Peace with Justice Grant helps break the cycle of violence | By Judy Dirks
Victims of domestic violence remain in dangerous situations for a variety of reasons. The abuser has typically taken over control of the victim’s life and diminished his or her self-esteem making leaving or staying away seem an impossibility.
A domestic violence program in Boundary County, Idaho operates through the Boundary County Youth Crisis and Domestic Violence Hotline. Services are provided through victim advocates – hired and trained by the Hotline board and coordinator. With the recent emphasis by the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Church and Society Action Team on breaking the cycle of violence, an application for a 2012 Peace with Justice Grant from this program drew immediate attention. The application was specifically for the Women’s Support Group. When asked by the Program Coordinator how the group would like to use the funds, the women’s response was “for training in self-defense!”
These victims wanted to regain their sense of empowerment. The program received one of the grants which were limited in number and amount due to a decrease in Peace with Justice Sunday offerings. The hope of the Church and Society Team is that for the victims who are in and will be taking part in this support group the cycle of violence can be broken. Children involved may no longer be witness to and possibly victims themselves of violence in the home which can often lead to becoming adult victims, or abusers themselves. This is an example of justice that can be offered by our Annual Conference through Peace with Justice Sunday local church offerings.
This special Sunday is celebrated annually, officially the first Sunday following Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit calling for God’s Shalom, but can be held on another date of choice. One-half of the offering remains in the Conference and is to be collected and administered by the Conference Church and Society Board (Action Team). Churches and non-profit programs can apply for Peace with Justice Grants.
For the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace with Justice Award, $1000 is reserved. For information or grant application for the next grant cycle due in May 2013 contact Church and Society Team Chair, Ann Eachus, at ann@eachus.org.
This article was originally featured in Channels 56, September 2012. Download this issue, here.
