The news site of UNC Wilmington

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The news site of UNC Wilmington

The Seahawk

The news site of UNC Wilmington

The Seahawk

“Girls Like Us” author Rachel Lloyd speaking

Shelby Purvis | Staff Writer November 15, 2012

At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, an auditorium full of people braved pouring rain and chilly weather to attend a free lecture by anti-human trafficking advocate Rachel Lloyd. Lloyd is the author of "Girls...

UNCW’s Writers Week discusses “The Digital Age”

Lori Wilson | Contributing Writer November 14, 2012

During UNCW's Writers Week, creative writing students fought for seats, slugged against walls, shared chairs and hovered by the doors of Kenan Hall's lecture room, where they attentively scribbled notes...

“Angels in America” displays great student talent

Brandon Hill | Contributing Writer November 14, 2012

Prior Walter was an AIDS victim in the 1980s. He stood in front of his nurse and removed his clothes to reveal dark, scabbed-over lesions that covered his body. His only refuge, his dreams, have been invaded...

Groups gathered at the AFSP walk to remember loved ones who have passed.

Out of Darkness walk seeks to eliminate stigma of suicide

Brandon Hill | Contributing Writer November 4, 2012

 

Zach Wahls advocates for gay marriage

Tabitha Shiflett | Staff Writer November 4, 2012

Twenty-one year old University of Iowa student Zach Wahls was a typical college student when he delivered a speech at an Iowa public hearing seeking to ban gay marriage. However, he was catapulted to...

Not an easy “Flight”

Shelby Purvis Staff Writer November 3, 2012

Denzel Washington is one of the most acclaimed actors of our time--from his Academy Award-winning role in "Training Day" to his portrayal of a hardened bodyguard avenging the kidnapping of a little...

At the end of the play Celie, the lead female role of the musical, finally stands up for herself as she lashes out against her husband. The scene provides a turning point for the story as Celie begins to turn her life in a positive directon.

“The Color Purple” showcased in downtown Wilmington

Shannon McCabe | Contributing Writer October 26, 2012

At the end of the play Celie, the lead female role of the musical, finally stands up for herself as she lashes out against her husband. The scene provides a turning point for the story as Celie begins to turn her life in a positive directon.

Bubonik brings the funk

Katelyn Russell | Contributing Writer October 24, 2012

Bubonik Funk began about six years ago when four guys got together and found common ground through their love of music. Despite attending high school and college, the band has stayed together through...

Swift’s “Red” burns bright with maturity

Mary Childers | Contributing Writer October 24, 2012

For many, Taylor Swift's music is "bubble gum" country, but with the release of her fourth studio album, "Red," Swift has burst previous conceptions. At 22, Swift is a multi-platinum artist, and with...

Remembering Bill Friday– namesake of Friday Hall

Lori Wilson | Contributing Writer October 24, 2012

Forerunner of educational expansion, advocator of federal desegregation and pioneer in the establishment of affordable schooling, William "Bill" Friday, namesake of Friday Hall, is responsible for some...

UNCW’s first Bollywood film series comes to campus

Roxy Simons | Staff Writer October 24, 2012

Hollywood says Paris is for lovers, but Bollywood capitalized on that title from it's inauguration. Known for fantastical plots that dramatize Hindu love affairs, Bollywood cinema is coming to UNCW for...

Wilmington organization aims to help victims of domestic violence

Christina Hardin | Contributing Writer October 19, 2012

Victims of domestic violence in the Wilmington area have been finding solace in Domestic Violence Shelter and Services Inc. for the past 26 years.

When you step into the main office, you see that it is not a conventional office setting. They have taken an old house and remolded it to fit their needs as an office space.
 
The office is open to walk-ins during regular hours of operation. 
 
"If someone calls and needs help after business hours, the call is sent to the rape crisis line," said Bonnie Iler, director of services and outreach. "From there a staff member who is on call is contacted."
 
Iler said every situation is unique and each victim has different needs. 
 
"Someone may come in and say that they need a plane ticket to Alaska," said Iler. "We just make sure they have support waiting for them wherever they decide to go. We talk about options and safety. This is the outlet to figure out what's best for the situation."
 
The shelter can hold up to 19 people and is available to women and children. However, if the shelter is full, there is always somewhere for a victim to go. 
 
"Some victims may not be ready to leave their abuser," said Iler. "We can do things like give them a cell phone that they can hide and use anytime they need."
 
The organization works with other counties in the state and will transfer victims to other shelters if need be. 
 
"The average stay in the shelter is about 6 weeks," said Iler.
 
During a stay at the shelter, the residents make goals. These plans can include things like getting a job and figuring out what the next move will be, where to go next.
 
While the women are staying in the shelter, they are required to go an empowerment support group run by the organization. The group meets on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m. Child care is provided during the Tuesday evening sessions. These groups are also offered to families that are impacted by domestic violence.
 
Iler also pointed out that it is important for staff to be around the residential areas at all times.
 
"Victims get used to the chaos of abuse and sometimes don't know how to live in a situation that isn't chaotic," said Iler. 
 
The organization runs three thrift stores called Vintage Values. They are located at 609 Castle St., 413 South College Rd., and 5226 South College Rd. The Castle St. location is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the other two are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 
 
The idea for Vintage Values was born when Mary Ann Lama, executive director of the shelter, put out a call to the community. She asked for clothing donations for the women and children staying in the shelter.
 
"Sometimes victims have to leave so quickly that they can't really bring anything with them," said Iler. "Mary Ann was just asking for some donations, and the response blew her away. People were bringing so much stuff that we realized we could open a thrift shop."
 
The stores are staffed with 8-10 paid part-time and full-time staff members. The rest of the workers are volunteers. There is usually an average of 20 volunteers per month.
 
So far this year, volunteers have logged over 11,000 hours with a monthly average of 1,000 hours. 
 
Ken Morris, a retired US Coast Guard captain and Wilmington resident, has been volunteering for the organization since 2006. He was inspired to work in domestic violence aid when a co-worker's daughter was killed by her husband in a domestic dispute, after which the murderer took his own life.
 
"I asked myself how can I make something good come out of that," said Morris. "That's when I started volunteering, and I've been doing it ever since." 
 
Most of Morris' service work consists of transporting stock between the different Vintage Values locations and moving furniture to and from the shelter.
 
October is domestic violence awareness month. Every year Dianne Lomax, director of operations and development, organizes an event called Take Back the Night.
 
Take Back the Night is held in front of the Alton Lennon Federal Building on Water St. in downtown Wilmington. 
 
"This is an opportunity for victims, survivors and loved ones to march in unity against domestic violence," said Lomax. "This is just one of the many events that we will be having in October. We also hold law enforcement training, an all-star basketball tournament and Civil Workplace Summit, all of which can be found on our website."
 
The office, located at 2901 Market St., is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Victims of domestic violence, friends and family are welcome to visit during those times.
 
To learn more visit their website at www.domesticviolence-wilm.org 

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