Hope Youth 2009 Achievements on You Tube

In addition to our work online, local services are offered in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Hope Youth are kids who come to us to do community service who stay on as volunteers or they are kids who want to make a difference in their community. Strawberry Plains, Tennessee is a rural area outside of Knoxville in Jefferson County. A slideshow is on the player on the right of the screen.



The kids who we work with in Strawberry Plains range from high functioning scholars at the top of their high school class to kids who can barely read. Some come to us from Appalachian type of settings with a poverty mindset. Others come to us from Knoxville with different cultural backgrounds.

Hope for Healing.Org is a Christian organization. We give out Bibles when requested and answer questions about Christianity. It is ever our goal to interfere with the cultural or religious background of the individual in Strawberry Plains or online. Our desire is to foster an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect.

The kids seem to enjoy their time at Hope for Healing.Org and learn life-changing skills. We think that's pretty cool. How about you?

Share

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009

For this article we're going to take a look at our top articles for 2009. The list may surprise you. Each title is a link to the main article where you can read more. All of The Hope Blog top articles of 2009 were based strictly on the website traffic each article generated.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #10
A two-way tie.

10) Domestic Violence vs Sexual Assault; Is there a difference? Survivors sometimes struggle with deciding if they are a victim of domestic violence or of sexual assault. Sometimes the decision is easy. Other times the lines are blurred. This article helps shed light on the difference.

10) Author Thomas Edward on Voices of Hope. Another top author is welcomed to the internet radio airwaves. His book, Healing a Man's Heart is both inspirational and motivating.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #9
9) Sponsorships Provide Christian Books to Women's Shelters. From the moment a victim of domestic violence decides to leave being in a shelter is tough.Going through the legal process can be just as hard emotionally as shelter life. Having a copy of Does God Still Love Me can help a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault have more confidence. Church groups, youth groups and individuals can sponsor one copy or several (at special sponsorship pricing) that will be given to their local women's shelter.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #8
8) Recovery from Rape  This article outlines a general process for those who are recovering from rape or sexual assault. It covers family support, flashbacks and more.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #7
7) Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shoppers Raise $$$ for Charity. Links for affiliate programs that help keep Hope for Healing.Org online. These links are part of our ongoing fundraising efforts. None of the purchases from the links cost the buyer any more than they would normally pay. Check out the article for more information.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #6
6) Chattanooga, Kingsport and the Lincoln Memorial in D.C. This article chronicles some of the achievements  of the past year. Read it and be inspired. This article is proof that you can have a good life even after sexual assault.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #5
5) Books on Domestic Violence in the Parsonage. The placement of this article speaks for itself. That it placed so highly is an indicator of how much people are looking for this information. If you know a pastor's spouse feel free to refer them to the above link.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #4
4) James Landrith Rape Survivor and Activist on Voices of Hope. This isn't just one of our top blog articles but also one of our top segments of Voices of Hope. James was an interesting and lively show guest.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #3
3) About our Voices of Hope Guests. Voices of Hope is the internet based radio show that we began in 2009. It remains one of our most popular outreach tools. Guests have included advocates, experts, authors and abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #2
2) Christmas for a Strawberry Plains Family. A donor made it possible for a single mom with 4 children to have gifts for Christmas. The donor is an average person who wanted to help. The family had fallen through the cracks for other programs that were offered. The mom said that without this person's help the children would not have had a visit from Santa.

The Hope Blog Top Articles of 2009 #1
1) Channon Christian and Chris Newsom Murders; George Thomas Trial this tragedy involved the Knoxville, TN rapes, murders and carjacking of this young couple. George Thomas was the third person out of 5 to go on trial for his involvement. His part in the crimes earned him the sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole.

Share

Christmas for a Strawberry Plains Family

We were called to help make Christmas happen for a Strawberry Plains family. It's a single mom with 4 kids. The donor specified clothes with hygiene items and set an amount. (See our Facebook Fan page here.)

The children will receive the items in the photo. There is one outfit for each plus hygiene items, a pair of gloves and a hat for each. We were also able to get the stocking items you see pictured. It's not much but for these kids it's everything. (The blanket was already on the couch and not something given to the family.)

There's no way we could do what we do if it weren't for you. Many thanks to everyone who help us help others. May you each have a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

Share

Survivor Mark Douglass on Voices of Hope Blog Talk Radio

Tune in Tuesday, Dec. 15 @ 12 EST as we welcome Mark Douglass to Voices of Hope on Blog Talk Radio. Callers may phone in live during the show to 718.506.1545. Questions may be emailed in advance or during the show to voicesofhope@hopeforhealing.org.

Mark Douglass is an abuse survivor, speaker and the author of Flashbacks of Abuse: How a Machine Gun Toting Sociopath Freed Me From the Chains of My Childhood Abuse. He practiced law for 25 years in Minnesota and now devotes his time to speaking and writing about overcoming life's adversities.

Find out more about Mark Douglass by clicking the book link below and by visiting the website www.flashbacksofabuse.com.

Share

Speaking in Louisiana

Great news! We're talking to a group about having Gayle Crabtree come to speak in Louisiana. The date is to be determined but is projected to be early April after Easter. It looks like she will be the keynote speaker and doing a book signing. If you are near Springhill, LA and would be interested in attending be sure to let us know. More details will be on The Hope Blog as they become available.

Share

Books on Domestic Violence in the Parsonage

Domestic violence in the parsonage is an issue that church leaders are beginning to address. The good news is  that only a few pastors are abusers. Most genuinely want to stop the problem and heal families. We have free resources on our website that help pastors preach and teach about domestic violence. In this blog entry we are listing some books and online resources that may help victims of domestic violence in the church parsonage.

Online Articles:
Gayle Crabtree.Com
Terror in the Parsonage: MarriageMissions.Com
Focus Ministries Pastors' Wives Support
Religion News Blog Juanita Bynum

Books:





Do  you know of other resources on domestic violence in the church parsonage that may be available? Please email gayle@hopeforhealing.org or leave a message in the comments section below.

Share

James Landrith Rape Survivor and Activist on Voices of Hope

Special guest James Landrith joins us today on Voices of Hope at 12 Noon (EST). Be sure to join us and tell your friends as we look at the subject of male rape.

James Landrith is a publisher who knows what it is like to be a rape survivor. He is an activist and syndicated blogger, member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau. In 1997, he founded the Multiracial Activist. The organization has been cited in university courses around the globe and is often consulted by the media. Additionaly, his work and websites have been profiled or metioned in as many as 50 different manuals or books.

Learn more about James Landrith at the following sites:
http://www.twitter.com/jlandrith
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jlandrith
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=134400205
http://www.jameslandrith.com
http://www.multiracial.com
http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/


As with all of our Voices of Hope segments calls will be taken live on the air. Phone into 718.506.1545. Questions may be emailed in advance to voicesofhope@hopeforhealing.org. Free podcasts are available for download 20 minutes after the conclusion of the broadcast.


This is going to be an exiting show. We hope you will join us for Voices of Hope at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealing at 12Noon (EST)today.

Share

Laurie Smith on Voices of Hope 12/07/09

Join us tonight at 8PM (EST) on Voices of Hope as we welcome survivor, blogger and victim advocate Laurie Smith. Her testimony will move you and inspire you. She hosts her own show on Blog Talk Radio. Visit her at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-smith

To tune into Voices of Hope steer your favorite internet browser to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealing at 8PM EST. Calls will be taken live on the air. Phone into 718.506.1545 or email questions in advance to voicesofhope@hopeforhealing.org

Laurie Smith maintains 2 blogs and a You Tube site. Visit her blogs at:

Promote Positive Change for Human Rights Abuses

http://wwwyoutubecomlausmi52207.blogspot.com/

Not So Fond Memories,Growing up in an Abusive Home

http://lausmi52207mystory.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-story.html

YouTube channel devoted to human rights issues:

Stop Human Rights Abuses

http://www.youtube.com/lausmi52207

For updates on Voices of Hope with Laurie Smith and all of our Hope Happenings follow Gayle, our director and show host on Twitter. http//www.twitter.com/gaylesglimpses

See you online tonight at 8!


Share

Channon Christian Chris Newsom Murders and George Thomas Trial

The Channon Christian and Chris Newsom murders rocked Knoxville like no other crime has ever done. There are overtones of racism, sexism, poverty mindset and a list of destructed lives. Christmas season is normally a time of rejoicing and family gatherings. For the Christian and Newsom families the George Thomas trial is a chilling reminder of the brokenness of their families.

Two other men have been tried and found guilty for their part  in the Christian and Newsom rapes and murders. Neither Lemarcius Davidson nor Letalivis Cobbins will again spend Christmas with their families. Instead, they will be guests of the Tennessee Department of  Corrections for the rest of their lives. For crime victims, the comfort is small.

Monday, defense attorneys will argue for the acquittal of George Thomas for any part he played in rape and murder of Christian and Newsom. This is a standard move by defense attorneys. We hope that the move will be denied. One of the best presents that the families of Channon Christian and Chris Newsom could receive this Christmas is the gift of justice.

Will justice prevail? The families and the rest of Knoxville is waiting to find out.

Share

Chattanoga, Kingsport, the Lincoln Memorial in DC and Beyond

Who am I to give an invocation and speak at the Lincoln Memorial in DC on behalf of child victims of sexual assault? I am no one. And that, is exactly how God likes it.

When I was raped while living in Chattanooga, TN in 1995, I had no idea that God was going to bring healing  for myself and hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide or share Christ with 90,000 people annually. The internet opened doors of support that were nonexistent. The sexual assault center opened later. Finally I was able to receive training and develop a local peer network of support. My gratitude remains with the pastors, counselors and friends who were there to support my family during the crisis.

Thankfully, I have never been a victim of domestic violence myself. As I met more survivors, my work soon revealed a strong correlation between domestic violence and sexual assault. In every church that I have ever spoken, in every workshop that I have led, in every crowd or gathering there have been victims of sexual or domestic violence. Their experiences very much say "it happens here". Being able to share their stories in  Kingsport at the United Methodist Clergy Gathering helped others understand the impact of domestic violence in ways that I could not convey otherwise.

Speaking out is a beginning but there are many survivors who need to hear a message of hope. The most poignant stories of survival are from those who were victimized as children. They are stories that, to be heard, need your help and attention.

When Friends and Family Against Child Sexual Assault (FACSA) extended the invitation to participate at the Lincoln Memorial we humbly accepted the invitation. This moment was shared with 3 members of Hope Youth. Speaking to the "conscience of the nation" from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial changed lives. None of us who participated will look at the world the same way. The survivors who have heard about the rally have contacted us to tell us what it means to have the veil of shame lifted that they falsely wear. We are removing stigma and offering hope.

There is much work to be done. We hope that you will join in with us to:

Check the National Sex Offender Registry. Learn who lives near you.
Listen to and believe survivors of all ages.
Spread the word of healing to others.
Sponsor the book Does God Still Love Me for survivors in shelters.
Support the ministry with your prayers, presence, gifts and service.

Stand in the gap to believe and proclaim that hope and healing is possible. We do.

For more information:
gayle@hopeforhealing.org
Facebook Fan Page
Voices of Hope Internet Radio Show
The Hope Blog
Hope for Healing.Org
Follow Gayle on Twitter

Visit the eBay Auction given by a supporter.

Share

Sponsorships Provide Christian Books to Women's Shelters

As part of the virtual book signing we're accepting sponsorships so that copies of Does Still Love Me can be given to women in shelters. Special sponsorship pricing of $12 including shipping is being offered per book. We have a list of organizations that want the books but not enough sponsorships.

You can sponsor one book or several. There is no minimum or maximum number. If you can help fill this gap let us know by emailing us at gayle@hopeforhealing.org.

Share
|