2022 Women Helping Women Sponsors

Terri Speirs on March 15, 2022

Thank you to our 2022 Women Helping Women
Sponsors and Leaders!

as of 5/23/22

Leadership Sponsor – $5,000

Kathy Fehrman


Polk County
Susan and Carl Voss

Sally Wallace

 

Supporting Sponsor – $2,500

Atlantic Bottling Co.
Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey

Carol Bodensteiner


Trudy Holman Hurd

Hy-Vee
Todd and Sue Mattison

Shirley Poertner

Rachel Stauffer and Jim Lawson

Marti Wade

Wittern Family Charitable Foundation

Sally Wood

Kathleen and Larry Zimpleman

 

Contributing Sponsor – $1,500

Apple Roofing

Dr. Barbara Beatty

Broadlawns Medical Center
Connectify HR

Foster Group, Inc.

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Iowa Radiology

LaDonna Matthes

D.J. Newlin

Prairie Meadows

Mary M. Riche

Silver Fox

Kim and Rich Willis

Connie Wimer


Special Friend – $1,000
Meredith and J.R. Boesen
Suzie Glazer Burt
Nora and Dave Everett
Cindy and Tom Fischer
Ann Flood
Jann Freed and John Fisher
Barbara M. Gartner
Mary Gottschalk
Rachel Hardin
Leslie Heimbach
Starr and Harry Hinrichs
Ann and Tom Holme
Charlotte Hubbell
Andrea James
Martha G. James
Kate and Andy Juelfs
Linda Koehn
Virginia Lauridsen
Lisa Veach, M.D.
Nany Main
Claudette and P.J. McDonald
Brenda Mouw
Pauline and William Niebur
Barb and Andy Nish
Cynthia O’Brien
Jill Oman
Lynsey Oster
Allison and Timothy Peet
Rita Perea
Deb and Bob Pulver Foundation
Jackie Saunders
Rebecca D. Shaw, M.D.
Cameron Shepherd and Peter Sloterdyk
Kathy and Ted Stuart
Nanette D. Stubbs, in memory of Iola Tollakson
Toni Urban
Michele Whitty

Leader Plus – $500
Stephanie Asklof
Sandra Axness
Susan Ballard
Janet Betts
Annie Sloterdyk Brandt
Beth Coonan
Lynn Ekblad
Denise Essman
Marshall Flapan, in honor memory of Judy Flapan
Rosalie Gallagher
Onnalee Gettler
Kathleen and Calvin Hansen
Renee Hardman
Sarah Hayes
Denise J.A. Holck
Joanie Houston
Debbie Hubbell
Joanne Johnson
Anne Kelly
Mary Kramer
Jennie LeGates
Robbie G. Malm
Cyril Mandelbaum
Lorraine and Tom May
Reo Menning
Stephanie Pearl
Kay Riley
David Sagula
Patrice M. Sayre
Susan Moritz Scharnberg
Karen Shaff
Barb Sherman
Diana Sickles
Kendra Simmons
Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Terri Mork Speirs, in honor of Sharon Goldford
Joan Stark
Barbara Stennes
Hallie Still-Caris
Char Vukovich
Teri Wahlig and Mark Feldmann
Linda Weidmaier
Deb Wiley and John Schmidt
Dr. Judy Winkelpleck

Leader – $250
Emily Abbas
Susan Ackelson
Anonymous
Becky Anthony
Beverly Apel
Barb Bachman
Janice Bannister
Mary Kay Bartine
Mary Ann Beard
Connie Beasley
Laura Belin
Jan Berlin
Beth Bishop
Connie Boesen
Nancy Bone
Margaret Platt Borgen
Nicole Boyington
Shelley Brody
Suzan Kelsey Brooks
Mary Kay Buchsbaum
Phyllis Cacciatore
Mary Carlsen, in honor of Rachel Hardin
Kevin Carroll
Marilyn Carroll
Aura Baquero Cassab
LaNae Ceryanec
Nancy Cheeseman
Alicia Claypool
Dawn Connet and Greg Nichols
Julie Ann Connolly
Whitney Cowman
Holly Craiger, in honor of Jacquie Easley McGhee
Suzanna de Baca
Judy and Larry Deutch, in honor of Sharon Goldford
Dr. Christine Dietz, in memory of Isabel Dietz and in honor of Sharon Goldford
Cris Douglass
Marsha and Ellery Duke
Michael Easley, in honor of Jacquie Easley McGhee
Victoria Eckstat
Kelly Edmister
Karen Engman
Rachel Eubank
Peggy Fisher
Fran Fleck
Allison and Jim Fleming
Julie Fleming
Jane Fogg
Kathy Giles
Shawna Gisi
Deborah Gitchell
Diane Glass
Linda Goeldner
Brooke Goldin, in honor of Rachel Hardin
Mary Helen Grace, in honor of Dixie Hoekman
Gina Graham
Bonnie Green
Nancy Green
Courtney Greene
Carrie Hall
Virginia Hancock
Cara Hardin
Jan Hardin
Lori and Larry Hartsook
Lynn Heggen
Barbara Hein
Jane Hemminger, in honor of Emily Kessinger, Mary Riche and Kathy Stuart
Rev. Martha E. Hill
Kathleen Hoegh
Dixie Hoekman
Beverly Hutney
Stacy Jannenga
Beth Stelle Jones
Maureen Keehnle
Lola Kenworthy
Pamela Kenyon
Connie Klug
Christine Lewis
Sheila Starkovich Lingwall
Deb Madison-Levi
Kate Massop
Sandy McClelland
Dr. Andy McGuire
Cathy McMullen
Ann Michelson
Middleton Family
Robyn Mills
Diane Morain
Cheryl Morton
Maura Nelson
Liz Neumann
Charlotte Noble
Jeanne O’Halloran
Noreen O’Shea and Thomas Benzoni
Leigh O’Tool
Jo Oldson
Katie Gibson Overby
Patricia Socarras Pack, in memory of Maria A. Socarras
Laura Palmer
Mary Jean Paschen
Katie Patton
Donna L. Paulsen
Gail Pearl
Sally Pederson
Sen. Janet Petersen
Diann M. Peyton
Sarah Pritchard
Linda Railsback, MD
Olivia Rasmussen
Dr. Stacy Ray
Susy Robinette
Janet Rosenbury
Barbara Royal and Diedre Fudge
Katherine Safris
Laura Sands
Katy and Kylon Schmitt
Pam Schoffner
Eliza Ovrom
Judy Shkolnick
Marti Sivi, in honor of Sharon Goldford
Rachel Sivi
Kelly Sparks
Kathleen Stahl
Randi Stern
Ellen Strachota
Erin Strawn
Mary Stuart
Gail Stubbs
Sarah Sullivan
Sarah Susanin
Karen Novak Swalwell
Cheryl Sypal
Joyce and Harold Templeman
Marsha Ternus
Elizabeth Trausch
Karen Unrau
Teresa VanVleet-Danos
Ann Victor
Susan Vujnovich
Kjersten Walker
Marilyn Warling
Malinda Wiesner
Dee Willemsen
Jean M. Williams
Emily Williams-Bouska
Janie Wine
Barb B. Yankey
Roberta Yoder

Young Leader – $125
Julianne Bartlett
Meghan Blum
Rachel Bruns
Jessica Cezar
Molly Driscoll
Carolyn Fischer
Paige Franzluebbers
Kathryn Greenfield
Kaitie Hartmann
Christine Hilbert
Sara Hopkins
Emily Kessinger
Jenna Knox
Colleen MacRae
Ali Makris
Maggie McClelland
Kathleen McGuire
Kate Mead
Dani Musselman
Shannon and Laney Reider
Anne Roth
Shannon Schott, in honor of Jan Keese
Erica Shannon Stueve
Ann-Charlotte Wade
Emily Webb

Corporate Friends – $500+
Kemin Industries, Inc.

Table Host
Ebony and Ivory Book Club, hosted by Carol Bodensteiner and Teree Caldwell-Johnson
Sharon Goldford
Mary Gottschalk
The Graham Group, Inc.
Junior League of Des Moines
L.U.N.A. (Latinas United for a New Dawn), hosted by Sharon Goldford
Claudette McDonald and Ellen Nelson
Monika Owczarski
Katie Roth
Temple B’Nai Jeshurun

In-Kind
Connie Wilson Design

Media Sponsor
Business Publications Corporation
Business Publications Corporation


You can make a difference for
women, children and families!

Donate Now

Back to Women Helping Women homepage: www.dmpcc.org/WHW

 

Women Helping Women – Domestic Abuse

Allison Peet on April 14, 2020

Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center presents the 22nd Annual Women Helping Women event on Friday, May 15, 2020, 11:30 a.m. (Facebook event here.) For the safety of the community, in consideration of coronavirus (COVID-19), the event will be held online. Our “virtual” gathering recognizes the need for continued support for uninsured and underinsured women and children. Domestic abuse, the theme of this year’s initiative, brings to our attention a plight suffered by countless women, children, men, elders, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals.

Mary Riche, this year’s Honoree, points out “This year’s luncheon is even more important to the Center’s ongoing fundraising efforts because of the coronavirus pandemic. Participating in a virtual luncheon will make the 2020 WHW unforgettable!” For updates and information about accessing the event, please visit www.dmpcc.org/whw. The website is updated as new details become available.

Mary said, “Asking for help and naming a problem is a necessary, often emotionally painful first step to transformational change.” She emphasizes, “This is especially important for victims of abuse, because it takes immense personal courage for victims to reach out and begin the process of counseling.” She stated, “Jackie Servellon’s personal story of hope and healing as a survivor of domestic violence draws attention to this problem that may worsen since life, as we know it, has been halted and altered.”

Keynote Speaker Jackie Servellon, owner of Balloon Bar DSM, shares her experience of violent domestic abuse from parents with drug abuse and mental health problems. She said sharing her story, though “sad and shocking,” contributes to her healing. “Mental health is infinitely as important as personal safety,” she said, pointing out, “Conversation stops at [victim] safety.” She went on to say, “Mental health does not heal itself, and low-income women don’t have access to care and other resources.”

Domestic abuse hits close to home for me. I grew up in an era in which American culture recognized “wife beating,” and deemed it a family matter. No one considered emotional abuse, or the damage done to the victims’ mental health. I did not realize for many years that what I experienced in my childhood, adolescence, and adult life was, in fact, abuse. My experiences were emotionally painful, but I thought they were my fault which I have learned is common among victims. As an adult, I adhered to the belief that I could not have been abused because my experiences were not physical. My therapist here at the Center gently helps me discover and claim my strengths, my accomplishments, and my humanity, as he stresses self-compassion, and self-acceptance. He supports, encourages, and helps me celebrate my progress no matter how small. Recognizing and assigning the abusers’ responsibility was a huge step for me. I take ownership of my part in the relationship, but only mine. Today, I am confronting the memories and working to heal from them. The survival skills I developed as a child continue to inform my personality—thoughts, beliefs, decisions, behaviors. I grieve the loss of what I needed in the relationships but could not get from others as well as the loss in the termination of relationships with people I had cared about.

Sadly, not much has changed since those early days. When someone describes her or his experience with emotional, psychological, financial, deprivation, isolation, withholding affection, others often dismiss their story as trivial because they do not see injury and scars. Indeed, all domestic abuse results in invisible scars that may affect the victim for the rest of her or his life.

Domestic abuse is active and prevalent in 2020, yet we hear little about it. We become aware only when sensational or high-profile situations make the headlines, or someone publishes a best-selling book—fiction or nonfiction. Then the issue retreats into the periphery of our collective consciousness. Domestic abuse, no respecter of race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age, or disability, is ever-present in the lives of victims. Emotionally stable and strong individuals find themselves battling feelings of helplessness and worthlessness.

Often, people think of domestic abuse only in the context of domestic violence. Domestic abuse and domestic violence are interchangeable terms in that both are used to convey the same types of behaviors. Domestic abuse exists in myriad variations of the following forms:

  1. Physical, which includes barring the victim from medical care or forcing victim to use drugs or alcohol.
  2. Sexual, which includes coercion or attempts to coerce in addition to violent attacks and exploitation.
  3. Emotional, which includes decimating the victim’s sense of self and impairing victim’s relationships with family, friends, and others.
  4. Economic, which includes controlling or attempting to control financial activities, withholding financial support, and removing money from victim’s accounts against the victim’s will or without the victim’s permission.
  5. Psychological, which includes intimidation, threats of harm to victim or people or situations important to the victim— the victim’s employment, children, pets, other family members, close friends, etc.—and isolation from family, friends, and support system.

The current protective measures against coronavirus (COVID-19) place victims in their homes with their abusers for prolonged periods. Loss of income, the effects of quarantine, and the stress around the pandemic add tension to already volatile households. Around the world, advocates report distressing rises in reported domestic abuse cases. Victims have fewer places to go as employees of safe places are now also in quarantine leaving agencies with limited or nonexistent staff onsite. The result is locked-out buildings, long hold times for calls, and fewer staff to investigate. Law enforcement report similar problems.

Apart from the shame the abusers heap on victims, the victims experience shame for a host of reasons: 1) they failed ability to please the abuser; 2) bewilderment for getting into the situation; 3) they believe they have let themselves and their family down. Family members, friends, law enforcement and social services workers may underestimate the abuser’s power over the victim. As a result, they may further injure the victim’s fragile self-worth by ridiculing and blaming the victim for the circumstances in which they find themselves and downplay the victim’s precarious circumstances and mental and emotional states.

Abusers are cunning, intuitive, manipulative, and patient—until the victim is hooked. They know what their prey wants to hear and how to shame or intimidate her or him into doing what they want. They know how to threaten what is important to the person. Abusers either instill feelings of low self-worth in the victim or reinforce beliefs already in place. For these reasons, extrication from relationships can be extremely difficult and often dangerous. While abusers may have deep-seated insecurities and fears as well as their own history of abuse, they are responsible for addressing their needs rather than projecting them onto others. However, abusers often crave the intoxicating feelings of power, control, and domination over others. When they feel threatened or self-doubt, they resort to familiar means to relieve their stress.

We all can help in the effort to eradicate domestic abuse. 1) Question the appearance of new injuries; 2) Pay attention to signs of changes in the person’s mental health state; 3) Be aware of changes in someone’s behavior, communication, or questionable fixation on a partner, particularly if the relationship is new or recently altered, e.g. the partner is recently released from incarceration, home from a prolonged absence, newly divorced, married, etc.; 4) Believe the victim is telling the truth; 5) Learn about resources and safety measures that minimize further harm.; 5) Enlist assistance to remove the abuser from the home.

If you or someone you know is at risk or affected by domestic abuse, the resources listed below are available.

  • The Center plays a vital role in the hope and healing for people suffering the effects of domestic abuse. Mary Riche affirmed, “The counselors at DMPCC are skilled practitioners with wisdom and expertise to walk alongside all clients in a safe, non-judgmental environment. For information and to schedule an appointment, visit dmpcc.org, call 515-274-4006 or email info@mindspiritcenter.org.

Jackie Servillon said, “DMPCC’s funding is how we support the community and save lives. We bury communities by limiting access to mental health care.”

  • Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence 4725 Merle Hay Rd Suite 107, Des Moines, IA 50322 (515) 244-8028  https://www.icadv.org
  • Children & Families of Iowa 1111 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
    (515) 288-1981 https://cfiowa.org
  • Your community’s emergency services Call 911

Sources:

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence

  • Signs of domestic violence or abuse

https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence/signs-domestic-violence

  • Differentiating Between Domestic Violence and Abuse

https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/criminal-offense/differentiating-between-domestic-violence-abuse

  • 5 Types of Abuse, Domestic Violence FAQ

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/features/domestic-violence/2015/04/09/5-types-of-abuse-domestic-violence-faq/25520519/

  • In quarantine with an abuser: surge in domestic violence reports linked to coronavirus

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/03/coronavirus-quarantine-abuse-domestic-violence

  • Safety Tips

https://www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/safety-tips

  • 9 Ways to Help a Victim of Domestic Violence

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-help-a-victim-of-domestic-violence-66533

Billie Wade, writer

For more of Billie’s blog posts – CLICK HERE

Thank you to our 2020 Women Helping Women sponsors and donors

Terri Speirs on March 6, 2020

[smartslider3 slider=1]

as of 5/28/20, 1 p.m.

Presenting Sponsor – $10,000
Mary Kay Bruce, In Honor of Mary Riche

Leadership Sponsors – $5,000
Bank of America
Susan and Bill Knapp
Wells Fargo

Supporting Sponsors – $2,500
American Enterprise Group
AT&T
Pamela Bass-Bookey
Trudy Holman Hurd
Hy-Vee
Shirley Poertner
Polk County Board of Supervisors
Kitty Ellsworth Stoner, In honor of Mary Riche
Marti Wade
West Bank
Sally Wood
Kathleen and Larry Zimpleman

Contributing Sponsors – $1,500
Barbara Beatty
Cultivating Compassion: The Dr. Richard Deming Foundation
Delta Dental of Iowa
Des Moines University
Foster Group, Inc.
Fredrikson and Byron, P.A.
Rusty Hubbell
Iowa Radiology
Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines
Kate and Andy Juelfs
Junior League of Des Moines
MidAmerican Energy Company
Mary M. Riche
Oasis, A Paychex Company
Salon Spa W
Silver Fox
Susan and Carl Voss

Special Friends – $1,000
Linda Anderson
Anonymous
Roxanne Barton Conlin
Patty Cownie
Nora and Dave Everett
Tom and Cindy Fischer
Jann Freed and John Fisher
Barbara and Michael Gartner
Sharon Goldford, In Honor of Mary Riche
Randall H. Hamilton and Bruce L. Hughes
Mary Gottschalk
Starr and Harry Hinrichs
Norma Hirsch
Charlotte Beyer Hubbell
Ellen Hubbell
Robert Josten and Susan Judkins, In honor of Mary Riche
Nancy Main
Robbie G. Malm, In Honor of Mary Riche
Sue Mattison
Claudette McDonald
Brenda Mouw
D.J. Newlin
Cynthia O’Brien
Jill Oman
Allison and Timothy Peet, In Honor of Mary Riche
Deb and Bob Pulver Foundation
Janis Ruan
Jackie Saunders
David Shaw
Rebecca Shaw, M.D.
Rachel Stauffer and Jim Lawson
Kathy and Ted Stuart
Marsha Ternus
Toni Urban
Dr. Teri Wahlig
Connie Wimer
Alan Zuckert and Joyce Dainty

Leaders Plus – $500
Mollie Baker
Susan Ballard, in Honor of Dennis T. Cuthbertson
Kristen Benge
Janet Betts
Carol Bodensteiner
Anne Sloterdyk Brandt
Renee Clippert
Beth Coonan
Suzanna de Baca
Denise Essman
Bonnie Green
Jill Greiner
Mary Pat Gunderson, In honor of Mary Riche
Leslie Heimbach
Barbara Hein
Ann and Tom Holme
Andrea James
Martha James
Karen Jeske, In Honor of Mary Riche
Anne Kelly
Diane and Keith Krell
Marla Lacey
Joe Lee
Cheryl Morton
Barbara Nish
Beth Nyguard
Jennifer Lock Oman
Lynsey Oster
Rita Perea
Kay Riley
Anne Roth
Patrice Sayre
Marti Sivi
Kate Mead, Annie Brandt, Peter Solterdyk, in honor of their mother, Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Char Vukovich
Deb Wiley and John Schmidt

Leaders – $250
Anonymous Donor (4)
Rebecca Anthony, In Honor of Mary Riche
Sandy Axness
Pat Barry and Bryan Hall, In Honor of Mary Riche
Mary Kay Bartine
Mary Ann Beard, in honor of Mary Riche
Connie Beasley
Christine Bening
Sandy Benson Johnson, Benson Family Foundation
Beth Bishop
Connie Boesen
Nancy Bone
Michelle Book and Woody Brenton, in honor of Mary Bruce and the Women Helping Women Luncheon
Margaret Borgen
Katie Bradshaw
Dory Briles, In Honor of Mary Riche
Shelley Brody
Mary C. Brooks, In Honor of Mary Kay Bruce
Suzan Kelsey Brooks
Suzie Glazer Burt
Phyllis Cacciatore
Kevin and Julie Carroll
Marilyn Carroll
Joyce Chapman
Polly Clark
Alicia Claypool
Julie Ann Connolly
Chris Conyers
Connie Cook and Joe Jongewaard, In Honor of Mary Riche
Kim Coulter
Holly Craiger
Cheryl Critelli
Cynde Cronin
Diane Cutler
Marsha and Ellery Duke
Kelly Edmister
Katherine Elsner, D.D.S.
Karen Engman
Claudia Peyton Ewald
Peggy Fisher
Fran Fleck
Allison Fleming
Julie Fleming
Robin Fortney
Heidi Foster, in honor of Mary Riche
Beth B. Gaul
Mary Susan Gibson, In honor of Mary Riche
Judy Gilbert, In honor of Mary Riche
Kathy Giles
Shawna Gisi
Deborah Gitchell
Diane Glass and Jeff Means
Linda Goeldner
Mary Gordon
Dennis Groenenboom and Scott Hartsook
Carrie Hall
Carol Hallquist, In Honor of Mary Riche
Rachel Hardin
Renee Hardman
Katherine Hauser, M.D.
Sarah Hayes
Lynn Heggen
Victoria Herring, In Honor of Mary Riche
Trudie Higgs
Rev. Martha Hill
Barb Hirsch-Giller
Jill Hittner
Michelle Hogan
Debbie Hubbell
Dixie Hoekman
Beverly Hutney
Connie Isaacson, In Honor of Mary Riche
Linda L. Jennings
DIanne and Roger Jones
Maureen Keehnle, In honor of Mary Riche
Lola Kenworthy
Pamela Kenyon, In honor of Mary Riche
Mary Ellen Kimball
Kitchen Collage
Mary Kramer
Kathi Koenig
Mary F. Kunkel
Jennie LeGates
Caroline Levine
Tracy Levine, In Honor of Mary Riche
Sheila Starkovich Lingwall
Julie Linn
Ann Lyons, In Honor of Mary Riche
Deb Madison-Levi
Cyril Mandelbaum
Kate Massop
Lorraine May
Cathy McMullen
Kristin Medhurst
Ann Michelson
Middleton Family
Lisa Minear
Jana Montgomery
Debra Moore
Diane Morain
Jill Musin
Linda K. Neuman, In Honor of Mary Riche
Liz Neumann
Greg Nichols
Charlotte Noble
Jackie Norris
Jeanne O’Halloran
Jo Oldson
Katie Overby, In honor of Mary Riche
Eliza Ovrom
John and Mary Pappajohn
Donna Paulsen
Gail Pearl
Phyllis Pearson
Sally Pederson
Diann M. Peyton
Melissa Poley, Serendipity Spa
Deanna Questad, M.D.
Judy Ralston-Hansen
Lynette Rasmussen
Artis Reis
Mary Anne Rennebohm
Helen Robinson
Janet Rosenbury
Katie Roth
Priscilla Ruhe
Katherine Safris
Priscilla Sayeed
Pam Schoffner
Karen Shaff
Mary Kay Shanley
Judy Sheldon
Chris Sidwell
Loretta Sieman
Laurie Betts Sloterdyk
Kelly Sparks
Terri Mork Speirs
Kimberly Stamatelos
Joan Stark
Hallie Still-Caris
Dr. Jacqueline Stoken
Ellen Strachota
Gail Stubbs
Sarah Sullivan
Sarah and Andy Susanin
Cheryl Sypal
April Talbot
Joyce and Harold Templeman
Karen Unrau
Terri Vaughan
Susan Vujnovich-McRoberts
Sally Wallace
Marcia Wanamaker
Marilyn Warling
Linda Weidmaier
Tracy Wheeler, In Honor of Jan Berg Kruse
Michele Whitty
Jean Williams
Emily Williams-Bouska
Janie Wine
Mary L. Wine
Dr. Judy Winkelpleck
Roberta Yoder
Kent Zimmerman

Young Leaders – $125
Morgan Baumert
Rachel Bruns
Mary Beth Drey-Buechel
Kathryn Wheeler Driscoll
Mollie Giller
Megan Kading
Onnalee Kelley
Paige Kennedy
Emily Susanin Kessinger
Jenna Knox, In Honor of Mary Riche
Ali Makris
Sharon and Susan Malheiro
Meghan Malloy
Anna Mason
Kate Mead
Jessica Nelsen
Leigh Nelson
Katie Patterson
Erica Schaefer
Kendra D. Simmons
Gina Skinner-Thebo
Amanda Speirs
Erica Shannon Stueve
Ann-Charlotte Wade
Whitney Warne
Emily Webb
Andrea Woodard

Table Hosts – $750 / 10 reservations
Stephanie Asklof
Ann Flood
Foster Group, Inc.
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
L.U.N.A. (Latinas United for a New Dawn) hosted by Sharon Goldford
Robyn Mills
Estee Roe
Kim and Rich Willis

Special thanks to
Connie Wilson Design
Embassy Suites
Integrity Printing
XO-LP // Laura Palmer

Media Sponsor
Business Publications Corporation

Other corporate support ($250 – $1,000)
Kemin Industries

back to www.dmpcc.org/WHW

News — Mary Riche and Jackie Servellon to headline the 22nd annual Women Helping Women luncheon

Terri Speirs on December 9, 2019

The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center announces the honoree and speaker for the 22nd annual Women Helping Women luncheon

December 10, 2019, Des Moines, IA — Two highly respected community advocates will headline the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center’s 22nd annual Women Helping Women luncheon on May 15, 2020 in Des Moines.

Mary Riche, Honoree, 2020 Women Helping Women (high resolution image)

Proceeds support counseling, education, trainings and other services that impact women, children and families who are underinsured or from low income households.

Mary Riche, retired therapist and marketing professional, will be honored as an effective leader in many sectors including mental health, women’s issues, and civic engagement. Mary is a longtime supporter of the Center as a past member of the board of directors and more recently as a co-chair of the 2018 WHW event.

Jackie Servellon, local business owner and human services provider, will deliver the keynote address – sharing her personal story of hope and healing as a survivor of domestic violence. Jackie will speak on this devastating reality for many women and girls, and how the power of counseling changed her.

Jackie Servellon, Speaker, 2020 Women Helping Women (hi resolution image)

“Jackie and Mary are strong, giving and amazing women who will bring much meaning to our luncheon,” said Laurie Betts Sloterdyk, the Center’s director of development. “On behalf of the many women who seek to heal from heartbreaking life challenges – thank you to Jackie and Mary for saying ‘yes’ to serving the community in this way.”

The luncheon will be held on May 15, 2020 at the Embassy Suites by the river in downtown Des Moines. The Center expects to host 600 guests and raise more than $200,000. Since 1998 the event has raised more than $1.2 million, providing access and care to thousands of women and girls – a population who experience poverty, crime and abuse at disproportionately high rates. To follow news on the 2020 Women Helping Women luncheon and learn how you can be involved, please visit http://www.dmpcc.org/WHW. #

Related news:

The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to walk with people through counseling and education to find hope and healing, and to live a fulfilling life. Annually, the Center serves more than 2,600 individuals (including nearly 700 children and adolescents) through holistic counseling and other clinical services. Additionally, the Center serves more than 2,400 individuals annually through mental health education and training services.

For more information contact:
Terri Speirs, director of community relations
Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center
515-251-6670 or email tspeirs@mindspiritcenter.org

Thank you to our 2020 Women Helping Women co-chairs!

Terri Speirs on October 15, 2019

click image for more information

Thank you to our 2020 Women Helping Women co-chairs!

By Terri Speirs, Director of Community Relations

October 14, 2019 – The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center (the Center) is pleased to announce the three co-chairs for the 22nd annual Women Helping Women luncheon: Stephanie Asklof, Anne Rothe and Whitney Warne. For the next nine months, the three community leaders will engage Greater Des Moines to raise more than $200,000 and host more than 600 guests at the event, slated for May 15, 2020 at the Embassy Suites downtown. Funds will be used to support mental health counseling, education, trainings and other services that impact women, children and families who are uninsured or underinsured.

The co-chairs bring tremendous leadership and life experience to their role, and are motivated to serve in unique ways.

Stephanie Asklof, a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway First Realty, remembers the children and families she met in her 33 years of working as a school teacher and administrator: “My time spent with the Des Moines schools opened my eyes to the need for providing timely, effective counseling services for students and families. Often, families were faced with long waits for help, or with prohibitive costs, and sometimes those challenges seemed insurmountable.

“Through the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center, and the funds we’re able to raise through the Women Helping Women luncheon, families have one more option, one more hand reaching out to help.”

Anne Roth, strategic initiatives specialist at Iowa Business Council, sees the big picture of opportunities for the community: “The need for sliding scale counseling services is critical to our region. In evaluating where I can be most effective with my time and resources, I look to the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center as they have the history, the expertise, the leadership and the foundation to carry out the mission, which is to bring hope and healing to persons of all ages through counseling and education.

“In particular, the Women Helping Women luncheon strikes a chord with me because of its special allocation to the services dedicated to young, adolescent and adult women in our area. The need is great and lifting up populations that would not typically be able to afford services is a critically important role. We can all take steps to make sure our community is welcoming and thriving, volunteering and giving to this mission is one way I hope to do so.”

Whitney Warne, owner of Ivory House Photography and co-owner of Brand Launch and the #dsmhummingbird charm, shares her talents as a community builder: “I am honored to co-chair the 2020 Women Helping Women luncheon. I am passionate about supporting women and children’s mental health and love the mission of the center to provide quality support for all who walk through their doors.”

Whitney is looking forward to bringing her social media marketing skills to the team and getting the message of the Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center out to the masses.

22 Years of Women Helping Women
Since 1999, the annual event has raised more than $1 million for women who experience violence, poverty, trauma, depression, anxiety, abuse and other issues that can be addressed through counseling, and education.

Laurie Sloterdyk, Director of Development

“Our mission of hope and healing is deeply rooted in a community that cares,” said Laurie Sloterdyk, the Center’s director of development. “We are so grateful that Stephanie, Anne and Whitney have stepped up in a big way to lead an effort so more women and families in our community may access critical services.”

The Center is one of few providers in Greater Des Moines who serve people from all income levels, including those from low-income households who are underinsured or uninsured – with thanks to generous community support. Seventy percent of the Center’s clients who need subsidized services are women. The WHW fund not only provides critical assistance to women and families, but it also frees up other client assistance funds to serve all people based on need alone.

To access photos and a review of the 2019 luncheon: www.dmpcc.org/WHW

#
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to walk with people through counseling and education to find hope and healing, and live a fulfilling life. Annually, the Center serves more than 2,600 individuals through holistic mental health counseling and other clinical services (including nearly 700 children and adolescents). Additionally, the Center serves more than 2,400 individuals annually through mental health education and training services.