No More

If you go to the nomore.org website, you will notice that there is no place to donate money. That's because they're already being supported by some of the biggest corporate donors known for their ongoing support of ending domestic violence-Avon, Allstate, Verizon and more. What they ask of organizations and individuals is to spread the word about ways to fight against domestic violence and to display their symbol in a show of solidarity.http://nomore.org/

Thought for the Day

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my own ship."~ Louisa May Alcott

Crain's Chicago Business Highlights Sexual Crimes against Imprisoned Teens

July 16, 2013

For several months last year, representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice passed through tight security of 326 of the nation's jails and prisons holding juveniles. The federal contractors were there to conduct a survey about crimes committed on the inside where the youths had become the victims, specifically youth-on-youth nonconsensual sexual contact and sexual misconduct by staff working in the prisons.
Rape and other kinds of sexual misconduct are a serious problem in our nation's prisons, and that includes prisons holding only youths. It happens often enough that Congress has enacted laws requiring safety measures in local jails and prisons, and it is so common that the U.S. government conducts nationwide surveys asking kids for details....continue reading full article.


 http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130716/OPINION/130719950

Celebrity Chef Nigella Lawson: the latest celebrity face of Domestic Violence

The husband of celebrity chef Nigella Lawson filed for divorce this week after she didn't publicly defend him against allegations of domestic abuse.  The fact that he was photographed in a restaurant in London with his hand around her neck didn't affect his feelings of indignation over her lack of defense. It's not uncommon for the offender to claim he was pushed to that point of anger and it wasn't solely his fault.
This incident is another reminder, if we need one, that domestic violence crosses all socio-economic lines and walking away from it requires more than financial considerations.

A Night Out with Patti Vasquez

Where shall we begin to rave about our evening with WGN radio personality and comedienne Patti Vasquez?  We brought our ladies to Francesca's restaurant for a sensational buffet dinner. Thank you to them for all they do to make our ladies feel special.  Patti had the whole room in stitches from the moment she started talking. Her hilarious brand of humor was fresh, upbeat and universal. We can't wait to do more events with Patti. The whole idea is to make our ladies laugh and Patti had them at hello!

Thought for the Day

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within myself lay an invincible summer.”
      ~Albert Camus

The whole idea behind A Night Out, Inc. is to remind our women that the strength they need to choose a better life for themselves lies within.  Obviously, there are always practical concerns that make that choice difficult but the courage and wherewithal must begin in their own hearts and minds. As we have more events, we are repeatedly seeing that even a few hours of laughter or community with others lightens the load they are carrying.