Community

February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

It’s an important month! February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  SRDVC is partnering with Create Your Statement and together we are asking you to wear orange on Wednesdays throughout the month of February to raise awareness and show support for Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. By wearing orange, you will be helping us reduce the stigma of unhealthy relationships.

We know that youth as they are impacted by violence, abuse, and trauma. This shows up in their dating relationships. Engaging our youth in this work is an exciting and rewarding way to impact the future of Spokane.

During the month of February, SRDVC is having their first ever Meme Challenge! Youth are encouraged to submit an original meme of what love means to them. We will be choosing 3 winners! Check out our submission website for more details starting February 4th:

We have also partnered with the Spokane Regional Library District. You can find our blog regarding Teen Dating Violence Awareness : https://www.scld.org/helpful-information-awareness-prevention-during-teen-dating-violence-awareness-month/  Please feel free to share!

I also want to take this time to acknowledge our wonderful partner Jenny Moeller, Executive Director of Create Your Statement. Jenny has shared her knowledge regarding TDVAM and we are so grateful for all her help raising awareness for our youth. 

If you have any questions about how to support youth you can reach out to Ingrid Rivera at youthcoordinator@srdvc.org. If your agency has additional events or resources, please share so we can pass along to our great Coalition partners.

Welcome our new Program Coordinator Ophelia Araujo!

We would like to welcome our new Program Coordinator Ophelia Araujo! Ophelia has been instrumental to Create Your Statement over the years. She has served on the Board of Directors as Vice President for five years and has worked in the domestic violence industry for over 20 years. Her compassion for youth and expertise in dating abuse prevention will be a strong asset to Create Your Statement and help empower our community.

Ophelia Araujo is sure to make a statement!

Thank you Spokane Empire for TACKLING dating abuse!

Last Friday, Create Your Statement was honored to be the sponsored nonprofit of the night for the Spokane Empire game. There were approximately 3,500-4,000 people in attendance! We brought in just under $2,000 and plan on using the proceeds for new apparel. Thank you to all those who attended and showed their support. Great job tackling dating abuse!

We also had the opportunity to sit down with members of the Spokane Empire Football Team and the Spokane Empire Dance Team to discuss the problems around dating abuse and what we can do to put a stop to it. Check out the video below with our conversation! Each of these individuals are amazing role models for the youth in our community and we should all feel so lucky to have them represent our community!

Special thanks to…

The Spokane Empire
Karen Kiehl, Suzie Dunn, Hannah Holman, the Empire Football Team, and the Empire Dance Team.
Create Your Statement Volunteers
Heidi Lauritzen, Shelli Agost, Rose Anderson, Geri Bacheller, Dawn Funk, Sonja Birdsong, Vicki Moeller, Ophelia Araujo, Michelle DeSpain, Karilynn Cunningham, and Jason Wolther with Vision First Media.

Statement partners with Empire Football…Get your tickets today!

Empire
Statement

Create Your Statement is thrilled to partner with Empire Football! Please join us for a fun night out as we cheer on Spokane Empire while tackling dating abuse.

Statement is honored to be the sponsored nonprofit of the night!

Spokane Empire vs. Arizona Rattlers
Get your tickets today!

When: Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:00 pm

Where: Spokane Arena

Cost: $30.00 (includes lower level ticket and t-shirt; retail value $38.00)
A portion of the proceeds helps prevent teen dating abuse!

Please make check payable to:
Create Your Statement
PO Box 18934
Spokane, WA 99228

**Include t-shirt sizes with your check. Statement will contact you for delivery of tickets and t-shirts**

Deadline is April 20, 2017

Download event flyer here. If you have questions, please contact info@createyourstatement.com.

Wine, Cheese, Chocolate, and great volunteers!

We had a blast at our Wine, Cheese, & Chocolate event on January 26th. Thank you to everyone who turned out to help Create Your Statement kick-off a new year! As many of you know, Statement’s programs are gaining huge momentum and volunteers are an integral part of pushing our mission forward. Without them, Statement would not be where it is today.

Here are some photos from our evening of fun:

Happy Girls Run 2016: Thanks to all who ran their hearts out for Create Your Statement!

We are so appreciative of everyone who came out on September 23rd for the Happy Girls Run Spokane benefiting Create Your Statement. More than 1,000 Happy Girls joined us — we are inspired by each and every one of you!

Athleta’s Happy Girls Run brings together women of all levels of physical fitness and achievement for a race that is nothing short of life-changing for many runners. It’s life-changing for Statement too. Proceeds from the race benefit our programs to help combat dating abuse.

Not only did Happy Girls Run Half Marathon finishers support a great cause, they also received a beautiful piece of custom jewelry made locally by Mishakaudi and a Happy Girls Run T-shirt.

We’d also like to thank all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Also, we’d like to send a BIG thank you to our sponsors. Your help makes all the difference.

2016 Happy Girls Sponsors

Nelson’s Auto Body
Jeff Moeller
Moloney+O’Neill
RV Craig Construction
Spring Marie Hill (In Memory of)
Kay McGonigle (In Memory of)
Associates for Women’s Health
Farmgirlfit
URM Stores
Albertsons

Check out the photos from this awesome day!

Statement Wins 2016 AGORA Award

We are sincerely humbled after receiving the 2016 AGORA Award for Business Excellence in the Small Nonprofit category. What an honor to stand alongside so many other nonprofits who are doing some amazing work in our community.

So what exactly is an AGORA? In ancient Athens, Agora was the marketplace where merchants gathered to sell their goods. Over the past 30 years, more than 400 members of the regional business community have gathered to celebrate business excellence throughout the greater Spokane area. This is a chance for the public and our chamber, Greater Spokane Incorporated, to recognize each of the businesses and nonprofits for the important role they play in the community and for contributing to the region’s economic growth.

We attended the awards ceremony on June 1st, which took place at the beautiful Davenport Grand Hotel. This year’s awards had a 1930s theme and was titled “31-derful Years of Business Excellence.” There was a great turnout with many of the attendees all gussied up in fabulous clothing from the era. We had a blast!

Check out our video spotlight from the awards ceremony:

Here are some photos from the evening:

Thank you to our board, family, and friends for your support in our journey to combat dating abuse. Special thank you to Greater Spokane Incorporated for hosting this wonderful event!