Volume 89, October – December, 2019

Board of DirectorsKristen Williams, PresidentGreg Armstrong, V. PresidentSteven Woodruff, Jr., SecretaryJohn Freeman, TreasurerJamey Ballard Stevan BlackJessica BradshawJoey BraggCarly EstesJanet GullettRebecca HudsonDr. George HurstFred IvyRosie JonesKaren MooneyStacy MonteleoneScott ReedSusan Spencer

Sheila G. Brand, Executive Director

Natalie White, MSCMHT Program Coordinator

Kasy Ates, MSW Shelter Counselor

Cynthia Mathews, Case ManagerPaige Lamkin, Administrative AssistantAmber Avent,

Office Assistant Sara Gallman,

CAC Clinical CoordinatorCarly Thomas, LSW

CAC Victim AdvocatePenny Peralto, LSW

Forensic InterviewerReagan Thomas, LMSW

CAC Advocate/TherapistAshton Woodson

CAC Pilot Project ManagerMonique Tillman, MS TLP AdvisorJory Tally, Outreach/Community Educator

Virginia Tallie; Lou Ann Golden; Creacy Fulton; JoAnn Petty; Kawanda Foard; Parthina Rogers; Antinique Quinn; Annie Webber; Tamela Rasberry; Genika McGee; Rashad Hosey

Transforming Lives.

A MESSAGE FROM SHEILA:The end of the holiday season also marks the end of 2019 and the end of a decade. When I think about the number of children and youth touched by our program this year, I am amazed by the impact of the services offered by our agency. I am amazed by the generosity of our community. I am amazed by the commitment and leadership of our board and staff. This amazement multiplied by three decades of service is truly remarkable!! Saying ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to impact the lives of children seems inadequate.

MEMORIALSIn Memory of Bonnie Doss, Robert Craig, Sara Hazard and Martha Braddock By Bennie and Holly Hitt In Memory of Jayne Posey By Joe CoxIn Memory of Ed Lyon and Jane Turnipseed By William and Maureen ColloredoIn Memory of Phil Dendy By Becky DendyIn Memory of Jane Turnipseed and Mary Ann Jones By David and Elaine LoftinIn Memory of Donna Harris By Billie MayoIn Memory of Mary Rose Dendy and David Malone By Heath and Sheila Brand, Parker and Noah In Memory of Robert Craig and Burt Henry By Juanita HarperIn Memory of Donna Harris By Suzanne Word, Wilkes and Amy Bryan and Earl and Jenny StubblefieldIn Memory of Dr. and Mrs. Tom Braddock, Dr. and Mrs. Gordan Hazard and Inez Betterton By Kaye JudsonIn Memory of Carlisle Campbell By William and Shirley Sugg

In Memory of Bonnie Doss, Phillip Golson, Ed Lyon and Jane Turnipseed By Juanita Ann Harper In Memory of Jane Turnipseed, Burt Henry and Donna Harris By Steve and Thea Kay TribbleIn Memory of Ed Lyon and Jane Turnipseed By Carl Bryan In Memory of Thomas Holliday, Sr. By Thomas Holliday, Jr.In Memory of Hamp and Gilda Hurst By Chris and Julie HurstIn Memory of Kay Faulkner By Lynda OsburnIn Memory of Dr. Jiroji Noguchi By Mark and Zandy BerneggerIn Memory of Donna Harris By Bill and Maureen Colloredo, Nancy Cox and Mr. and Mrs. Ray CoxIn Memory of Jane Turnipseed By Suzanne Word and Wilkes and Amy BryanIn Memory of Catherine Bryant By Reta Washam and Bruce CrittendenIn Memory of Gilda Hurst By Montez GanssIn Memory of Gene Fowler and Alan Holliday By Joe and Janice FowlerIn Memory of Donna Harris By Mark and Zandy Bernegger

In Memory of Jane Turnipseed By Mr. and Mrs. Larry Fretz, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Scott Gable, Mr. and Mrs. VJ Trolio, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Yelverton In Memory of Marilyn Doolittle By Max DoolittleIn Memory of Jane Turnipseed By Mr. and Mrs. Steve Gaskin and Mr. and Mrs. James ChandlerIn Memory of Tex Brown By Tex Brown and Barbara BrownIn Memory of Maralynn Odom Charrier By Paine Memorial United Methodist Church In Memory of Doris Belk By Michael and Joyce PriceIn Memory of Kay Bryan By Diane HopperIn Memory of Tom and Martha Braddock, Gordan and Sara Hazard and Donna Harris By Galloway-Chandler-McKinney InsuranceIn Memory of Matthew Gaskin and Georgia Millender By David and Elaine Loftin In Memory of Jan and Bobby Robinson, Charles Walker, Mary McKinnis, Frank Berry, George Mercier, Frank and JoAnne Brooks and Ray Gregory By Rosemary and Jimmy FisherIn Memory of Vanessa McTaggart By Robert and Jan McTaggartIn Memory of Mary Rose Brand, T.A. Dendy, Phil Dendy, Punk and Gaye Dendy, Linda Bryan, Buddy Griggs, Christine Henley and Kathryn Knox By Lonnie Brand

In review of 2019, SALLY KATE WINTERS FAMILY SERVICES provided housing and support services for 341 children and youth. These children shared a lot of smiles and tears as we offered them a safe place to find healing and a sense of hope. Through the emergency shelter, runaway/homeless youth services, the transitional living program, and the children’s advocacy center, viable services continue to be offered locally to address the issues of child abuse, neglect, family violence, and homelessness in our communities.

We also welcomed new members to the Board of Directors charged with the responsibility of governing our organization. Kim Hood and Mark Jackson will join the group in 2020, serving a three-year term. Other changes include the passing of the gavel from immediate, past-president Kristen Williams to Greg Armstrong. Greg will serve as Board President through December 2021. Other board officers include Scott Reed – Vice President, Susan Spencer – Secretary, and Karen Mooney – Treasurer. We are extremely grateful for the commitment of our volunteer Board of Directors. Their leadership and oversight will guide SKWFS into this new decade.

As we begin 2020, I challenge all of us to ponder the example set by Benjamin Franklin. Every day he asked himself two questions: In the morning, he would ask, “What good am I going to do today?” And in the evening, he would ask, “What good have I done today?” With the commitment to recognize the needs of others and give to meet those needs, we are motivated to keep our priorities in check. The result…..an increased quality of life for both the giver and the receiver. May your life be richly blessed during the New Year through your generosity!! Thanks for your support.

HONORARIUMS

In Honor of Leonard & Debbie Dichiara and Jimmy & Judy Littlefield By Claude and Judy CarteeIn Honor of Ann Wandishian, Buffy Ruthardt, Tori Park, Lori Robertson, Melanie Busby, Missy Wilson, Gail Anderson, Lindsey Triplett and Celcilia Stoll By Scott Reed

In Honor of Kenny & Anna Dill, Gene &Wendy Childress, Frank & Diane Hopper and Jean Dill By Ken and Kerri DillIn Honor of Ken & Janice Harrelson By Doug and Sheila Wood

In Honor of Suzanne Word, Pam Carson and Susan Thompson By Debbie Bond In Honor of Leonard & Debbie Dichiaraand Claude & Judy Cartee By Jimmy and Judy Littlefield

In Honor of Sonny Jameson By Jim and Debbie Chandler In Honor of Betty Sue Shumpert By Barry ShumpertIn Honor of Anita and Sandra Harpole By Precept Bible Study ClassIn Honor of Customers & Associates By Ellis SteelIn Honor of Stevan Black and Jennifer Black By Sharon BlackIn Honor of Mathew Griff Wooten By Matt and Erin WootenIn Honor of Toxey Haas, Bill Sugg and Mr. Fox Haas By James and LaDonna HelvestonIn Honor of Leonard & Debbie Dichiara, Jim & Terry Sebert and Billy & Marie ScruggsBy Velma CaskeyIn Honor of Chancellor Paula Drungole-Ellis By Molly Jackson

In Honor of Steven Woodruff By Ina and Samuel GaskinIn Honor of Carol Pigott By Robin McCormick In Honor of the Childress Family By Dave and Elizabeth KetchumIn Honor Stacy Weems By Tawana BauerIn Honor of Gene & Carolyn Gwathney, Lonnie Brand and Linda Malone By Heath and Sheila Brand, Parker & NoahIn Honor of Burnell McDonald By WP Consolidated School District In Honor of Gary & Judy Hamilton, Robbie & Marie Wooten & Curt Kisner By Emily Hopkins and Ray HopkinsIn Honor of Rev. Darian Duckworth By Debbie and Tommy BondIn Honor of Customers and Associates By Galloway-Chandler-McKinney

In Honor of Larry Barton By Robin McCormick In Honor of Betty Shumpert By Gloria and Glenn SmithIn Honor of Dr. and Mrs. Ron Powell By Juanita Ann Harper In Honor of Nellie White Yelverton By David Cox In Honor of Special Friends By Steve and Becky McKinneyIn Honor of Frank and Diane Hopper By Kathryn and Jimmy Wood In Honor of Frank & Diane Hopper, Dave & Elizabeth Ketchum and Ken & Kerri Dill By Gene and Wendy ChildressIn Honor of Tom & Molly Gerald, Ben Fewel & Catherine Maxwell, Tom Fewel & Joy Wood, and Kathy Fewel By Daniel Rainey In Honor of Jimmy & Judy Littlefield and Claude & Judy Cartee By Leonard and Debbie Dichiara

CASH CONTRIBUTORSDr. Ed and Tonda Riley Elaine and David LoftinKaty and Eugene Allen FrontstreamYour Cause, LLCEco Lab

United Way of Lowndes County United Way of North Central MS United Way of Monroe County United Way of Northeast MS Jack Sherman Eastern Star

Ann Bryan Jameson Robert and Sharon Odom Louise Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Percy Bryant, Jr. Carl Miller Beverly and John Shields

Zeta Phi Beta SororityInternational Paper FoundationMurphree/Gregory Companies, LLCPaul RayTina Tedford-IvyDawn and Gregory SwartzGary Dedeaux

John Reese Ballard Insurance and Financial Services Betty Sue Shumpert Misty Wallace Mancil and Mary Ray Michael Decarlo Louis Odneal

Joanna Buchanan Virginia and Dennis Doughty John Douglas Phillips Marilda and Mark O’Bryant Lyman and Deborah Smith Larry Barton Carl Bryan

Greenbrier United Methodist ChurchPaine Memorial ChurchFirst United Methodist Church-WP

MS Farm Bureau Federation Bill and Mary East Mildred Millsaps

Bill and Mary East First Presbyterian Church Old Waverly Home and Garden Club

IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS Anne SutherlandSamantha KendricksMelody MontsPatti FlippenJanna Darsey MurrayAARP MembersMartha McMinn, Center Grove Baptist ChurchSiloam Baptist ChurchJimmy WoodJohn RiceTom BriggsThe Society of African American Studies

Mamie Harper Janet GulletCalvary Baptist ChurchAngela ColbertQuandra GillespieLeslie JonesDorothy EdwardsRhonda StaffordJanice FowlerFloyd and Brenda HouseWest Point High School Football TeamDale McTaggart

Vicki DiminoBonnie ThompsonSteve Hayard and Carol HayardMark HayardJohn and Sally SposetoThomasene WilsonDianne TallieGrace CookPrestage FarmsVibrant ChurchBrittany ElliottHeath BrandStark Aerospace

We celebrated Sheila Brand's 25th year as SKWFS Executive Director! East Mississippi Community College collected & donated more than 2,000 canned goods for us! We were the chosen charity for the MS Farm Bureau Association Women's Leadership Committee to receive a $5,000 donation! We had so many wonderful volunteers! They spent time with our youth, spruced up our flower beds and much more! We celebrated National Runaway Prevention Month by wearing green socks to raise awareness! We adopted another part of Highway 45 in West Point as part of MDOT’s Adopt A Highway program The Family Resource Center in West Point became our 34th Safe Place site! Our youth had a wonderful Christmas, thanks to all of the donors who donated gifts! Our s taf f a lso had a great Chris tmas and enjoyed the annual SKWFS Chr is tmas lunch!

THANK YOU, 2019!

PROGRAM UPDATEFor October, November & December 2019

Emergency Shelter ProgramESP services were provided for 9 children who received a total of 366 nights of service. The children represented ages 6-17, with neglect, physical abuse, and family violence being the reasons for placement. 6 counties were represented through shelter placement by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.

Runaway & Homeless Youth ProgramRHY shelter services were provided for 1 youth, age 13, for a total of 20 nights of service. The youth represented 1 county and was identified as a runaway and a youth at-risk of homelessness. 3 crisis calls were managed by RHY staff, providing resources for youth in need of services. A total of 34 Safe Place Sites are available in a 5 county area to assist youth in crisis and connect them to local services.

Overnight Respite ProgramOvernight respite services were provided for 8 foster care children for a total of 29 nights of service. These children represented ages 2 – 10 years, offering foster parents a short respite from providing 24-hour care for children in the state foster care system. 3 counties were represented through the Overnight Respite Services offered.

Transitional Living ProgramTLP services were provided for 4 youth for a total of 332 nights of service. Youth participated in life skills classes, volunteer activities, educational enrollment, and employment as part of the TLP program.

Children’s Advocacy CenterCAC services were offered for 74 children and their non-offending caregivers. Services include forensic interviewing, victim advocacy, on-site mental health, and referrals for other services. These children represented child abuse cases involving alleged sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnesses to a violent crime. 7 counties were represented through the services offered by the CAC, along with monthly Multi-disciplinary Meetings and case review in the counties of Clay, Choctaw, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha.

Sally Kate Winters Family Services provided a total of 2,241 meals for children in need during this quarter.