SHELTER NEEDS
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Winter coats
- Fall decorations and pumpkins (real or fake for crafting)
- Deodorant (men’s and women’s)
- AA / AAA batteries
- Children’s costumes
- Notebooks, journals, and planners (without a specified year)
- Flushable baby wipes
- General cleaning supplies
- Hand sanitizer (not homemade)
- Mops (with the strings)
- Push broom / dust mop
- Swiffer WetJet refills (cleaning solution and mop pads)
All donations are tax-deductible and can be dropped off at any one of our three locations in Berkeley, Jefferson, or Morgan County!
OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the country. Many domestic violence programs across the country celebrate this month by organizing events to observe and increase awareness of domestic violence. While COVID-19 has limited the capacity for many programs to host in- person events, EPEC has been doing its’ best to create awareness in our community while also staying safe. Berkeley County will host it’ s annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Block Party on October 24. The event will be modified to adhere to social distancing guidelines and adopt a ” drive- thru” style while still providing resources and education on domestic violence.
Over in Morgan County, advocates coordinated an art exhibit with the help of photographer, Mark Schwenk. The project is called Portraits of Empowerment, a vision of Morgan County Advocate, Rose Jackson. The subjects in the portraits (some of EPEC’s very own staff) selected a word that empowers them and personally defined it. The exhibit will be on display at The Ice House (Berkeley Springs, WV) for the entire month of October and the proceeds raised will be used in EPEC’ s endeavor to acquire a new shelter.
See some sneak peeks from the Portraits of Empowerment exhibit and opening night below.
Pictured: Katie Spriggs, Executive Director; Nicole Roehm, Morgan Co. Victim Advocate; Vivian Baylor, Program Manager; Rose Jackson, Morgan Co. Victim Advocate; Trey Goldizen, Morgan Co. Domestic Violence Specialist
SERVICE UPDATES AMID COVID-19
Are outreach offices open?
Yes, all outreach offices are open and operating within social distancing guidelines.
Are you taking donations?
Yes, please call ahead to make an appointment so we are able to stagger donation appointments. We are taking all donations at this time, but cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and paper products are needed the most. Also see the shelter needs list at the top of the page.
What precautions are you taking in outreach offices?
We are adhering to social distancing guidelines of keeping 6 feet apart. Masks are required upon entry into any outreach office. We are also doing our best to schedule appointments as to not have an excess of people in each building at one time.
Are you providing peer support group services?
Yes, we are providing peer support groups, facilitated by two trained advocates, every other week on Thursdays from 5pm – 6:30pm via Zoom. Call one of the offices if you’re interested in the Zoom call information (see attached flyer for additional schedule). We are also providing anonymous support by way of our HelpRoom every Monday at 6pm and Wednesday at 2pm. The HelpRoom is an anonymous chat service that you can log into to talk to trained advocates/facilitators from EPEC and connect with other survivors. You are not required to receive other services or live in the panhandle service area to participate. Follow our Facebook page for any schedule changes.
Are advocates still providing court advocacy?
Yes, however each county’s courthouse is operating under slightly different parameters. Please call the appropriate outreach office and an advocate can assist you.
Are counseling appointments still available?
Yes. We are offering both in-person (socially distanced/masks required) and remote appointments (telehealth). Call the appropriate outreach office to schedule an appointment or intake.
Can you still provide immediate needs (food, water, clothing)?
Yes, call the appropriate outreach office or our Helpline 24 hours a day if you need assistance with immediate needs or safety planning.
Any questions you have that we didn’t address here? Give us a call!
UPDATES
EPECtalk
Every Friday from October 2 – November 13 @ 11:30am
EPECtalk, inspired by the famous TEDTalk, is a new Facebook Live series where staff members will be educating through tough conversations. Grab your lunch, and plug in your headphones every Friday at 11:30 AM!
HelpRoom
Every Monday @ 6 pm and Wednesday @ 2 pm
HelpRoom is a group chat service that allows survivors of interpersonal (domestic & sexual) violence to support one another in a safe online environment. This service is provided by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) and Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center (EPEC). HelpRoom is completely confidential and free to all participants. Each session will be facilitated by a trained advocate.
Virtual Peer Support Group
Every other Thursday @ 5 – 6:30 pm
EPEC is offering a virtual support group. They will be facilitated by EPEC’s trained advocates in the same format as Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties’ in-person groups. Virtual support groups will be provided in place of in-person groups until further notice. Call us for the link and password, as well as to answer any questions regarding how to use Zoom.
EPEC’s 6th annual Block Party – October 24
Join us at War Memorial Park, Fulk Pavilion (Martinsburg, WV) for a socially distant awareness community event. This will be EPEC’s 6th annual Block Party in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and due to COVID-19,will look a little different from past years. Call us at 304. 263. 8522 for any questions.
Hot Sauce and Hot Topics Weekly Podcast
Inviting you to take a seat in the heat, our Community Coordinator, Mary “MK” Francisco is producing a weekly podcast focusing on healthy masculinity. Each week will feature a new guest and hot sauce for them to try. Subscribe on Audioboom or Spotify.