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Domestic violence kills more than three women in the United States every day, often leaving children parentless in its aftermath.
In November 2007, Grace came dangerously close to becoming a statistic.
She was barely an adult – just 18 years old – when she met Patrick.
He wasn’t the love of her life. He was just better than what was going on in her home.
Grace needed a way to escape her father. Patrick’s offer to move in together seemed like her ticket to safety. Grace cared for Patrick. Maybe even loved him. She could overlook his lack of affection because she thought she was safe.
Eventually, Grace and Patrick married and started a family together. His physical abuse began with her first pregnancy.
Patrick made it clear that Grace was never to call the police. He told Grace that he wouldn’t stay in jail forever. And when he was released, he would kill her family. Patrick always carried his gun to make sure Grace knew he was serious.
Grace believed Patrick’s threats so she continued to endure his abuse for 10 years.
One evening while visiting friends, Patrick became upset and threw Grace into a wall. She was able to escape and make her way back home. Grace sought the help of The Julian Center to file a protective order barring Patrick from coming near her or the children. She quickly moved her children to another location.
One night, Grace locked up her home and put her three young daughters to bed. It wasn’t long before Patrick arrived and broke into the house. He put a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. He would later try to strangle her. Using a cigarette lighter, he set the house on fire. Patrick was determined to kill his family that night.
The police arrived and Grace and her children were able to escape to The Julian Center.
Grace has so many things to sort out. She is trying to understand what happened with her father. And, she is slowly recovering from the emotional trauma resulting from ten years of threats and abuse.
Her children will need counseling and support to recover from their experiences. Grace says her daughters were always afraid that “daddy would make mommy go away forever.” Their grades have suffered and her youngest daughter is acting out in anger.
Their short-term goals are very simple. Grace and her children want to wake up one day and feel better.
There is a part of Grace that is still very sad. But she gets up everyday and works to create a new life for herself and her children.
She lives in The Julian Center’s transitional housing program where her family participates in therapy. Grace is currently employed but hopes to find a better paying job that will help her save money for a new home. Every step of the way, the staff of The Julian Center will be by her side to offer support.
It is up to Grace to make a new life for herself. But while she is staying at The Julian Center, Grace will never have to feel alone. Someone will always be near to offer support and encouragement.
In 2007, approximately, 600 women and 600 children stayed at The Julian Center Shelter. Every dollar donated has made a difference in each of their lives. Thank you for supporting their efforts
The Julian
Center Receives Special Recognition
Indianapolis Monthly Magazine highlights The Julian Center
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In the October issue of Indianapolis Monthly Magazine, The Julian Center received special recognition as one of ten worthwhile nonprofits in Indy.
In the magazine’s special section entitled “How to Give Away One Million Dollars (and 7 things to know before you donate a dime),” The Julian Center is noted in “Charting the Charities.” Indianapolis Monthly states, “We crunched the numbers and asked around to find the groups that are as effective as they are generous.”
This article ranks The Julian Center with outstanding organizations such as the Christel House International, Simon Youth Foundation, The Indianapolis Foundation, and Gleaner’s Food Bank of Indiana. The Julian Center is truly honored and esteemed to be listed among a prestigious group of Indianapolis nonprofits.
Visit the following link to view the article online - http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/article.aspx?id=9652
Basic Needs
Recent Accounts of Victims in Need
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In 2007, The Julian Center provided safe shelter to 655 women and 554 children. Approximately 85% of our clients reported incomes well below the poverty guidelines. More and more, The Julian Center is working to meet our clients most basic needs while at the same time assisting with locating job training and placement services, transportation, and transitional or permanent housing.
This holiday season, The Julian Center’s Literacy/Tutoring Coordinator asked a young boy what he wanted for Christmas. His response was simply that he would like to have new underwear and a chair to sit on in his house.
Another wintry day, a Julian Center Outreach Advocate went to the apartment of a past client who has three young children under the age of 3. Upon arrival, the advocate noticed that the apartment
was bare without any furniture with mom and children sleeping on the floor. With the help of generous donors and staff, The Julian Center was able to provide her with beds, mattresses, blankets, couch, and lamps before the holidays.
One mother was even forced to keep her children home from school because they did not have shoes.
Many women and children come into shelter with simply the clothes on their backs. Advocates are continuously noticing a need for women’s undergarments. Many women may only have one or two pairs and may ask for more.
Please visit The Julian Center’s website for our current Wish List.
Pierce Jewelers
and The Julian Center is proud to
present: The
Starlight Ball
A Celebration Under the Stars -
Dedicated to Ending Domestic Violence
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The Starlight Ball is The Julian Center’s annual black-tie optional gala celebration. This event helps raise much needed funds for The Julian Center’s Crisis Programs such as emergency transportation, legal services, 24 hour crisis call line and crisis call desk, food, respite childcare, and other essential services. The evening is filled with fun, food, and great entertainment. It is attended by five hundred of the area’s business and civic leaders and is an excellent opportunity for recognition. It is also a way to invest in the community and to support victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault; all of whom desperately need your help as they work to rebuild their lives. Every dollar raised at this event underwrites The Julian Center’s Crisis Programs.
Individual tickets are available for $90 per person and $1,500 for a full table of eight. Individual tickets are limited so order your tickets by February 29 to secure your seat at The Starlight Ball. To order your tickets contact Molly Barrick at (317) 941-2220. You can also place your order online and learn more about the event by visiting The Julian Center’s event website at www.juliancenter.org/Events/starlightball.html.Title Sponsor
Pierce Jewelers
Gold Sponsor
Ingersoll Rand
Silver Sponsors
Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.
David & Jacqueline Simon Charitable Foundation
Duke Energy
Indianapolis Power & Light
National City Bank
Bronze Sponsors
Baker & Daniels
Barnes & Thornburg
Christel DeHaan Family Foundation
Citizen’s Gas
Clarian Health
Cliff & Janet Johnson
Crowe Chizek
DeLaney & DeLaney
Findling Garau Germano & Pennington
Tim Hornung
Ice Miller
Key Bank
Meyer Najem
ProLiance Energy
Roche Diagnostics Corporation
Sensory Technologies
Yvonne Shaheen
Table Sponsors
Anonymous
Biddle Precision Components
Borshoff
Browning Investments/Dennis Dye
Clarian North Medical Center
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Bruce Curry
Health & Hospital Corporation
Indianapolis Business Journal
Katz Sapper & Miller
Kroger Company
Langham Logistics
Lilly Endowment
Patrick A. Lockwood
Marion County Jail Commissary Trust
McFarling Foods
MultiGuard
Pacers Sports & Entertainment
Pennamped & Associates
Plews Shadley Rachert & Braun
The Precedent Companies
Simon Property Group
Wellpoint, Inc.
WISH-TV Channel 8
WTHR Channel 13
YourEncore
