Powerful, traumatic stories of teenage drugs, pregnancies, juvenile prison time, poverty — by eight young people in Southern AZ are edited by Susan Lulic Enholm of Tucson. The eight (Carlos, Christina, DeAnne, Jarid, Marquis, Megan, Melissa, Nicole) are all now adults, and in their own words honestly related how they grew up with mostly unwed or divorced parents, in poverty, in dysfunctional families where some of their parents used drugs. And these eight separately got involved with inappropriate peer groups/gangs, drugs, sex at early ages. And several had babies as teenagers.

The stories are heartbreaking (especially ones about sexual abuse) but realistic. And all of these young people eventually drop out of high school due to failing grades & performance, inability to study or control their impulses. None of these eight young people had good role models to follow, and several of them witnessed domestic violence or suffered from child abuse.

In Melissa’s own words:
“Probation was a turning point, obviously. Hang in there. Don’t drop out. Life is too important to leave your education behind. You can’t get anywhere without an education. You’ll probably regret it. I know I did. I regretted it a long time.I think if you have a drug problem, talk to someone about it. I think you’ll know if you have a problem because you just feel it. You have this aching where you have to get higher and higher. Get help right away.” (page 89)

These stories are in sharp contrast to young people who grow up in a privileged world of middle or upper class wealth – with intact, loving parents, no drugs, no teen sex, college bound expectations, but later may become people who also face adversity through bad marriage or career choices, infertility, and depression.

The book is a worthy attempt to reach out to teens who are going through similar circumstances, and who may need to hear how other young people “turned their lives around”. Some of them specifically related what their lowest point in life was and what caused them to change, and escape the chaotic world they were in.

Although the editor is not in contact with these authors anymore, one hopes that they have found better lives, and may be able to change the lives of their own children and break the cycles of poverty, crime, child abuse.

This book portrays horror but inspires hope.

Contact the editor Susan Enholm at susanenholm@comcast.net for information on how to purchase her book, which sells at $12.95, published by City Girl Press, www.citygirlpress.com. It’s in e-Book and softcover.

Exhibition and Events – no charge
Saturday, January 19th, 2 pm – 5 pm
Sunday, January 20th and Monday, January 21st (MLK Day), 10 am – 5 pm
Tuesday, January 22nd, 10 am – 4 pm

University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center – Tucson and Catalina Rooms (upstairs)

We, the youth of SGI-USA, the Soka Gakkai International organization in Tucson, in partnership with Buddhists for Peace student club at the University of Arizona, are presenting the “Victory Over Violence” Exhibition at the University of Arizona Student Memorial Union (upstairs) on January 19-22, 2013.

Victory Over Violence (VOV) is a movement to help inspire young people throughout the world to identify and root out violence in their daily lives and in their communities.

VOV is inspired by universal principles of nonviolence and respect for all living beings. Its goal is to contribute to a culture of peace through awareness, introspection, individual empowerment and a courageous and creative commitment to dialogue. It encourages respect, trust, and friendship among young people, families, schools and communities across boundaries such as race, religion, and culture.

The VOV movement begins with you. Starting on the personal level, we will collectively build a culture of peace worldwide.

Join us at this event and launch your
personal peace movement today!

Keynote Speaker
Saturday, January 19 2:15pm

Dr. Richard Ruiz – Department Head, Professor, Department of Learning and Sociocultural Studies, the University of Arizona
“Creating a Language of Peace and Reconciliation in the United States”

Special Guest Speakers
Sunday, January 20 10:00am

Dr. Sheri Bauman, Director, UofA Counseling & Mental Health Graduate Program
“What can we do to Stop Bullying and Cyberbullying?”

Sunday, January 20 1:00pm

Mitzi Sasse, Yoga & Qi Gong Instructor
“Qi Gong, A Practice to Reduce the Accumulation of
Negative Emotions and Recharge the Meridian Channels”

Sunday, January 20 2:00pm

Linda Kohanov – Founder/Director of the EponaQuest International Study Center, author of “The Power of the Herd” – a guide to non-predatory leadership.
“Emotional Heroism: The Power behind Nonviolence”

Monday, January 21 11:00am (MLK Day)

Anna Harper, MSW, LMSW – Director of Program and Community Development at Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.
“The Impact of Domestic Abuse – Working Toward Community Accountability”

Monday, January 21 1:00pm

Sarah Bahnson & Paco Velez, Wingspan, Advocate/Educators
“LGBT 101”

Monday, January 21 2:00pm

Dr. Stephen T. Russell – Distinguished Professor, University of Arizona; Director, Frances McClelland Institute for Children, Youth, and Families; President, Society for Research on Adolescence
“The Silence around Violence: Prejudice, Discrimination and Bullying and What We Can Do about Them”

Monday, January 21 3:30pm

Dr. Patrisia Gonzales, UA American Indian Studies, Mexican American Studies
“Indigenous Medicine and Oneness of Self and the Environment”

Tuesday, January 22 11:00am

Dr. Ofelia Zepeda – Tohono O’odham poet; Professor of linguistics, University of Arizona
“Understanding the Power of Words”

Tuesday, January 22 12:30pm

Meghan McKendry, UA Oasis, Student Health, Prevention Specialist
“Combating Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence at the UofA”

No Charge for the Event. Free Parking Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Come Early – Seating is limited

Further information: Call 520-323-8184, SGI Community Center
2540 E. 22nd Street, Tucson 85713

Website: www.VOVTucson.com

Emerge! 2012 Mother’s Day Luncheon

Emerge! serves mothers who would go to the end of the earth to protect their children. Each year we choose one mother, a mother who has displayed exceptional courage and strength. At our Mother’s Day Luncheon we tell her story, and celebrate her bravery.

Award winning editorial cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star David Fitzsimmons will be our Emcee and is offering caricatures before the event for $25 each. All proceeds will benefit Emerge!

We need you to help us celebrate!

Save the Date! 11th Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon

Thursday, May 10, 2012, 11:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Auction begins at: 10:00 a.m.
Westin La Paloma Resort
3800 E. Sunrise Drive

Single tickets $75 each (click online here to purchase). Or call 520-795-8001 ext 7013.

For a sneak preview of the terrific auction/raffle items (click here). I’m keeping my eye on the Hand Sewn Elvis “Blue Hawaii” Quilt by Cactus Quilters Comfort Quilt Group.

Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse provides domestic abuse crisis intervention and housing, prevention and education, and support and advocacy services to women and children. Emerge! is the largest domestic abuse shelter and provider of domestic abuse prevention and abuse programs in Southern Arizona.

We’re here to answer your questions. 24-Hour Bilingual Crisis Line and Shelter

(520) 795-4266
(888) 428-0101 Toll-free
(520) 795-3177 TTY

Enjoy drawings & jokes by the talented Fitz, participating in the auction & luncheon at the lovely setting at the Westin La Paloma in the Catalina Foothills. But most of all please support the necessary work done by Emerge! to assist domestic violence victims in Southern Arizona.

And Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers next Sunday May 13, 2012.

Our slogan back then was “zero tolerance for domestic violence.” I was a staff attorney for an Americorps domestic violence victims project in Hawaii, where I set up a safe haven at a YWCA for parents in conflict to drop off their children safely for visitation with the other ex-partner/ex-spouse. Then I served as a DV Commissioner for a few years, and later as Interim Director of the Domestic Violence Commission here in Tucson, which is unfortunately no longer in operation. We spent a great deal of time trying to educate the public about the cycle of domestic violence, and how to seek help for victims in DV situations.

Domestic violence should not occur in our society, but it still does, and often leads to lethal consequences including homicide and suicide.

Our society has improved over the years with more women speaking out against verbal abuse & violence in their homes — but more needs to be done. Any violence in a domestic/family situation should not be tolerated, especially child abuse in any form.

2 term LD 29 Rep. Daniel Patterson had been accused before by his ex-wife of domestic abuse, and now he faces new allegations by his current girlfriend. The legal process will take its course with the Order of Protection, the police and any prosecutors, and with an ethics investigation in the AZ State House. Numerous calls for his resignation from public office have been made by Democratic officials, fellow legislators, community members, the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV).

From ACADV website:

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that includes the use or threat of violence and intimidation for the purpose of gaining power and control over another person. Violence is characterized by: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Economic Abuse, Isolation, Emotional Abuse, Control, or Verbal Abuse.

Whatever the outcome with Rep. Patterson, a lot more attention has been paid to a very important problem in our society — when people resort to violence to resolve their conflicts. Instead of peacefully discussing their differences and problems, some use physical, verbal, & psychological abuse against another human being. This is not acceptable in the 21st century.

More information on domestic violence: National Coalition against Domestic Violence, toll free 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7 hours/day.

In Tucson: Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse (click here for recent blog by It’s Never too Late to Care.)

Domestic violence in any form should not be tolerated.

Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse provides domestic abuse crisis intervention and housing, prevention and education, and support and advocacy services to women and children. Emerge! is the largest domestic abuse shelter and provider of domestic abuse prevention and abuse programs in Southern Arizona.
24-Hour Bilingual Crisis Line and Shelter:
(520) 795-4266
(888) 428-0101 Toll-free

Pima County Board of Supervisors just voted yesterday to allocate $100,000 from their Contingency fund to keep Emerge! operating. Since October is DV Awareness month and this is the only emergency shelter left in Tucson for victims of DV (mostly women & children), please help if you can as well.

Website: http://www.emergecenter.org/

As the former Interim Director of the DV Commission (before it went bankrupt due to unpaid federal payroll taxes by the previous Executive Director) and a former practicing attorney for an Americorps DV Victims Project, I would like to emphasize the importance of education & prevention & intervention in DV situations. I still remember a case I had back in Hawaii where I and another woman attorney were representing a young wife, who had been brutally hit on the head by her husband with a metal bucket. Right in front of us, as we were talking with her, their 2 year old son picked up a toy bucket and hit it on the head of another child. It was disturbing to see this abusive, copying behavior learned at a very young age.

List of activities for DV Awareness month from Emerge’s website:

http://www.emergecenter.org/about-us/domestic-violence-awareness-month/

October 3-6: Clothesline Project at University of Arizona Mall. Anyone (not limited to UA students) can participate in this activity by designing a t-shirt depicting the impact domestic abuse has had on them, their family, and/or their community.

October 8: Binational Health Fair presented by the Mexican Consulate (9am-2pm- El Pueblo Community Center, Room 1A)

October 10-12: Purple Flag Display (UA Mall, ongoing). Oasis Health Services at the University of Arizona will display 1 flag for each domestic abuse-related death in the last year. This is a time of memorial and observance of those who have lost their lives to domestic abuse.

October 12th: Candlelight Vigil at San Xavier District (4pm-7pm- San Xavier District Conference Room). This is an informational fair to be followed by a candlelight vigil.

October 13th: 10th Annual Community Celebration and Crime Prevention Fair, presented by the 29th Street Coalition (5:30pm-7:30pm- Freedom Park, 5000 E. 29th Street). This annual event brings together nonprofit, government, business and community organizations to provide fun and activities! Fun for all ages – email annual29thcelebration@yahoo.com for more information.

October 14th: Tucson Meet Yourself (11am-5pm, Outside Pima County Administration Building). Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be providing information to Tucson Meet Yourself attendees and will have fun activities for children. Stop by our tables!

October 15th: Delta Chi Lambda Basketball Tournament (9am-3pm, Bear Down Gymnasium). Delta Chi Lambda is sponsoring a basketball tournament, and all proceeds will benefit Emerge!.

October 15th: Tucson Meet Yourself (10am-5pm, Outside Pima County Administration Building). Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be providing information to Tucson Meet Yourself attendees and will have fun activities for children. Stop by our tables!

October 15th: heART Show (11am-4pm, Offices of Dr. Carol McGonigle- 1802 E. Prince Road). A local art show/sale to benefit Emerge!, Featuring art from past Emerge! participants, children in Emerge! programs, and local artists who are donating their time/artwork.

October 15th: Tucson Pride (10am-8pm, Kino Sports Complex). Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be present to provide fun games for children and tons of information for adults.

October 16th: Tucson Meet Yourself (11am-4pm, Outside Pima County Administration Building). Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be providing information to Tucson Meet Yourself attendees and will have fun activities for children. Stop by our tables!

October 17th-19th: Clothesline Project at University of Arizona Mall. Anyone (not limited to UA students) can participate in this activity by designing a t-shirt depicting the impact domestic abuse has had on them, their family, and/or their community.

October 22nd: Show @ Eclipse Bar (9pm-11:30pm- 1601 North Oracle Rd). A local performance artist and volunteer artists will participate in a show to benefit Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Must be 21+ to enter.

October 29th: Marana Founder’s Day Festival (9am-4pm, Ora Mar Harn Park)- Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be present with information for adults, fun and games for children. Family friendly event- great for all ages!

October 30th: Marana Founder’s Day Festival (10am-4pm, Ora Mar Harn Park)- Emerge! and the Pima County Attorney’s Office will be present with information for adults, fun and games for children. Family friendly event- great for all ages!

movie poster

“Telling Amy’s Story” will be shown on Thursday October 21, 7 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd, in the Heritage Center room.

This Penn State Public Broadcasting film relates the timeline leading to a domestic violence (DV) homicide of Amy McGee by her husband Vincent that occurred on November 8, 2001, in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Amy’s coworkers did not suspect the abuse she was living with and she was killed at home.

Sponsored by Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse and Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month (October).

“In April 2008, two outstanding and respected organizations – Brewster Center Domestic Violence Services (founded in 1963) and Tucson Centers for Women and Children (established in 1975) – came together to form Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse. Emerge!, the largest domestic abuse shelter and provider of domestic abuse prevention services and programs in Southern Arizona, includes:

* Two emergency shelters
* Two housing programs
* Two outreach and advocacy centers
* An accredited community-based childcare center that is open to the public
* Prevention, education, and volunteer programs”. (from the Emerge! website)

DV is a serious crime and occurs much too often even here in Pima County. I’ve worked as a staff attorney for an Americorps D.V. Victims’ Advocacy project and was also the Interim Director & Commissioner of the now-defunct Tucson Domestic Violence Commission. And I know that judging an abuser’s lethality is not usually possible, and the victim is often too frightened to report any abuse. And it takes the victim on the average of 5 times to leave her abuser. In Amy’s case she could not/did not leave.

“One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime”, according to the National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

This is a free showing to bring awareness to domestic violence as too often family/friends don’t know how to help a suspected victim.
Light refreshments will be served.

For more info contact the Pima County’s Office Victim Services Division at 520-740-5525.
Emerge! Crisis Line/Linea de Crisis – 1(888) 428-0101.

* THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE at 1-800-799-7233
* THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AT 1-800-656-4673
* THE NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-866-331-9474