Winter Campaign Letter 2024
Dear Impact Partner,
I hope this letter finds you all healthy, happy, and preparing for the upcoming holiday season!
I am reaching out to you on behalf of enCourage (formally SASA), to request your help in supporting our local programming.
I am a firm believer in the services of enCourage, as I received help from enCourage in 2006. One of my first relationships was a dangerous one, and when I decided to leave it was really hard. Like many others, it took more than the first time to leave, one of the reasons it took more than once is I didn’t have the resources to leave. I didn’t know what I could do or that I could get help and that there were people who would cheer me on. For safety reasons I had to hide so my abuser would not find me, the second time I left the advocates at enCourage were able to help me leave quickly and safely. Although I was getting help, I still found it difficult to go to work, go to the grocery store, and even find housing. It was enCourage that helped me through, including housing me until I found safe and secured housing of my own. They assisted in a protection order, made sure I had a “start-up kit” for my home, transported me so my car could remain hidden and couldn’t be tracked, and allowed me to come in and talk about what I was going through. My family was warned by the police that the only way I would leave the relationship was “in a black body bag”, we had to remain quiet and silent in Hastings so I couldn’t be found. After 2 years of counseling, I felt much better in myself and what I wanted to do going forward. My strength, confidence, and personal motivation is because of my advocate who helped me many years ago and got me to where I needed to be. I have since worked in non-profits, including enCourage, I believe in giving back to the community that was there for myself and my peers. Being on the board of enCourage is now my way to stay involved and let community members know that they are not alone. enCourage is part of my story, from needing help and feeling hopeless to a place of personal success and enjoying the community I live in.
Your contribution will make it possible to continue offering assistance and hope to individuals who are ready to leave their abusive relationships, educate the community, and change the community norms. These changes start with you, with your assistance, we can continue our mission.
With appreciation,
Kerry-Anne Block
Board President
enCourage Advocacy Center
This year, our Advocates served:
- 384 survivors through
- 2,294 services provided,
- 814 bed nights,
- and 2,442 meals.
