DVS’s emergency shelter needs a NEW basketball hoop — and a ball or two. The current hoop is hopelessly bent, stringless, and, in the words of one of our shelter staff, “pathetic.”

With the weather getting warmer, and youthful energy needing to work out — and work outdoors — a new hoop and its fittings would be a great addition.

If you can provide us a hoop, or put us in touch with someone who might be willing to make a donation, please e-mail endabuse@dsvgnh.org or call Sue at 203.865.1957.

We’ll publish the results here. 

Two bills have been offered in the Connecticut General Assembly in support of funding to make it possible for member agencies of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence – of which DVS is one – to have professional staff on duty at emergency shelters 24/7. Currently, DVS staff members are physically present from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The most recent, Raised Bill 5836, introduced by Speaker James Amman, would appropriate funds for the Department of Social Services ”for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, for the purpose of making grants to domestic violence programs to provide on-site staffing at their emergency shelters twenty-four hours a day.” Hearings on the bill will be held by the Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 10 prior to, it is expected, review by the Appropriations Committee.  Please express your support of this bill, which will help assure the safety and peace of mind of our shelter residents, by contacting your legislators. 

Carol Pompano, community relations manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has been elected to the now 17-member board of directors of DVS.

Pompano has more than two decades of experience in community, public and media relations; special events planning and execution; and internal and external communications. Prior to joining Anthem in 1996, she worked in public relations for the Hospital of Saint Raphael, Saint Mary’s High School, and the American Red Cross – all in New Haven. Pompano holds a BS in psychology from the University of Bridgeport, MA in communications from Fairfield University, and MS in health care administration from the University of New Haven.

Adult Advocate.

Job description: Provide counseling and casework services to women in the battered women’s shelter. Offer crisis intervention and information/referral via the hotline. Supportive work environment. Full- and part-time positions available, all shifts. Competitive pay/excellent benefits.

Job requirements: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in human services field and one year of relevant experience required, preferably in a residential setting, including crisis intervention and counseling. Must have strong knowledge of community resources. Must have valid CT driver’s license and car. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. DVS will provide mandatory battered women’s counselor certification training.

Out-client Counselor/Support Group Facilitator.

Job description: Provide individual counseling for adult and older teen (16 and 17 year-old) victims of domestic violence. Co-facilitate support group for women. Competitive pay/excellent benefits.

Job requirements: Licensed MA in human services (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, LPC) and two years of experience, preferably in a domestic violence or women’s services agency, is required. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) ability is desirable. DVS will provide mandatory battered women’s counselor certification training. Part-time (32 hours/week), flexible schedule, groups meet in the evening.

To apply for either position, send your resume and cover letter to DVSGNH, PO
Box 1329, New Haven, CT 06505, fax to 203.562.9450, or e-mail to skoorejian@dvsgnh.org. NO PHONE CALLS.

On Thursday morning, September 27, 2007 the Greater New Haven Domestic Violence Task Force, of which DVS is a founding member, honored Sgt. Lisa Dadio of the New Haven Police Department for her years of dedicated service to the Department, the Task Force, and the community. 

Job Corps members (l to r) Eddie Cardoza, Cory Batiste, and Ashley Dubose with their instructor, James Bailey. 

The Task Force’s new Silent Witness exhibit of figures was unveiled. Each plywood figure – a man, a boy, a girl, a young woman and an elderly woman – represents domestic violence homicide victims in 2004 – a total of 26 individuals.  The exhibit was produced by students at New Haven Job Corps, three of whom attended the meeting at New Haven’s City Hall and briefly discussed how much the project meant to and affected them.  

Storied philanthropist, community leader, and entrepreneur Alice Hummel has joined the board of directors of Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven. In addition to her other accomplishments, Hummel has served on numerous boards, often for many years. These include the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Friends of Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital, Visiting Nurses of South Central Connecticut, and the Neighborhood Music School. Educated at Boston University, the University of New Haven and Yale’s Special Student Program, Hummel was licensed with the New York Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, and the Connecticut State Banking Commission. She is also a competitive Bridge player. Hummel lives in Cheshire, CT. 

Viviana Santana, assistant principal of Clemente Leaderhip Academy, has also joined the now 18-member DVS board. Santana began with the New Haven Public Schools in 1995 as a bilingual teacher and has held increasingly responsible positions since then. She holds a BA from Central Connecticut State University, an MA and 6^th year degree from Southern Connecticut State University.  Santana is active in several national education organizations and is a board member of Arte, Inc., a non-profit that promotes the visibility of the art and culture of Latin America in New Haven.  She lives in Hamden, CT.

The week of December 17, 2007 New Haven’s own Michael Bolton and a choir of 20 singers he selected from Greater New Haven competed on NBC’s live “Clash of the Choirs.” Each celebritity singer performed for a hometown charity and Bolton selected DVS was a beneficiery of the events. Bolton, through his Michael Bolton Charities, has long been a supporter of DVS — and other domestic violence programs throughout the country.