.
1100 S. 9th Street Ste: 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-6942
natasha@prevailinc.com
www.prevailinc.com
###

Duke Energy Foundation Partners with Prevail to Fund Parent Support Group

Posted on by

Noblesville, IN— Prevail, Inc. has received funding from the Duke Energy Foundation through a grant from Duke Energy, to assist in funding the agency’s Parenting Support Group.

The Duke Energy Foundation strongly believes in giving back and supporting the community that their agency serves. To honor that commitment, they have partnered with Prevail, Inc. This partnership will allow Prevail to continue to offer the 12-week, psycho-educational support group for non-offending parents whose child has been sexually assaulted along with a children’s support group that runs simultaneously for the children who have been sexually assaulted. The program objectives are to provide education, support, tools and skills to attending members of the parenting support group. Prevail is pleased to be able to continue to offer this successful program to our community and those who need it.


(Photo Mark LaBarr from Duke Energy presents Prevail’s Interim Executive Director, Michelle Corrao, with a $15,000 check. – From left to right: Jessica Reynolds – Prevail, Michelle Corrao – Prevail, Mark LaBarr- Duke Energy, Shirley Cecil – Prevail, Brittany Winebar- Prevail and Odle – Prevail.)

About Prevail, Inc.
Founded in 1986, Prevail is a dedicated and recognized model in the advocacy for crime victims by promoting community awareness through educational prevention programs and collaborative community partnerships. Programs and services are offered without discrimination against age, race, gender, creed, ethnicity, color, marital status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability and are confidential, personalized and free-of-charge. For more information on Prevail and its services, log on to www.prevailinc.com or contact Michelle Corrao at (317) 773-6942 or michelle@prevailinc.com.

Prevail, Inc. has a 24-Hour Crisis Line: 317-776-3472.

###
Contact: Natasha Robinson
Prevail, Inc.
1100 S. 9th Street Ste: 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-6942
natasha@prevailinc.com
www.prevailinc.com
###

A Survivor’s Story: December 2012

Posted on by

At the end of November, Prevail received a hand written letter and a donation from a former client. This is what the letter said…

1-21-12 – Dear Prevail,

I am writing to thank you and to donate. A pastor’s wife at Grace Community Church recommended Prevail to me, because I shared how hopeless I felt to ever be free from the abusive control of my spouse. I didn’t tell her that, by that point, the only way I felt I was getting out was if (or when) he killed me. I called Prevail and set up an appointment for the next week. I wasn’t sure if I was gonna make it until then, but I had to try. For 5 nights my husband refused to let me sleep more than an hour or so. The first 2 nights he said I couldn’t’ sleep because I wouldn’t give him money for drugs. “Wake up whore. You wanna sleep? Give me what I want; I’ll give you what you want.” Then 2 nights he wouldn’t let me sleep because he was so high he was paranoid I was going to leave him or he was forcing me to have sex with him several times and the 5th night, because he wanted money again. But this was the day I called Prevail. And this day I didn’t feel alone. And this day I could ask for help. So while he was distracted I reached for the dirty clothes lying next to the bed. Fearing he would see me if I got up, I pulled the clothes on under the sheets. I always slept with my purse and keys so he wouldn’t take my money or car. I ran from my apartment. I got to the police station at 1:00 A.M. I explained the situation, that I was exhausted and asked if the officer could ask my husband to leave. The young man said “Even if I do help, you’ll just be back in a couple of days. There’s nothing I can do for you. If you need sleep just get a hotel or stay at a friends.”

Wow! I guess he didn’t’ understand the hotel room costs money and that after years of isolation or friends giving up on me in frustration, that I had less friends than I had money. Plus, the few friends and family that would help me, my husband knew and would find me. He would threaten them or harass them or humiliate me in front of them until I would be too ashamed to show my face.

I called Prevail as soon as they opened and they got me in that day. I was a mess. Exhausted. Dirty clothes. No Bra. No toothbrush. Just a wreck. I filled out pages of my history and apologized profusely for bothering Prevail with my little “not that big of a deal” problems, the counselor’s eyes peered up at me over her glasses and said :not only is it a big deal, but at least 3 of the things your husband has done to you are felonies.” Felonies? Was it that bad? She said a lot of abused women say “oh, it’s not that bad” and for some it’s their last words. Somehow I had justified his actions. I mean, compared to my childhood or what I saw my mom go through it didn’t seem that bad. I thought as long as there wasn’t a lot of blood or bruising, it wasn’t abuse. I honestly didn’t know chocking, sleep deprivation, forced sex (we were married- it was his right – right?), or threatening to hunt me down and kill me where abuse tactics.

I had tried so many times to get away, but as he promised, he would always find me. I didn’t know that was called stalking – another form of abuse.

As the Prevail counselor spoke to me. I felt no judgment, no pity, just hope. I cried when she gave me toiletries and even some money to buy clean underwear and bra.

I found a friend of a friend to stay with while Prevail started the process. I took a hot shower and put on clean, new clothes. It was wonderful! As I was applying the moisturizer Prevail gave me I read the label, “Anti Aging.” I smiled at myself in the mirror and said out loud “only a woman who wants and knows she’s gonna live would use an anti aging moisturizer.” And I started to cry because I knew I was gonna be OK.

Thank you to all the staff at Prevail! Thank you for helping me put an end to the cycle of abuse in my life!!

Sincerely,
Leslie W.

Prevail’s November Newsletter

Posted on by
 

A Survivor’s Story

Abuse can come in many forms: mental, sexual and physical. Unfortunately I was the victim of two of them.

It started when I was dating my ex-husband the mental abuse became apparent after two years of dating. Nothing was ever good enough! I lived my life walking on egg shells. An abuser will tear you down to nothing and make you believe that no one else would want you. My nightmare that one day the abuse would escalate to physical abuse would come true.

Our Group Rooms Get a Make Over!

Thanks to a group of volunteers from Our Lady of Grace and a couple of valued community partners, we were able to bring some life to our group rooms!

Before After

Upcoming Events:

  
  • Fall into Giving for Prevail!: Wednesday, November 21st
  • Bowl-A-Thon Challenge
    Saturday, February 23 2013
  • “Spring into Fashion” Fashion Show: Thursday, April 18 2013
  • National Crime Victim’s Rights Week: Thursday, April 25 2013
For more information about these events, please contact Natasha Robinson @ 773-6942 or natasha@prevailinc.com

Mudlove Bracelets Available at Prevail!

They’re in! For a $10 donation, you will receive your choice of Mudlove Bracelet! There are two options, one that says “Prevail” with various band colors or one that says “NO MORE” with a teal band!

Contact Natasha Robinson 317-773-6942 or nataha@prevailinc.com

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In case you missed it, there were 62 Hoosier deaths in 2011 due to domestic violence. Of those 62, eight were children and two of those deaths were here in Hamilton County. Please join us beyond the month of October to increase awareness, educate our community and stop the violence!

Thanks to all of the people who made our awareness month activities possible and for showing your support!

Activities and Tea sponsored by Senator Luke & Sally Kenley.

Special thanks to:

  • Mayor John Ditslear
  • Chief Kevin Jowitt
  • Our Courageous Speaker
  • Dan Stevens & the Hamilton County Commissioners

View more photos on our facebook page!

Prevail Partners with Energizing Indiana

Energizing IndianaIn an effort to give back to the community, Energizing Indiana has created an incentive program that nonprofit organizations in Indiana may enroll in to receive up to $25,000 a year. For every supporter of Prevail who completes a Home Energy Assessment through Energizing Indiana, Prevail will receive $25 – up to $25,000 per program year!

Prevail’s supporters benefit by receiving an Energizing Indiana Home Energy Assessment that can help raise a home’s performance, lower energy consumption, improve in-home air quality and increase the home’s value.

Home Energy Assessments are funded by utility rates, and there are NO separate fees to participate. This program is available to electric customers of Duke Energy, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL), NIPSCO and Vectren, as well as communities served by the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA). More information is available at www.energizingindiana.com/programs/residential-home-energy-assessments.

For more information about how you can help or to sign up go to www.prevailinc.com or call the Prevail office at 317-773-6942

Fall Into Giving for Prevail

Take some time off all the holiday planning and enjoy an evening in support of Prevail! Wednesday, November 21st at 3 D’s Pub & Café in Carmel! Doors will open at 6:00pm for Dinner (with a portion of the food sales going to Prevail), silent auction ends at 9:30 pm, live auction begins at 8:00 pm, and Barometer Soup will perform from 7-11:00 pm!

Presented by: The Current, Pearl Vodka, Barometer Soup, Glazers, Triton Brewing Company and Three Ds’ Pub & Café.

Read More

TO ORDER YOURS – Contact Natasha Robinson 317-773-6942 or natasha@prevailinc.com

Cell Phone Recycling Program:

Don’t forget to bring your old cell phones into Prevail!

Through the Shelter Alliance Program, Prevail has raised over $41,000!

Drop off your phones at our office:

1100 South 9th Street, Suite 100
Noblesville, IN 46060

 

Madeline Gives Back!

Madeline

Madeline is an eight year old with a big heart! She attends Durbin elementary school and has always enjoyed doing things for other people. When she was just two years old she sat on Santa’s lap and asked for things not only for herself, but for any children that didn’t have as much as she did. She has decided to focus her kind attitude toward Prevail and the children that come into our agency at Christmas that may not have as much either. Please help her give back as well!

 

Prevail Receives Funding for 2013 Project

Prevail, Inc. has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The week of April 21 – 27, 2013, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This annual observance, first designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, seeks to increase general public awareness of, and knowledge about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime. The theme for 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “New Challenges. New Solutions.”

Prevail was one of the 77 projects recommended by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators and selected for funding by OVC for 2013 from the 169 applications that were submitted nationwide.

The Community Awareness Project that will be sponsored in Hamilton County will be a Criminal Justice “Odyssey” Open House Learning Activity, held on April 25, 2013. The open house will be a collaboration with Alternatives, Inc. ( an emergency domestic violence shelter located in Madison County) and many other agencies in Hamilton County that assist victims of crime. The event will focus on taking community members through each step of the experiences a victim would encounter when affected by a crime.

For additional information about 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities or about victims’ rights and services in Hamilton County please contact Prevail’s Public Relations Coordinator, Natasha Robinson at 773-6942 or visit our Web site at www.prevailinc.com. For information about national efforts to promote 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, please visit the Office for Victims of Crime Web site at http://www.ovc.gov.

We Need Your Help!!!

We are in need of gift cards for gas and groceries for our clients!! We can take either a monetary donation to be used towards gift cards or actual gift cards. You may drop them by the Prevail office or contact Shirley Cecil for more information!

Shirley@prevailinc.com or 317-773-6942

Thank You!

A special thank you to the Current for your partnership and support!

Current
Twitter
 

A Suvivor’s Story

Posted on by

Abuse can come in many forms: mental, sexual and physical. Unfortunately I was the victim of two of them. It started when I was dating my ex-husband the mental abuse became apparent after two years of dating. Nothing was ever good enough! I lived my life walking on egg shells. An abuser will tear you down to nothing and make you believe that no one else would want you. My nightmare that one day the abuse would escalate to physical abuse would come true.

My future began after I picked up the phone to call 911. As I looked in the mirror I saw my reflection with a split lip, black eye and bruising on my face. I never thought this would be me after ten years of marriage. Sure marital problems were a normal part of my marriage. Mental and verbal abuse was common place, which I now realize were warning signs to physical abuse. Suspicion of an affair and marital counseling appointments became part of my weekly routine.

Nothing prepared me for June 18th. My husband at the time asked me for a divorce. I asked for an explanation of why this was not mentioned in counseling. Before I could sort things out I felt a kick in the shin. As I ran from the bedroom stunned he followed me with multiple blows to my face. I screamed in terror, unclear of what set him off. My oldest daughter woke up and screamed, “Mom!” Thank God she did because I am not sure that he would have stopped beating me. Something clicked and he retreated back into his office to fold laundry. I switched to survival mode and grabbed my daughters and locked them in our bedroom. That is when I picked up the phone to call 911. At that very moment thoughts raced thru my mind. As the police arrived I did not know how to explain things to my then 7 and 9 year old daughters. They were way too young to have to worry about domestic violence in their home. As they loaded me into the ambulance my husband at the time was asking to have his hands looked at for injuries. He was concerned that he hurt his hands on my face. I will never forget how I felt at the time. As the ambulance pulled away I was overcome by emotion.

When I returned home from the hospital my proof was right in front of me. His IPod was unlocked and left for me to investigate. I found adult photos of a 22 year old girl. He chose to beat me to get out of our marriage so he could pursue a new relationship with this girl. I felt lower than low at the time and Prevail lifted me up at the darkest time in my life.

There is a rainbow at the end of this story.

During those dark days, the support that I received from others who had faced similar circumstances lifted me up and helped to keep me sane. I made many friends, as did my daughters in their support group that helped me understand I didn’t deserve what had happened to me. We shared laughs and tears, anger and joy, all mixed with fears of what was to come. Slowly I began to feel better about myself, realizing it was him, not me that was the problem. I learned that domestic violence doesn’t choose its victims. Any woman can become a victim regardless of her background, race, or socio-economic status. After one year of attending these weekly support groups, I had healed enough to move forward in my life. I could have dwelled on what happened to me and use it as an excuse to give up on life. Instead, I picked myself up and moved forward with living.
My daughters learned the warning signs of abuse as well as how to understand the topsy-turvy world in which they were living. They learned that relationships don’t have to include verbal, mental, or physical abuse. I find it ironic that I originally stayed in my marriage because I thought it’s what would be best for my children, and I made the decision to leave my marriage for the very same reason. We would not have made it without the support and guidance I found at Prevail.

Three years later my life is back on track. My life has changed for the better. Life is amazing. I am remarried to an amazing man who would never lay his hands on me, ever. My daughters have the stability they so desperately deserve. They now see their mother in a healthy, supportive relationship and hopefully will make a similar choice for themselves. While divorce is never easy on kids, they have both told me how much happier I am on a daily basis, and that I made the right decision. I want to tell everyone here today that there is a future out there for anyone who has been hit, demeaned, or humiliated. You deserve better!! Your future can be amazing! Trust me; I have walked the same walk as many of you.

Thank you Prevail! You gave me the courage to leave my marriage for good. The best move I have ever made. My life began again the night that I called 911! Just say NO MORE and stop the violence. No one deserves this. Just walk away and don’t look back! You can make it! I did!

Local Program Receives Community Awareness Project Funding for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Posted on by

10/05/2012
Noblesville, Indiana – Prevail, Inc. has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The week of April 21 – 27, 2013, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). This annual observance, first designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, seeks to increase general public awareness of, and knowledge about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime. The theme for 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “New Challenges. New Solutions.”

Since 2004, the NCVRW Community Awareness Project has provided financial and technical assistance to 610 communities. OVC also promotes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by sponsoring a Resource Guide that contains educational content, campaign materials, artwork, and public service announcements to increase general public understanding of crime victims’ rights and concerns and to educate crime victims and survivors about available resources.

NCVRW Community Awareness Project funding supports community collaboration on victim and public awareness activities, and innovative approaches to victim outreach and public education about victims’ rights and services during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and throughout the year. Prevail was one of the 77 projects recommended by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators and selected for funding by OVC for 2013 from the 169 applications that were submitted nationwide.

According to Joye Frost, Acting Director of OVC, the Community Awareness Project helps generate widespread public awareness of crime victims’ rights and needs, and the importance of engaging all Americans in victim assistance efforts.

“Recent studies show that too many crime victims and survivors do not avail themselves of the many services in our communities that can help them through very devastating experiences. National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is our opportunity to support public awareness of crime victims’ rights and the critical, often life-saving, services provided by thousands of programs across our Nation to help crime victims,” Frost said.

According to Natasha Robinson, the Community Awareness Project that will be sponsored in Hamilton County will be a Criminal Justice “Odyssey” Open House Learning Activity, held on April 25, 2013. The open house will be a collaboration with Alternatives, Inc. ( an emergency domestic violence shelter located in Madison County) and many other agencies in Hamilton County that assist victims of crime. The event will focus on taking community members through each step of the experiences a victim would encounter when affected by a crime.

“The support from NAVAA and OVC for our 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities will help us help crime victims,” Robinson said. “Members of our community are encouraged to help promote justice through service to crime victims by joining our 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities and supporting victim assistance programs throughout the year.”

For additional information about 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities or about victims’ rights and services in Hamilton County please contact Prevail’s Public Relations Coordinator, Natasha Robinson at 773-6942 or visit our Web site at www.prevailinc.com. For information about national efforts to promote 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, please visit the Office for Victims of Crime Web site at http://www.ovc.gov.

The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators is a non-profit organization that represents the 56 state agencies that distribute funds from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to more than 4,000 direct victim assistance service providers. All of the funds for VOCA programs come from criminal fines and other penalties paid by federal criminal offenders and not from taxpayer dollars.

###

Contact: Natasha Robinson
Prevail, Inc.
1100 S. 9th Street Ste: 100
Noblesville, IN 46060
317-773-6942
natasha@prevailinc.com
www.prevailinc.com

Meet Odle!

Posted on by
Reply

The newest member of Prevail’s staff my be a bit fuzzy but he is fully trained and ready to serve victims of crime and abuse!  Odle, a 2 1/2 year old double doodle, is a certified facility dog who has been through rigorous training through the Indiana Canine Assistance Network.

His work will include assisting with children’s support groups, attending interviews at child advocacy centers, and other activities to help and assist victims of crime and abuse.

If you see Odle in the office, he is on duty so please ask before interacting with him.  Also, he has severe food allergies so don’t provide him with any treats.

We are delighted to add Odle to the Prevail family!

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month!

Posted on by
Reply

As part of our efforts to keep our community safe we’d like to share some resources about talking to your teen about healthy relationships as well as information on teen dating violence.  If you have concerns about your relationship, or that of your child, please talk to someone or give us a call!

Talk to Your Teen About Safe Dating

Teens and Healthy Relationships NCADV