A man said to me, "Hey sis! Listen you must be doing something right, or in your past helped another, so keep doing whatever it is.,. Cause its evident.  Have a good day!

Man that touched me in so many places. This week alone I needed that warmth. I had a serious setback in my personal life not to mention an illness (that I can't shake at the moment).  I, at the time remained unable to figure out how to make it through other things necessary for the week and month.  My decision or lack of response would happen in 10 minutes or less.  I say ten minutes because it took about three to grasp what was really happening and being stated to me and two more to listen to it being conveyed   I had only one minute to resolve. 

I am thankful for my purpose. I am equally thankful for my close, personal and extended friends I have here in my life. 

A few years back, I questioned and doubted my purpose, even life itself but a big difference, is the people I've met on this journey moving forward, the ones in my life, who become what I call my "Safe Circle" now hold me up. Without me asking - when and if I get weak, depressed, unmoved, whether I'm hurting, overwhelmed, anxious, stagnant, troubled  or over-extending myself ( as passionate people do from time to time).  

What makes my "Safe Circle" different now vs. Back then during my trauma(s)?  Good question.  Well instead of turning/walking away and talking about me like others in my past...they talk to me, walk with me stand in the gap for me and hold my hand when needed, give me hugs ( I love and thrive off hugs! ) cause they know that’s what moves me...

I have made it #Fullcircle

The amazing thing is I was one person, alone providing all those things, standing up and in the gap for individuals and strangers, (who have touched my heart and remain), giving what I couldn't get after being raped... and again after my son died. It was in those times, what I needed most was love, encouragement, hugs, and words of affirmation.

Through my trials I learned how to heal daily.  Now I help others create, identify, maintain their own "Safe Circles" and take their own individual steps to heal daily.

All the love care support- I've given to so many is now continuously given to me and I am thankful.

I wanted to share this short note because I was asked how and why I am able to keep moving and I am always encouraged by others and sometimes their energy gives me the strength to move when I feel I can’t. I still get hurt, just recently   I might add but I am still here. I believe what I teach. You are bigger than your circumstance or situation and so am I , The teacher just needed a little nudge and reminder , so thank you universe  thank you for providing a way for me to see and become Thankful once again.

Jamila

Caroline County Hosts Walk to End Sexual Violence

1st Annual Teal Ribbon Walk to End Sexual Violence - tomorrow!!

Hosted By Caroline County Alliance Against Violence
In Support of Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault www.rcasa.org

April 14, 2012 at Caroline High School

Register on site tomorrow or call 540-371-6771
Cost per Individual: $25
Cost per Team Member: $15

All Funds support education, prevention, and intervention on sexual violence and abuse in Caroline County

                                                     *Central Virgina offers 24hr Hotline*
                                                              1-540-371-1666
               free crisis intervention, counseling, support and medical accompaniment
                                                       

Community Conference 7/16/2011 : So, How Are The Children?

Join Kwanzaa Community Church for a conference addressing our children’s multi-layered trauma from the experience of the recent tornado in North Minneapolis.

We will examine the healing power of childhood resilience, how it can be enhanced, and how it can lead them toward recovery and restoration.

Date and time:
Saturday, July 16, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:
UROC
2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55411

(break out sessions at the Minneapolis Urban League)

Cost:
$10 to attend (scholarships available)

Questions?
Email kwanzaachurch@msn.com

Register two ways  :
http://www.kwanzaachurch.org/   (pay in person)

http://sohowarethechildren.eventbrite.com/   (to pay online)

Did Far Away Go Too Far or Not Enough?

"Marsha should have taken a different approach", at least in some circles whether large or small you can hear a overwhelming murmur that agrees or at least willing to argue the point.

Do you agree with what has been stated? What side do you find yourself on? Is your opinion solely based as a music lover? Is it the content of the video or something else entirely?




Anyone who has heard "Far Away" before release of the video (listen above) when and if polled probably had a specific visual creative direction in their head of what the song's concept would be when released.

Here's what I learned from being a vessel of creative spirit and observation.

Me
"Anything, once written and given up for an audience to share is up for interpretation"


Meaning- What lies in the head of every creative person(myself included) if asked, is a storyline that's interchangeable, accessible yet different to those who partake in it.

What is apparent and understood with our eyes and felt in our hearts unfortunately remains the same, hate and violence, especially in the minority community towards a non-heterosexual continues and we as minorities continue to suffer.

Hopefully, this visual tug at the heart can bring understanding and a necessary urgency to STOP.


Far Away- Marsha Ambrosius

Personally, I am happy that someone else (especially in the Music Entertainment world) is willing to showcase black love in it's various forms (Am I gonna get in trouble?) Who cares!

The effect good and /or bad that we can have as community members, neighbors, friends, loved ones, activists, advocates dealing with choices that we make as individuals has to be told.

Silence has never helped anyone. While you prepare to sit quiet we still are being ignored, underrepresented, hurt, beat, raped, outcast, ridiculed, forgotten and dying.

As you see, read, walk, listen or move around today I urge you to try something different, like Marsha Ambrosius did and SPEAK OUT to save a life!

Virginia to Offer 3,000 Small Grants for Teen Violence Prevention

The Virginia Department of Health is offering $3,000 mini-grants for community-based or youth-serving agencies to implement activities from the Choose Respect Playbook.

Applications must be received by 3:00PM Friday, January 28, 2011 via email, fax, or mail.

For more information, download the funding announcement and application materials at http://www.vahealth.org/Injury/datingviolence/index.htm under the “News and Events” heading at the bottom of the page.

For questions or submissions, contact:

Erica A. Williams, MS Violence Prevention Specialist
Division of Prevention and Health Promotion
Office: 804-864-7741 Fax: 804-864-7748
Email: erica.williams@vdh.virginia.gov


Office of Family Health Services
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor St, 8th floor
Richmond VA 23219

Man Beaten Over Girl's Rape is Stable

Jose Carrasquillo

Man Beaten Over Girl's Rape In Stable Condition

Jose Carrasquillo, 26, has progressed from critical, to stable condition at Temple University Hospital after experiencing a brutal mob attack. Carrasquillo was badly beaten after his picture was shown by police for questioning in the rape of a 11-year-old girl in Philadelphia. A neighborhood mob took matters into their own hands after recognizing him and decided not to wait for formal charges or evidence. They just pummeled him. Police eventually arrived on the scene, only to arrest him on a unrelated bench warrant.

Interesting to note that no one has been named or charged in the vicious rape as of yet. Authorities are looking into whether to file charges against any of the neighbors,as of today no charges have been filed.

The girl in question dropped her sibling off at daycare,proceeded to walk to school when she was approached by a man who then started to walk with the victim, then threaten her.He took her to a nearby backyard and raped her repeatedly, authorities said.

Do you agree with the police sharing photos of possible"interested persons"when conducting a case?

Do you think there is a time when it's ok to take the law into your own hands?

Do you agree that Jose has rights, as a person,like me and you not to be violated despite his record of arrest that has been called out on the news and in print.

Questions I would like answered are:

Who will pay or help pay his hospital bill? What victim services will be provided to him?

I am not being funny, I am asking because whether Jose committed that crime in question he himself is now a victim and may be in need. I must admit and I am still thinking on why that was my first reaction upon learning of this unfortunate act,I chuckled and gave a personal silent head nod with a smile, not at the beat down, just at the fact that someone can feel so strongly and more importantly is willing to step up and out to do SOMETHING about it. now what they decided to do is wrong on many levels and accounts but I personally understand and can relate to the motivation behind it.

I hope that we are all aware that you can find many ways to channel your anger and outrage at the actions of someone else,but in life there may come a time when you sense of responsibility and your sensibility separate. To put it plainly,I think this was one of those times

For more info on this story check out these links:

http://newsone.blackplanet.com/nation/crowd-beat-man-accused-of-raping-11-year-old-in-philadelphia/

Freedom For Survivors of Sexual Abuse:Forum

Received this in a email and thought someone can benefit from this. I also looked up a few websites with their links provided below:

http://www.tamarsvoice.org/
http://www.snap-network.net/
http://hopeforsurvivors.org/

Outreach for clergy sexual abuse victims, their families and loved ones.

Saturday May 2,2009 @12:15 p.m. St.Francis Convent 116 8th Ave. SE, Little Falls, MN 56345

Minnesota men who were sexually abused as children openly discuss their injuries and steps to recovery, survivors of clergy sex abuse and male victims of incest will discuss the following:

• decades long history and understandings of the Catholic Crosier Religious Order
• sexual abuse of area boys and the negative impact of the abuse on area families.
• the battles of stepping out of the shadows of silence of childhood rape and victimization
• the long-term ramifications of the abuse on the men, their families and loved ones.

The forum includes: a written questions and answer session (written questions are to insure anonymity)
sharing of survivor stories resources from area child advocacy centers and agencies established area support groups

*A private and confidential SNAP Survivor Support Group will follow the public presentation.

Listed below are just some of the reasons you should attend or take a loved one. Equally important, when left unchecked or talked about it will continue to affect our community, your personal environment. Please help spread the word about this!

Childhood sexual abuse is associated with a greater risk of: Suicide; Alcoholism; Drug abuse; Re-victimization; Unintended pregnancy; Eating disorders; Self-mutilation; Depression; Insomnia; Seductive behaviors, Prostitution; Confusion of sexuality and nurturing behavior; Relationship problems; Sexually transmitted disease; Identity disturbances; and Involvement in physically abusive relationships as adults.

Need more information?

contact any of the following or check http://www.snap-network.net/ website for updates.

Bob Schwiderski from Wayzata, MN SNAP Director, 952-471-3422, skibrs@mchsi.com

Craig Martin from St. Cloud, CMSAC, Male Services Coordinator, 320-251-4357

Julie Kapsch from Little Falls, Hands of Hope, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, 320-632-1657

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

We here at BUILD to BLEND want to give you information about issues surrounding Sexual Assault from many positions for instance; we will report on things going on in the community, around the state of Minnesota, news from around the US and abroad. We will also give you B2B's standpoint and survivor(s) point of view.






I personally think it's more important that we try to give you steps or ideas on how you the individual, your community can be a support to someone affected by the abuse and or assault. Our ultimate goal is for you to be equipped and ultimately ready and willing to help prevent Sexual Violence.

We think it is important for us to discuss in this format, social networks, in person for many reasons but I will share my personal view by giving you a couple reason that are important to me and why I step out continuously .

• there are women everywhere and with that potential for greatness and for exploitation of some kind due to Socio-Economic factors, cultural influence, Religious factors, outdated stereotypes and roles affixed on to women and young girls.
  





• We are not alone Sexual Violence and Sexual Abuse at the hands of someone else does not just happen in Minnesota, the U.S. but it's a epidemic that affects us Worldwide.
  





• Men are everywhere as well with the same potential for greatness but just like women run the risk of being exploited or having to live up to outdated stereotypes and roles because of Socio-Economic factors, Cultural influences, Religious Doctrine, outdated stereotypes and roles affixed to young boys.
  
  




• Minorities are unfortunately consistent, with the help of those same factors listed above over time to be an under-served community affected by Sexual Violence.
  





• All survivors are not shaped in a little neat box. We are all different shades and sizes, we don't all forgive, fight, cry, forget, move, heal, create or e even dream at the same time. We don't identify the same or even have the same issues before we were hurt, so why would that change.
  





• As a African-American Woman who has been abused and sexually assaulted I am pinch-able, living proof that it does happen to Minorities. I am unafraid to speak because for a long time I felt I couldn't...imagine that.
  





• People personally tell me and others what we do and say is necessary, someone is helped, you can make a difference, you are changing attitudes, you do make people talk about it (even if behind closed doors) they are still talking...now I say OPEN THE DOOR- so that we can come in and you let all that hurt, speculation, negative attitudes, apprehensions and pain out.
  
  

There is more, if you like, I can elaborate on those concepts or ideals stated above.

If anything, what I would like you to take from this particular blog or any that I or BUILD to BLEND may post is that sometimes violence does happen and often, more then any of us would like, those things are or can potentially be of a sexual nature.



Thank You,



Jamila and Everyone else here who supports BUILD to BLEND