Domestic+Violence+Shelter+Project

Brainstorm the kinds of community service projects children can do (get beyond collecting money--go for spectacular--it is really worth the extra work) and how you might connect these projects to the curriculum. For example, we had a lot of math going on when we adapted our picture of a quilt to the actual bed sizes.

This semester (Spring 2010) we decided we wanted to do a community-based project. While we considered several options, the one that appealed most to us was adopting a room in Mansfield's domestic violence shelter. Adopting a bedroom means painting the walls, putting in new furniture, and decorating. Here are various activities we have done in relation to this project.

Shelter Day, April 30, 2010. So many people pitched in and helped.

Before: After: Result: priceless

Shelter Day pictures, as well as pictures from Saturday May 1 when Jess and her mom finished up for us. With great relief, Katey finished sewing the twin bed quilt. We had to do some improvising on this one because we didn't have the green strips that had outlined the other quilts. We have learned that improvisation can lead to even better results than original ideas! Just some of the people who took part in shelter day 4/30/10. The new lamps make the room look cozy. Those are the curtains we made as well as the large chest of drawers. Here is the mirror, installed. You can see the bedside table we got along with one of the lamps.

The smaller chest of drawers went into the closet. We significantly increased the storage in this room along with making it more beautiful.

Activities during class time. We were honored with a visit by Capital's President, Dr. Bowman, however, we were so excited to interact with him that we forgot to take pictures! We showed him all we were working on for the shelter as well as the furniture his financial support allowed us to get.



Mirror and Shelf The mirror is designed to be supportive of women who are likely to have low self-esteem.

Display at Schneider Lounge We participated with a display in the trade justice evening. The shelter loaned us its display, which includes t-shirts shelter clients have designed to share their thoughts and feelings. Some of these shirts were really moving. Here are pictures from that event. The purpose of our participation was to raise awareness about our project on campus. [|www.thedvshelter.com]

As we first considered this project, we made a list of ideas of what we could do. Here is that list. Ideas: -Matching quilts -Dream Flags -Quilt batting $6.79 @ Kmart -Tie Dye Sheets-Walmart sheets -Shelves/Storage on walls -Mirror-Walmart -Inspirational quote painted on wall -"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -Henry David Thoreau -mattress covers -donations (deodorant, etc.) We can collect from all of Capital.

Here is our to do list for getting started as well as an initial budget based on a 10 dollar donation from each person involved. To Do List: -Quilt (3; 1 twin, 1 full, 1 baby) -Tie Dye (Monday) -Collect money ($10 Monday) -Curtains -Buy: curtain rod, quilt batting, 2 lamps, mattress covers, quilt batting, room paint, mirror, rug? -Full length mirror with frame to paint/decorate

Rug?: Braided Rag Rug pattern: []

Budget: About $10 per person. $150.00

Visit to the shelter Tobie and a couple of students were able to visit the shelter to see our room. The rest of us were in class, working on plans and so forth. Thanks to modern technology, we were able to receive pictures from the shelter visit via cell phone camera and email (we were going to use skype and have a live interaction but the shelter had no internet). Anyway, here is what the room currently looks like.





Progress on our project We have been designing quilts, getting started sewing them, crocheting rag rugs, tie dying sheets, painting a mirror, and so forth. Here are the pictures of the project in process.

Here is Dr. Bowman's response to Katey's email (which is quoted below Dr. Bowman's email): Hi Katey,

Thanks for your message.

The President's Office would like to contribute $400 to your important effort. Please email Ms. Nona McGuire, copied above, and she can work with you to arrange the transfer of funds.

Please let me know how your Education 214 class project goes!

Respectfully, Denvy Bowman - Hide quoted text -

On Apr 12, 2010, at 7:44 PM, "Kathryn L. Narcross"  wrote:

Hello Dr. Bowman!

My name is Katey, and I am writing to you on the behalf of Tobie Sanders and Carolyn Osborne's Education 214 class. Within the past couple weeks our class has begun the endeavor on a pretty big project. We are adopting a room in the Mansfield Domestic Violence Shelter. It is a private non-profit organization that opened its doors in 1979 as one of the first three domestic violence shelters in the State of Ohio. [For more information see www.thedvshelter.com] By adopting a room at the shelter we will basically be redecorating it and making in a warm and inviting place for women and their families who are victims of domestic violence. We are working on getting donations from local and various hometown businesses and also coming up with some fundraising techniques as well.

What we were wondering is if the university or your office has any financial support that they could offer to help our class make this room the best we possibly can. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send me, Tobie, or Carolyn and email, and if it is at all possible for the support to be granted we and the women at the Mansfield Domestic Violence Shelter would be very much appreciative.

Thank you so much for your time,

Katey Narcross Greek Council VP of Administrations Chi Theta Pi Sorority, Junior New Member Educator Up 'til Dawn Exec Board, Morale Chairperson Early Childhood and Intervention Education, Class of 2012

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

- Matthew 7:7-8