Recovery from Rape

Recovery  from rape can be a long process. Two things that makes healing go smoother for many survivors are friends and family who believe and stand by us and a strong support network. The support network should include family and friends. It may also include support from a rape crisis center, educational materials, clergy, other survivors, a therapist or doctor. Survivors need to remember that it is acceptable to reach out for any help that is needed.

Recovery from rape is sometimes slowed by issues of finances or court battles. Victim Compensation is available in all 50 states. Each state has different rules regarding applying for funding. To find the Victim Compensation Fund in your area click this link.

Flashbacks, PTSD and social stigma are common issues in recovery from rape. Support from a rape crisis center can be helpful these symptoms manifest. Walking in the door can be hard. RAINN operates a National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE. If you would like to local a rape crisis center in your area a list of state coalitions can be found online here.

Many times survivors' lives will be rearranged and reevaluated. Universally, survivors will feel overwhelmed from time to time. No one can put a time frame on recovery from rape even though every survivor wants to do so. It is important for a survivor to have time and space to grieve.

In short, anyone who is looking at recovery from rape deserves to have whatever support is needed to heal. There is no shame in healing or in surviving a rape or sexual assault. All shame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the abuser which is where it belongs.

Rape is never the fault of the victim.

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About our Voices of Hope Guests

I am often asked what we look for in the guests that we have on Voices of Hope.This blog post hopes to answer the question.

For those of you who may not already know, Voices of Hope is our internet radio show. We offer this twice a week on Blog Talk Radio. As far as we can tell this is the only radio show in existence that is geared exclusively to the needs and interests of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. It started in February and has already amassed over 21,000 listens. When you consider that we took the month off the figure is even more impressive.

We truly have great guests on Voices of Hope. We look for people who have overcome sexual or domestic violence or who have made a difference in the lives of survivors.

The advocates and domestic violence programs that we highlight all work hard in the field to improve the lives of the people they serve. The survivors who have walked the path from pain into healing share their insights to help others. Authors who write about issues faced by survivors or who support domestic violence or sexual assault programs are welcome. We've also had pastors on Voices of Hope who have experience with survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Show topics for Voices of Hope often come from survivors themselves. Two popular shows that have come from survivors' requests were Domestic Violence and Halloween Safety with Anny Jacoby and Financial Empowerment with Ms. Kalyn Risker.

Point your browser to Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio on Monday nights at 8:00 PM and Tuesdays at 12Noon (EST).Learn about sexual and domestic violence and be encouraged and empowered.

Find out more on our Facebook Fan Page or follow us on Twitter for updates.
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Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shoppers Raise $ for Charity!

If you are cyber shopping this weekend you'll want to check out this article. When you purchase through these two links this Christmas a tiny percentage will benefit Hope for Healing.Org. We'll use these funds to keep providing services to victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Check out:



iGive is a shopping portal with hundreds of participating stores. Look for deals from Best Buy, Choice Hotels, the Popcorn Factory, Anne Klein, Target, LL Bean, Jones NY, Lenox, Fandango and more!



Your searches can help raise money too!

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Author Thomas Edward on Voices of Hope 12/1/09

Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet welcomes Thomas Edward, author of Healing A Man's Heart. He is a survivor who knows and understands the unique healing issues that are faced by men. As an empowering speaker, his workshops are credited with changing lives.

Listeners can call into 718.506.1545 to ask a question live on the air. Questions can be emailed in advance to voicesofhope@hopeforhealing.Org.

Point your browser to Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio at 12Noon (EST); Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009.
Tell your friends. Set a reminder of follow us on Twitter @gaylesglimpses to get a show reminder.

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Happy Thanksgiving

The volunteers of Hope for Healing.Org would like to wish the people we serve a Happy Thanksgiving. May each of your lives be filled with goodness and warmth of healthy family and friends today and always.

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Healing News Distributed

We are proud to announce that at long last, Healing News was just distributed. If you did not receive our newsletter please visit http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HealingNews/message/25 to sign up.

Healing News is one of the oldest newsletters on the internet. We believe it may actually be the oldest newsletter online for survivors of sexual or domestic violence. Articles from survivors and sponsorships are welcome. Email admin@hopeforhealing.org to learn more.  

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Knoxville Author Hosts Virtual Book Signing to Benefit Charity

A local author has found a unique way to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence this holiday season.

A virtual book signing is now in progress. Author Gayle Crabtree is making signed copies of her books, Does God Still Love Me and Secondhand Hope available this holiday season. She is donating the profits to Hope for Healing.Org to help survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Does God Still Love Me was written by Gayle Crabtree. Taken from the questions most often asked by survivors of sexual and domestic violence, Does God Still Love Me is chock full of information that survivors need to regain spiritual footing.

Secondhand Hope was taken from the lives of the clients served by Hope for Healing.Org when the ministry center was operational. Economics force the closure of the ministry center in the fall of 2009. It is hoped that the book proceeds will allow Hope for Healing.Org to once again offer local services.

A limited number of autographed copies are available for the holidays for $12.00 each (plus $3.00 for standard shipping). Of that amount $4 per book will go to benefit the general fund of Hope for Healing.Org.

Does God Still Love Me and Secondhand Hope make perfect gifts this holiday season. Order by Dec. 15 to ensure Christmas delivery. When ordering please specify which book title you wish to purchase. Email admin@hopeforhealing.org for more information. 

More information about the books can be found on this Amazon.com link. Order by December 15, 2009 to ensure Christmas delivery.

Does God Still Love Me or Secondhand Hope

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Cathy Dabney on Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet on Blog Talk Radio

Cathy Dabney is our special guest on the Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet today. Tune in at 12Noon (EST) to hear about how she has transformed her life into a powerful testimony of recovery from abuse.

Cathy Dabney is an entrepreneur, domestic violence advocate, a poet, and a wife & Mom of 3 children, Alexis, Sadie, & Armani.  Cathy's background is in Management and in the Mortgage Industry.  She and her husband Reginald owned a mortgage company in the State of Michigan for just over 10 yrs with 5 offices. Cathy is excited about life, purposed to uplift others, and passionate about being a wife and Mom! Cathy currently works alongside her husband, Reginald, building an empire across the nation with their Ardyss International business. She is passionate about helping transform the lives of others by encouraging, inspiring and motivating them with her GoodMorningWithCathy BlogTalkRadio show and by educating others on how to use Ardyss International as a vehicle to create generational wealth not only for themselves and their children but their childrens children


Learn more about Cathy Dabney at the following urls:

www.blogtalkradio.com/cathy-dabney

www.facebook.com/cathypowerpackdabney

www.facebook.com/goodmorningwithcathy

www.twitter.com/goodmorningwcat

Don't forget to point your browser to Voices of Hope at 12Noon (EST) today to hear her powerful testimony. 

Get alerts about this Voices of Hope show and more. Follow Gayle on Twitter @gaylesglimpses Use the "Share" button below to tell your friends!

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Domestic Violence vs Sexual Assault Is there a difference?

Domestic violence vs sexual assault. Is there a difference?

One of the things that I am seeing more often are victims who tell me they've been sexually assaulted by a boyfriends, ex-husband or husband.That's actually domestic violence manifested as a sexual assault. I don't want to upset anyone but there is a difference between the two situations and each situation has different considerations.

Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse where the victim and abuser have a relationship. And yes, even a past relationship counts. Typically, the domestic violence pattern begins with a honeymoon stage where all is wonderful. Then the control starts. After pressure starts to build there is some kind of explosion or release. This leads into the battering stage. This stage can include emotional battering and physical or sexual battering (or a combination.)

It is critical to make a domestic violence safety plan after someone has been sexually assaulted or otherwise victimized when in a relationship. The best way to create a plan is to call or sit down with a trained advocate. The advocate can help the survivor think through and develop a plan. If you do not know how to contact your local domestic violence program you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE. They will help you find a program near you.

It may not be necessary to develop a detailed safety plan for a sexual assault of a more random nature. It may be that the most important things are appropriate supportive care such as medical treatment, emotional and legal support. Friends and family of rape victims may also find such support to be helpful. The Rape Abuse Incest National Network provides a 24 hour hotline. The toll free number is 1.800.656.HOPE.

Whether a person is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or both, it is appropriate to have long term care. Often, the best place to find this care is from your local Sexual Assault Crisis Center or Domestic Violence Agency.

Survivors of either crime deserve to have a good support network and emotional support. Although guilt and blame are common, it is never appropriate for the victim to feel that she or he somehow deserved to be abused or raped. Sexual assault centers and domestic violence agencies can help with these feelings.

No matter what, one key thought to remember is that abuse is never the fault of the victim. It is never ok to take ones anger or frustration out on another person. It is ok for the survivor to get any help that is needed to heal.

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Rape Victim Recovery Tips from Sexual Assault Survivors

Rape recovery is hard but it can be done. These tips have been submitted by survivors in the hopes of helping other rape victims become survivors and find healing. Please feel free to add your own ideas in the comments section of this article. You can use the Share button below to tell your friends about these recovery tips.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivors #1

Keep a diary to help you identify flashback triggers. This is the first step in resolving them.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #2

If you have nightmares get someone in your home to help you. If you live alone buy a stuffed animal or other comfort object to serve as a reminder that you are safe. Getting a pet may also help.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #3

Redirect your dreams. It takes awhile to get the hang of it but it works. When you lie down to go to sleep tell yourself that if you experience a nightmare you are going to turn it around. It takes a lot of work, but several people have told me it works for them.

 If you feel like you are more secure with a stuffed animal go ahead! Is it really going to matter to anyone else if you have a teddy bear on your bed? It is you who needs to heal. If it helps you feel better to do this then do it. If you are afraid to go into a store and buy one for yourself then tell yourself it is part of taking care of that scared part inside of you. Because that is exactly what you are doing.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #4

Support. Support. Support.Find some. If you do not have anyone to sort your feelings out with or if you want to do it without face to face contact there is an online email support group. We are not professionals. We have simply been there too. Email me if you need the information on this group.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #5

 Cry or scream into a towel or pillow.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #6

 You have an opportunity to do something new. You may experience anger and deep frustration. THIS IS NORMAL. I have known of people taking voice lessons, learn to play a musical instrument, begin karate or any number of things. What matters is that it gives you time to heal and use some of your anger.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #7

 Take 5. Take 5 minutes everyday and just be nice to yourself. You may be thinking how can I do that??? It isn't so difficult. Next time you are in stalled traffic pop in a soothing tape (one that you use especially for times like these.) Set the alarm so you get up 5 minutes early and watch the sun rise. Right before going to bed take 5 minutes and make a determined effort to set them aside for "you" time. It's not as hard as you might think.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #8

 Take soothing warm baths scented with your favorite. This need not be expensive but can really take the pressures away. While you are doing this listen to some soft relaxing music.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #8

Do you like hot tea? Or flavored hot chocolate or coffee? Sit down and fix yourself a cup. Sip it slowly. Take your time. Enjoy.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #9

 When you feel anxiety climbing to the uppermost limit, stop what you are doing. Look around you. If you do not feel safe go to a safe place immediately. When you are safe try to concentrate on breathing out very slowly. Do this several times until you feel better. Resist the urge to rush. Just concentrate on breathing out slowly and relaxing.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #10

When you get angry don't be afraid of it. Rip an old newspaper to shreds. Stomp all over a pillow. Run in place. Throw safe objects that aren't breakable into other safe spaces, stomp your feet, yell, scream into your pillow. Do whatever it takes to get the anger out. Don't hold it in.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #11

 Remember those wonderfully fun looking puddles you always wanted to splash in as a child? Well, why not now? It's a great stress breaker!

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #12

Is it winter and you have snow in the yard? Build a snowperson. It'll be fun, and takes lots of energy. Best done by recruiting neighborhood kids to help. (Be careful, the woman suggesting this also advised of the possibility of snowball fights.)

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #13

 Go to a used book store and prowl around until you find a book you like. They may be re-runs but it will be "new to you" and an inexpensive treat.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #14

Redirect your mind. Window shop. Surf the internet. Use StumbleUpon to randomly find interesting sites.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #15

Go to a mall or park and people watch.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #16

 Sing your heart out on bad and good days! No one has to hear you. That's what cars and showers are for!

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #17

 Do something you've always wanted to do, but haven't gotten gotten around to yet. There's no better time like now.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #18

 Get physical! Taking a walk is probably the easiest and cheapest one. While you are out make an effort to notice your surroundings.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #19

 Pray. If you aren't sure how, there are people who will be happy to help you. All you need to do is ask. A church is as close as your phone book, there are online ministries and many books available.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #20

 Run, climb, or dance. These things require more energy than walking and are good stress relievers.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #21

Take time to be kind to yourself. It takes time to overcome a tragedy. Do not feel as though you must be healed NOW! Give yourself time.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #22

 Keep a journal. This is a wonderful way, not only to help process your thoughts but when you look back. You can see patterns that need to be changed. It can also show you how much healing you have done.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #23

If you have a flashback. Hold on to something. Maybe a table or even a friend. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly. Focus on what is going on around you that you can see and touch. Keep doing this until you feel better.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #24

check out jokes, zoos, or crafts on one of the search engines.

Rape and Abuse Recovery Tips from Victims and Survivor #25

Treat yourself. Take an extra few minutes over a steaming cup of tea or cocoa. Give yourself a foot massage. Have your nails done. The activity matters less than the fact that you are something nice for yourself. 

More tips can be found by clicking this link. (There will be a 15 second intermission before the page loads. We use the revenue to keep the blog and website active.)

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Board Planning Session Sunday, Nov. 22

Board Meeting Planning Session

To all Hope for Healing.Org board members:
Don't forget the planning session on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 22. It's from 1:30pm - 5:00 pm. You should have received an email with the location. Email gayle@hopeforhealing.org if you did not get it or if you cannot be there. Lunch will be provided.

We'll see you there!

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Transcript of Child Sexual Assault Speech at the Lincoln Memorial in DC

A partial transcript from the speech against child sexual assault that was given at the Lincoln Memorial in DC appears on this blog. To view the transcript in it's entirely click here. You can also watch the You Tube video on this blog article.

Speaking out at the FACSA Rally in Washington, DC. The speech was given by Gayle D'Ambrosio Crabtree, founder of Hope for Healing.org.

"No More" Child Sexual Assault
As delivered November 14, 2009

It is time for the silence surrounding child sexual assault to be shattered, not broken. If the United States, as a nation is a body of people then the Lincoln Memorial is the conscience of the nation. Today we gather so that the conscience of the nation can declare its freedom from child sexual assault.


"No more".
"No more".
"No more".
"No more".
"No more". 
"No more" ... child sexual assault.

It is time for child sexual assault to end. We gather at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to declare our freedom from child sexual assault. We declare healing can be found for all child victims. 


What do we have to do? 

If we know a child victim it is time to pick up the phone and call our state hotline. We need to not be afraid. We know we can report anonymously. There are protections in place. We need to reach out for those protections. We need to report. We need to protect our children. We need to protect our neighbors' children and we need to do this for the benefit of our communities. 

There are programs in place where we can go online and search out for the locations of sexual predators. There are websites online where we can find the information and be wary. How many in this crowd regularly visit their state sexual predator websites to look up the information? Learning where sexual predators live is the first step in protecting our children.


Resources are available on www.thehopeblog.org to help you look up the location of child sexual predators. These are free searches. We must be knowledgeable. The child you may be protecting by knowing the location of predators may be your own. Or, the child may belong to your friend or family member...


Click here for the rest of the transcript.
A transcript of the invocation is available by clicking here.

After giving this speech Gayle was called "the strongest speaker on the platform" by one attendee. She frequently speaks out against sexual assault and domestic violence.  Contact@imaginepublicity.com helps arrange her speaking schedule. Contact them to book Gayle today.

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Invocation from the Lincoln Memorial to Child Victims of Sexual Assault

Invocation - November 14, 2009
From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC
FACSA Rally for Victims of Child Sexual Assault
Delivered by Gayle D’Ambrosio Crabtree

Oh lord God,
We come to you today on behalf of child victims of sexual assault who languish in the stronghold of someone else’s sin. Child innocents wait to be rescued from abusers who are too strong for them to conquer alone. These children wait for knowledgeable adults, family and friends to do the right thing and make a phone call that will bring rescue. They wait for CPS and courageous people to bring rescue from abusers who are too strong for children to conquer alone.


We come to you today oh God, on behalf of teen victims of child sexual assault. They wait for youth workers, for clergy, for someone to notice their pain and reach out and take their hands to rescue them from abuse. They wait for comfort, hope and the knowledge that they are valued and loved.


Lord God, we also come to you today on behalf of young adults who are victims of child sexual assault. They valiantly put on brave faces while waiting to be shown a life path that is free from abuse. Their struggles with identity lead to confusion on who they are and what they believe. We pray that young adult victims of child sexual assault might find strong role models who are willing mentor and guide them.


We pray for adults who carry the burden of child sexual assault we pray for rescue. Release these adults, and all victims of child sexual assault, from the shackles of someone else’s shame. Lead them to emotional safety so they may find a new life free from the shackles of abuse.


Lead abusers from the wilderness of manipulative thoughts and harmful actions. Penetrate the hard hearts of abusers with your love. Let them see the wrong of their ways, feel true remorse so they may be healed from their sickness, accept responsibility and go and depart from their evil ways.


Lord, rescue us as a society. Purge the depravity of child sexual assault from among us. Give us judges, lawyers, advocates and staff to shore up a judicial system that sometimes serves more to protect abusers than it does to protect the victims. Give all who are sworn to serve and protect tools and knowledge rescue our streets from perpetrators of child sexual assault.


The task is too much for us to conquer without your help. Hone our eyesight. Sharpen our hearing. Guide and strengthen each of us here today so that we may never fail to hear the cries of the hurting. Give us courage release child victims of sexual assault so that we may all become the people that You want us to be.


It is in Your Name we pray,


Amen

Inspiration for the invocation was taken from Psalm 18:17-18 NIV

     17 “He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from foes who were too strong for me.
     18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support

eBay Auction to Benefit Hope for Healing.Org Going on Now!

A benefit eBay auction is going on now. The seller AAMazingStuff2Have is giving our organization an early Christmas present by listing items for sale that will benefit our cause. A full 10% of the selling price will help us help others.  The sale is only on select items. Funds are guaranteed by Mission Fish to come to Hope for Healing.Org.

Sounds great right? It gets even better. The seller is offering free shipping on the items that are listed for our cause!

Be sure to check out the books that are listed below.

Mosaics by Kim Flachmann
Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
The Prize Pulitzer by Kathy Maxa, Roxanne Pulitzer
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts
Girl in the Mirror by Nancy L. Snyderman, Peg Streep
Our Endangered Values by Jimmy Carter

Many, many thanks to AAMazingStuff2Have for your help!  

Gayle Crabtree at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC

Gayle Crabtree, Founder of Hope for Healing.Org speaks out against child sexual assault at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The event was organized by FACSA. Accompanying Gayle were 3 members of Hope Youth, Alisha, Allie and Charity. See our Facebook page for photos.

Photos from FACSA Rally at the Lincoln Memorial in DC

We had a life changing rally at the Lincoln Memorial in DC today. Here are a few photos from the event. More photos are now on our Facebook Fan page.

Off to the Lincoln Memorial in DC

I am off to the Lincoln Memorial in DC with three of the greatest kids! We had a blast at the motel last night. So far, I've introduced two of them to Bojangle's and we are just having a great time. One of the kids has never been to Virginia. She's just loving the experience. I'll write more as I can. Right now we've stopped for gas. One of the kids is teaching another how to check tire air pressure. They're so fun.

Follow us at Twitter @gaylesglimpses

Angelica Harris on Blog Talk Radio Voices of Hope 11/17/09

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Visit Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio now to set a show reminder. You will want to hear how author Angelica Harris has partnered with NY Life to make a difference in the lives of abused children. Hear her inspiring story. Celebrate her achievements. Read more aborut Angelica Harris below.


Mythical Fantasy author Angelica Harris, www.angelicaharris.com, lives in NY with her family. She is the author of books The Quest for Excalibur and Excalibur and the Holy Grail. Harris is a member of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Glendale Kiwanis, the Society for Creative Anachronism and loves Fencing. Angelica is the Producer/ Director of the Hall of Imagination at Frankie’s Playce in Atlas Park Queens. Her third book, Excalibur Reclaims Her King, with Corey Blake www.writersoftheroundtable.com was released in April 2009. 


Voices of Hope airs on Tuesday at 12Noon (EST).  
Call in or listen live 718.506.1545 or click on the link above.  

Follow us on Twitter @gaylesglimpses for the latest from Founder/President of Hope for Healing.org. It's a great way to get updates on all of our activities.

Thank You and Happy Veteran's Day

Where would we be without those who serve in the military? Happy Veteran's Day to all who have freely given so much. The people in our military perform difficult jobs under sometimes incomprehensible amounts of stress. To everyone who is serving or has served we want you to know we appreciate it. Thank you for doing the job you do. May God bless you and keep you safe!

Mary Singer Wick on Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet Today!

Mary Singer Wick will join us today on Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet. She will be telling us about her book My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love. We are looking forward to having a great show.

We have good news for our Raleigh, NC listeners. Mary Singer Wick will be doing a booksigning event. Visit her at Sign of the Fish in Raleigh on Friday, Nov. 27th. If you go, be sure mention that you heard her on Voices of Hope. You'll get some nice warm fuzzies and (probably) a big smile in return!

See you online!

View the website of Mary Singer Wick by visiting www.extravagantlife.net. 

Tune into Voices of Hope at:
URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealing
Call in to comment or listen live: 718.506.1545

Thanks Pleasant Hill UMC!

Many thanks to Pleasant Hill UMC. Beginning today, they are allowing us to work with our kids in their church fellowship hall. This partnership gives us a great opportunity to change lives both through restorative justice and through the ministries of Hope for Healing.Org. We are grateful to the people of Pleasant Hill UMC for this partnership opportunity.

Getting Ready for the Lincoln Memorial this Weekend

We're gearing up to visit the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, November 14, 2009. There have been a few changes in who is going with us. Right now, it's scheduled that Allie, our summer youth coordinator will play a flute solo for the closing ceremonies for the FACSA Rally.

Yesterday we confirmed that another youth volunteer will be able to go with us. Some of you will remember meeting Charity at the United Methodist Men event Calling All Men.  She helped us set up our display and gave out information about Hope for Healing.Org. To say that she is excited is an understatement. Charity is passionate about speaking out against child sexual assault.

We're waiting to hear about 2 others who may go with us. Everyone is very excited and grateful to have this once in a lifetime opportunity.Our team is planning to post blog updates and photos of the day. Everyone can follow our director's Twitter account @gaylesglimpses for updates as we go along.

If you are in DC come see us a the Lincoln Memorial!

Voices of Hope Passes 20,000 Listens Milestone!

We've seen it coming for awhile. Finally, it's official! Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio has now passed the 20,000 listener mark! This means that the show has been heard around the globe 20,000 times. We couldn't have done it without or dedicated listener base and quality show guests.

Part of the popularity is the availablilty of our free downloads. Beginning about 20 minutes after the conclusion of each broadcast  you can download each Voices of Hope segment through your iTunes account. This is a free download. Feel free to burn a copy and share it with others. It's a great way to spread the healing!

Past shows have included survivor poetry readings, how to use your Bible, save your credit, be safer and topics such as domestic violence and Halloween. Voices of Hope has also welcomed authors and survivors who have been willing to share their stories.

It's been inspirational, encouraging and informative. Voices of Hope airs on Mondays at 8PM and Tuesdays at 12Noon (Eastern). Be sure to point your browser to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealing or call 718.506.1545 during show time to listen live or comment on the air.

Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio is perfect for survivors of sexual or domestic violence or to inform the family and friends of survivors. Our Monday night segment is all about healing. Tuesdays are designed to have a more educational format. The shows are very different. You'll want to tune into both broadcasts.

Feel free to visit our show page on Blog Talk Radio to set a Voices of Hope reminder. Follow our founder on Twitter @gaylesglimpses to get all the updates on everything that happens at Hope for Healing.Org. It's a great way to simultaneously support others and be informed.

Mary Singer Wick on Voices of Hope 11/10/2009

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Voices of Hope welcomes Mary Singer Wick. Tune in at 12Noon (EST) this coming Tuesday (11/10/2009.)  Hear her amazing and inspirational story. Tell your friends. Sign up for Twitter announcements @gaylesglimpses to keep up with all of our updates.

Mary Singer Wick is a speaker and writer committed to using her gifts of exhortation and encouragement to draw women into a deeper relationship with Christ. Her inspiring story passionately reveals God’s transformative work in her life, and the healing available to all who seek Him. Mary’s zeal for God’s Word, and her ability to communicate this love, has earned her the nickname of “Miss Enthusiasm” by her audience.

Mary graduated from S.U.N.Y. Cortland in New York with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and earned her master’s degree in higher education administration from Boston College in Massachusetts. After several years in corporate recruiting, she answered God’s call and authored her first book My Heart's Desire: A Journey Toward Finding Extravagant Love. Shortly after its release, the book became an Amazon #1 bestseller in April, 2009.

Mary and her husband, Jon, live in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are members of Providence Baptist Church where Mary serves in the women’s mentoring program. She operates her speaking ministry under the name of Extravagant Life, LLC. For more information please visit http://extravagantlife.net/site/.

Don't miss Mary Singer Wick on Voices of Hope! Tune in Tues. Nov. 10, 2009 at 12 Noon (EDT). Listen live or call in to 718.506.1545. Questions may be asked on air or emailed in advance to voicesofhope@hopeforhealing.org.

Hope for Healing.Org Director to Speak at Lincoln Memorial in DC

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On November 14, 2009, Gayle D’Ambrosio Crabtree will join with other speakers to show unilateral support for victims of child sexual assault at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The rally is being organized by the foundation of Family and Friends Fighting Against Child Sexual Assault (FACSA). According to the FACSA website ( www.facsasavethechildren.com) a child is molested in the U.S. every 4 seconds and only 1:10 victims will ever disclose the abuse. The rally by FACSA is important in breaking down the barriers that keep child sexual abuse victims silent.

Activities begin at 10:00 am and will continue into the evening. A growing list of participants is coming from all around the United States to support victims. A preliminary list includes: FACSA, Hope for Healing.Org, Speaking Out Against Child Abuse, Stop the Silence and more. For more information on the FACSA Rally call (318)938-2882 or (318) 578-0019 or visit www.facsasavethechildren.com

Flute soloist for the closing ceremonies is Alexandria Crabtree. She is a 2006 graduate of Carter High School. Miss Crabtree is a student at Berea College in Berea Kentucky where she is principal flute. After graduation, she plans to teach during summer 2010 in Sudan, Africa before returning to the US to attend graduate school. In 2007-2009 she was the Summer Youth Coordinator for Hope for Healing.Org.

Gayle D’Ambrosio Crabtree is a recognized speaker and author. In 2002, she is a National Daily Point of Light. Mrs. Crabtree has appeared on national, regional and local television, local and regional radio broadcasts and in print media. In 2007, she was named a “A Woman Worth Watching" in the international publication The Flier by the Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church. Her books include Does God Still Love Me and Secondhand Hope. Both are available from Amazon.Com.

Drawing on over a decade of experience Ms. Crabtree teaches clergy how to recognize and respond to victims of domestic violence within their congregations. Workshops include prayer and personal journaling, spiritual development and motivational speaking. Local services are offered in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Services are provided to clients without charge.

All local programs are fully replicable. Ms. Crabtree can and does provide consulting to help churches and organizations develop effective compassion evangelism programs. The local ministry center programs of Hope for Healing.Org included food pantry distribution, clothing closet and services to juvenile offenders.

Ms Gayle D’Ambrosio Crabtree currently resides in East Tennessee and can be reached through Imagine Publicity at contact@imaginepublicity.com.

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Author Lori Finnila on Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet @12 Noon 11/3/09

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Join us on Voices of Hope Lunch Buffet today to meet Lori Finnila. She is an author and domestic violence survivor. Her newest title is "The Virtuous Woman". This book is an awareness raiser about domestic violence. Lori pulled herself out of an abusive relationship that had lasted for years. In the process she suffered a permanent brain injury and now encourages others through her books, internet radio show and communicating with other survivors.

Be sure to tune in to Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio:

URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealing

Guest Call-in Number: 718.506.1545.

Guests are welcome to call in with questions and comments. No computer access during lunch? No problem. Dial in and listen. We love it when people hang-out with us!

Don't forget to tweet it and tell your friends. See you at 12 Noon EST on Voices of Hope!

Stop Domestic Violence with iGive Search Get Free Cookie Recipes

Help domestic violence victims and get free cookie recipes. For a limited time, when you sign up to use iSearch through this iGive account link you will receive a free cookie recipe e-book  Once we're designated, every time you use the Yahoo powered search engine iSearch, .02 will be raised to support the work of Hope for Healing.Org. You can track your search engine earnings on the iGive site. We need everyone to sign up!

The account is checked for new email addresses daily. Each address will receive a free cookie booklet e-book as a thank you.

1:3 women worldwide will be a victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime. Hope for Healing.Org helps to provide support, education and empowerment to victims through the internet and locally based services in East Tennessee. We do not have a large corporate funder. There are now large checks coming in to keep us online.  In this time of shrinking budgets every penny counts.

You can also help us raise funds by shopping through the iGive link online. Choose from companies like Amazon.com, Choice Hotels, Staples, eBay, QVC, Best Buy and others. Every time you purchase through  the iGive account a tiny percentage of the purchase amount is donated to Hope for Healing.Org. Plus, it doesn't cost you any more than you normally would pay!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up to get your free cookie recipe booklet and begin helping victims of domestic violence today.