Given Mary Kern was sick, Mark Nichols, President Elect led the meeting today.
Paul Kerrissey lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
I missed a few others of us with regards to the invocation and the song.  Sorry.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Jeff Tucker:  Death by Chocolate, need auction items, restaurant gift certificates, etc.  If you know of a restaurant who still wants to be presented at event, have them see Jeff asap. This year at the Post 440 on California St.  Marketing is starting now and stressing location change.
Will need volunteers.  Let Jeff know if you can help.  Go to judgechocolate.com  now have 11 vendors.  like to see 13-15 vendors.
Jan 26 from 12-4.

Tom Keery:  Newton Has Talent update:  We have secured a premier sponsor... The Village Bank!!
Marie is helping in sponsors (Paul Squared is on sponsorship committee)

Mark gave a funny joke.  Tom gave rebuttal joke.  Then he introduced our guests:
Rachael Portnoy from Newton South High School is our Newton Rotary Student of the Month!  She was there with Jim Medeiros,  her guidance counselor from Newton South High School, her parents (Deborah and Jay), her brother Noah, and her grandparents (Shirley and Marvin).
Rachael and her grandparents

This is Rachael Portnoy with her grandparents, Shirley and Marvin.

Sarah Perry, Executive Director of Second Step

Jeff Tucker's raffle ticket was picked. King clubs was picked.  Too bad Jeff... :)

HAPPY DOLLARS:
Bill Lowry, Village Bank, Rachael, Patriots
Stella, Rachael, speaker - Sarah
Sue:  son Leo, turned 22, took him rock climbing on Sunday, last semester
Sarah:  Rachael, for Rotarians, 3 children one who had bar mitzvah, went , survivors by 2nd step who inspire her every day.
Rachael's dad:  Rachael, Mr. Mideros her counselor, for family
Indira:  $5 because she is a survivor of domestic violence
Tony:  thank you to Marie,Susanne, Dick, and Indira who are volunteering at the Martin Luther King Day, kids will be singing
Stella introduced Jim Mideros, the counselor.  Rachael's guidance counselor.  She has been doing a lot of community service for 4 years.  Many do it to fulfill an obligation but Rachael does it because she has a heart of gold and its a genuine commitment to community service.  Honor roll every term at Newton South High School.

Rachael Portnoy spoke to the group: Thanked everyone for recognizing her.  She is involved in Festival singers, Peer tutor a freshman in Spanish, started charity called Friends in Needs (school supplies coats and mittens).  Congrats Rachael!

David, announced that the board voted and granted a 16 year old (a past boys and girls club member) with a $300 of Girls and Boys Club funds to help her go to Italy with her class.  This is part of the Boys and Girls Club grants that they'll receive this year.

Sarah Perry, Second Step has been around for 21 years.
250 children and over 100 adults each year.  Victims of domestic violence.   2 houses that are transitional houses.  up to 30 families per year.  5 babies just born in last 3 weeks.

She has been a Director since June, 2013.  Still a rookie, Bus and Public Administration.  Worked at McKenzie & Co for many years.  Corp world and entrepreneurial.  Missions of non profit is her heart.  She works with all level of abuse.  not just physical.  but control and domination.  Usually domestic violence with intimate relationships.  Not emergency shelter.  Up to 2 years.   Services include, healthcare, case management, help for children, job training, find permanent housing, support services & group.  Effects 1 in 4 families.  Its societal.  Providing awareness, prevention.
How do you get your referrals?  usually from emergency shelters.  over 1 year long.

Referrals to community programs come from all over.  63 organizations in the state focused on domestic violence.  Cases these days are much more complex than in the past.  Partner with Riverside and other partner organizations.  Families First with Parenting classes.  $2M agency
60% used to come from government agencies (city, govt).  Now its about 45%, 55% from private sources (individuals, organizations, etc.)
Teen Dating Violence is a big issue.  The mom of the Wayland girl who was murdered by her boyfriend has been helping the organization.  What is a healthy relationship?
Elder abuse is another trend.  Poor health,  dementia, etc. contribute to the elders getting abused and it happens sometimes.
One grant is from office of Violence... able to look at outcomes and see that the people moved (better credit, income, permanent housing).
Staff?  20 full time staff.  most work in the houses and children's programs.
Earned Income. Used to work at Share our strength (generates all of its revenue from its own sources).
Its the only homeless shelter in Newton.

Is domestic violence increasing?  there is more awareness.  Police are more aware and will act now where as they wouldn't act in the past.  US has a smaller percent vs. other countries.  Homicides have gone down.  Resources are just not enough.

Mark adjoined at 1:30PM.

Sarah Perry from Second Step

President Elec, Mark Nichols, with Sarah Perry Executive Director of Second Step.

Racheal Student of the month

President Elect Mark Nichols, with Rachael Portnoy, Jim Medeiros, and Rachael's parents and brother.

Submitted by Marie Presti.

 
 
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