Dollhouse brings home need to support victims

The Family Support Council's victim services director spends much of her time talking to domestic violence victims about power and control.

Using the power and control wheel, Cindy Fanning helps each victim explore the patterns of abusive and violent behaviors used to maintain control over them.

"So often victims don't see the pattern because they're living in it every day," said Fanning. "Once they're aware that the abuse hasn't stopped just because it isn't physical all the time, victims are in a better position to plan for their own safety."

Many victims do go on to safer, happier lives after working with advocates like Fanning.

"When a survivor of abuse comes back to the agency years later looking and acting like a new person - she's obviously happy and isn't living in fear anymore - that's when I know this work really does help change lives."

"When domestic violence survivors come back to visit Family Support Council, they're often looking to give back and help others who are in the same situation" said Desiree Witteman, another advocate with the agency. "There isn't a month that goes by that someone doesn't come in with a donation of towels or blankets for the shelter, or to volunteer on our crisis line. Sometimes it helps victims in their healing to do something for others."

Recently the agency received a donation of a large wooden dollhouse. The donor shared that she had once stayed in a victim's shelter and wanted to give something to Family Support Council that would be used in the shelter, according to Witteman.

"It's a great legacy - from receiving shelter to providing a gift to make the shelter experience better for someone else," she added.

Before Family Support Council can use the dollhouse, the agency needs help repairing it.

"In its current condition, it just isn't safe enough for younger children," said Fanning. "We'd like to honor the donor's wishes, but we don't have the tools or expertise to fix the dollhouse ourselves."

Family Support Council is looking for someone with woodworking tools and experience to repair the dollhouse so that the dozens of children who reside temporarily in the agency's shelter each year may enjoy it. "This could be a great weekend project for an individual, or even a group of friends or a club," Witteman said. "Giving this dollhouse to our shelter meant a lot to the donor, and having it fixed up would mean a lot to our agency and the victims and their children."

For more information on how to volunteer for the dollhouse project, or to volunteer with Family Support Council, contact Pam Russell at 782-8692 or email prussell@family-support.org.