Skip to main content

Highland County commissioners proclaim Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article
Highland County commissioners proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Pictured (l-r) are commissioners David Daniels and Brad Roades; Dara Gullette, Jeanine Mullenix, Sarah Collins and Lynn White of the Alternatives to Violence Center; and commissioner Terry Britton. (HCP Photo/Caitlin Forsha)
By
Caitlin Forsha, The Highland County Press

Highland County commissioners David Daniels, Brad Roades and Terry Britton proclaimed October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month during their Wednesday, Sept. 25 meeting.

Alternatives to Violence Center director Dara Gullette and staff members Sarah Collins, Jeanine Mullenix and Lynn White accepted the proclamation. Collins was introduced by Gullette as the office’s “newest advocate.”

Before reading the proclamation, commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize an annual request from Gullette seeking permission for the Alternatives to Violence Center to apply for the revenue from the marriage license fund.

Gullette said the center generally receives approximately $9,000 from Highland County and $9,000 from Clinton County from those fees, which they use as matching funds for grants.

“Our anticipated budget is $841,941,” Gullette said. “Our predicted numbers for next year to serve is over 5,000, and that will be direct services, crisis calls, walk-ins, intervention, prevention, education and trainings.”

Also during their meeting with commissioners, Gullette invited the community to attend the AVC’s 13th annual trivia night fundraiser Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hillsboro Orpheum, 135 North High St.

“Jeanine’s been working very, very hard,” Gullette said. “This is one of our biggest events every year.”

This year’s theme is Beetlejuice — “It’s Showtime for Survivors.” Tickets are $400 per table for a minimum of five and maximum of eight players per team. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams.

Dinner and entertainment are included. There will be a costume contest, with a prize for the best-dressed team. The event will also include raffles, giveaways and more.

The registration deadline is Oct. 18. Sponsorships are also being accepted. To register or donate, or for more information, call (937) 393-8118 or follow the Alternatives to Violence Center on Facebook.

After meeting with the AVC representatives, Daniels read the proclamation on behalf of commissioners to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Highland County and to “urge all citizens to work together to eliminate domestic violence from our community.”

If you are in need of help, the AVC has locations in both Highland and Clinton counties. The Highland County office is located at 135 North High Street, suite 1, Hillsboro, and can be reached at (937) 393-8118. To reach the 24-hour crisis line, call (888) 816-1146.

Services provided by the Alternatives to Violence Center include emergency shelter for survivors and their children; personal, medical and legal advocacy; parenting programs; support groups; therapy; safety planning; housing and relocation; information, education and referrals; the Community Advocacy Project; and transportation and cell phones.

Anyone interested in supporting the AVC program and shelter, including through monetary donations or donations of needed supplies, can find more information at: https://www.avconline.info/support-us. Volunteers are also welcomed.

For more from Wednesday’s meeting, see the stories at https://highlandcountypress.com/news/permissive-sales-tax-receipts-upco… and https://highlandcountypress.com/news/not-going-be-short-turnaround-high….

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.

 

Add new comment

This is not for publication.
This is not for publication.

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
Article comments are not posted immediately to the Web site. Each submission must be approved by the Web site editor, who may edit content for appropriateness. There may be a delay of 24-48 hours for any submission while the web site editor reviews and approves it. Note: All information on this form is required. Your telephone number and email address is for our use only, and will not be attached to your comment.