Last June I began working at Mutual Ground in the position of Volunteer Administrator. One very large part of this role is working with in-kind donations. These donations come from families, individuals, civic and church groups, etc. The types of donations we get differ widely, from diapers and snack foods to broken cell phones and running shoes. The one constant of each of these donations is they are given to us by someone with the best of intentions. Everyone who gives hopes that their donation is being used to help the life of someone else.

As a follow-up from last year’s April blog post, of which I was inspired by, we know that sexual assault of all kinds is still extremely prevalent in our world. After all, programs and agencies like Mutual Ground wouldn’t need to exist if sexual violence was eradicated entirely, or at the very least, wasn’t as prevalent as it still is.

From being a one-week celebration to becoming a month-long celebration, in the month of March we celebrate the contributions women have made to culture, history, and society. This year the theme of Women’s History Month is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” A theme to highlight the work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.

Marijuana has come a very long way since its prohibition days dating back to the 1970’s. Since then American views on marijuana have shifted rapidly. Thirty years ago, marijuana legalization seemed like a lost cause with only 1 out of 4 Americans approving the legalization. Now marijuana is the most commonly used psychoactive drug in the United States. On average 2/3 of Americans approve the legalization of marijuana, and 94 million people admit to using marijuana at least once. With this change in views has come a series of fallacies about the drug.

If you are reading this, you most likely already have a connection to, an interest in, or some knowledge about domestic and sexual violence. And if that is true, then you may have heard that domestic and sexual violence take root in the exertion of power and control over another person—controlling finances, freedoms, or relationships, abusing physical and emotional power through violence, etc.

As if there aren’t enough social barriers in today’s society in becoming more inclusive and diverse, one of the major barriers is language. Person first language (PFL) is an etiquette that is used when interacting and providing services to individuals with disabilities or illnesses.

The practice of gratitude is much more meaningful than simply giving thanks, or expressing appreciation for a gift you have received. Practicing gratitude is an individual choice we all have, that is extraordinarily powerful. It is a way of being in life that can alter how we see and experience the world around us. I invite you to consider taking a small step in this direction of practicing gratitude, and experience the shift in your own life.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was first recognized back in October of 1987. Circa 1981, the month of awareness was merely a day dubbed “Day of Unity”. This grew to a week of awareness, and eventually to what we know today as DVAM, an entire month of bringing awareness to the issues surrounding domestic violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence). What exactly are we aware of this month? Perhaps as important, who are we aware of?

The road leading to substance use recovery is long and winding with many hills and valleys. Bumps along the way can be expected, and the scenery varies from beautiful serenity to pure chaos. When going on a road trip, we all know a passenger’s job is almost as important as the drivers.

It may be hard to believe, but there has been an epidemic taking the lives of people every day, long before COVID hit. The Opioid Epidemic.

The Kendall County Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) was created in January of 2020 after Kendall County State’s Attorney, Eric Weis, contacted Mutual Ground looking for different ways to support victims during their participation in the criminal justice process.

Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day) is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

As April approaches so does the reminder of sexual assault awareness. For all involved in supporting victims on a daily basis, we are very aware of the causes, the repercussions, and the trauma involved when sexual violence takes place. Sexual assault is a vast issue that impacts all people whether it is obvious or not.

My journey with volunteering at Mutual Ground began in the summer of 2020. I first connected with Mutual Ground to become a victim advocate. I took the 60 hour certification class via zoom and found an amazing group of advocates. I was able to participate in thought provoking discourse and discussion. With this course, I learned about the mission and the important work that Mutual Ground does in the community. During my training, I knew this was an organization I wanted to be a part of.

Holes punched in walls; screaming in my face; swerving the car dangerously; reading my diary; punching my little brother; ignoring my requests to leave; these were just a few of the warning signs that my high school boyfriend was an abuser.

Being a parent is a job that we are not trained for. We learn as we go. It can be the most fulfilling and challenging job all at once. As parents, we naturally try and protect our children from harm, but sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our children may still not make the best possible decisions. The pre-teen and teenage years are often when adolescents try to find themselves, figure out their likes and dislikes, and experiment with different trends or hobbies. It is during this time that they may being to experiment with drugs.