Category: BF NEWS

My time at Becky’s Lee Women’s Support Fund (Becky’s Fund) allowed me to receive an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of domestic violence. One of my favorite aspects of Becky’s Fund is its emphasis on prevention by focusing on education programs. I learned that Becky Lee started the nonprofit organization in 2006 when she noticed the lack of educational programs for today’s youth on domestic violence. This past summer Becky’s Fund worked with over 100 high school male athletes at Friendship Collegiate with its Men of Code (MOC) program. I was honored to be a part of the MOC team as I traveled to and from Friendship Collegiate Academy in helping instruct the young men, plan activities, and even leading a lesson. I acquired leadership skills, communication skills, and computer skills. I could not have asked for a better way to spend my summer. The rapport and interactions I had with the young men and MOC team will stay with me as I plan to work with youth in my career.

In addition to assisting with MOC, I had a chance to work as a domestic violence advocate. As I built rapport with the survivors, Becky Lee would advise me along the way on my role as a survivor’s advocate. I learned that it is important to present resources and information as options rather than demands. While it is important to respect and be there for the survivors, it is more important that I tell her the things she needed to hear with honesty. At the beginning, I struggled with being “too nice.” Over the course of time, I was more professional by detaching myself as her friend and, instead, stated facts and let the survivors make the decisions. By the end of the internship, I learned how to interact with someone vulnerable without sacrificing my work ethic.

The internship with Becky’s Fund has become one of the most valuable ones in my college career. I have seen what Becky Lee has accomplished, motivating me to pursue my passion in criminal justice and to not be intimidated by the hard work or people that will come up along the way.

Because Becky’s Fund has help me in numerous ways, I doubt that my help will end with the internship. I look forward to continuing my support in its mission in ending domestic violence.

My semester at Becky’s Fund truly exceeded my expectations of an internship. As a psychology major, I chose to work at Becky’s Fund with the hopes of learning more about victims’ services and support systems. What I got out of my time here was that and so much more. I was able to do hands on work while learning a wide variety of skills, I made connections with others working with Becky’s Fund, and I learned an incredible amount about the effort to end and prevent domestic violence that fueled my passion for the cause.

As a Programs and Outreach Intern, I worked with everything from event planning to college presentations to research projects. One of my tasks was handling administrative tasks for events such as the Tough Mudder Race and 2013 Walk This Way Fashion Show. Through this process I learned the importance of organization and clear communication in order to plan a successful event. Getting to see the 2013 Walk This Way unfold in the end was a beautiful experience. My main task at this event was to be a greeter at the front entrance. Becky’s Fund has really helped me to discover new strengths in myself, such as public speaking and a energy I get from working with people.

Another prominent part of this semester was the chance to present to college classes on the issue of dating violence and unhealthy relationships. Along with Becky and two other interns, I would travel to local university classrooms and present the facts of these issues in a clear way. I was nervous before the first presentation, but I quickly learned how much I enjoyed teaching these students the importance of awareness and what they can do to help the cause. Even though I was the one teaching others, this is possibly where I learned the most about statistics and methods for preventing domestic violence.

I was also able to expand my knowledge through multiple research projects that I worked on throughout the semester. I focused on a variety of topics including: how PTSD in military veterans impacts relationships and can lead to domestic violence, how passport laws effect immigrant women and their children when trying to escape an abusive relationship, and the relationship between domestic violence and mental health issues. These research projects were ideal because they allowed me to combine my interests and major with the mission of Becky’s Fund.

In addition to this wide range of responsibilities, I got the chance to work with victims on a personal level. I had the opportunity to interview and create and intake form for one woman, which is later used to determine what resources are most appropriate for Becky’s Fund to provide. Near the end of the semester, I was also fortunate enough to be asked to support woman during her court hearing. I was there in person to provide support after the hearing and I continued to follow up with her regarding the progression of her case and to provide emotional support.

I was genuinely impressed with the variety of responsibilities that Becky gave me this semester, and I cannot wait to take everything I learned here with me into other aspects of life. I learned the art of multitasking, how to remain calm under pressure, how to have fun at work by creating relationships, that I am a better public speaker than I previously thought, that I enjoy planning events, that I am very capable of having a role in stopping the cycle of domestic violence, and that I will continue to contribute to this mission in any way I can. Becky’s Fund is an admirable organization that looks beyond helping victims after an attack by focusing on education as means of prevention and spreading awareness to people of all communities. I now know so much more about the issues and rights of victims, and I am happy to say that my passion for the issue has only expanded while being here at Becky’s Fund. I cannot wait to see all of the accomplishments that Becky’s Fund is sure to achieve, and I am eager to spread awareness on the issue of domestic violence wherever my life takes me.

  A group of students are filing a complaint against their university, University of Connecticut, with the U.S Department of Education Civil Rights Office for failing to “adjudicate sexual misconduct properly and failing to stop harassment on campus as required under the federal gender equity law Title IX.” One of the girls filing tells her story of how when she was raped two years the perpetrator was quickly expelled. However, when he appealed two years later, he was readmitted with no warning to the victim. Another of the girls tells how she experienced hate crimes and sexual harassment for a long period. However, she never got the help she requested from the University. According to the article, “University police suggested she keep a low profile and wear a hat on campus.” It appears that a number of the women at this university, and probably many other schools as well, are not satisfied with the measures being taken in cases of sexual harassment and assault. “The Clery complaint could lead to financial penalties levied against the university by the Education Department.” What else can be done to create a more long term change in attitude of universities like this? Brought to you by the Sponsors of 2013 Walk This Way Fundraiser at the Italian Embassy on November 8th, 2013 CLICK HERE for tickets and sponsors Read the rest of this article HERE

Working with Becky’s Fund has been an eyeopening experience. When I began my internship, I hoped to learn more about the causes of domestic violence and how to eradicate it from my university campus and my community. I hoped to use my communication skills to start the conversation about domestic and dating violence. I hoped to get people talking about an issue that is swept under the rug in so many instances. As my internship with Becky’s Fund comes to a close, I realize I got everything I hoped for and so much more.

Throughout my internship with Becky’s Fund, I have been able to use my skills in communication and design in many ways. It was so rewarding to take photos and promote Becky’s Fund’s activities and news stories on the web because I started the conversation about domestic violence and got people talking about breaking news concerning domestic and dating violence. Also, I was afforded the opportunity to create promotional materials for both the Tough Mudder fundraiser and Walk This Way fashion show. Working closely with other Becky’s Fund team members on all of these projects taught me more about what Becky’s Fund is really about: teamwork, camaraderie and compassion to bring about the end of domestic violence.

Becky’s Fund is an amazing organization that prides itself on four pillars: foster awareness, encourage advocacy, promote activism and create support. I was able to assist on projects that addressed each and every one of these pillars and it was very rewarding! I have never had the opportunity to be thrown into important projects and pushed to succeed, but that’s what Becky’s Fund is all about. It is why we help more than 120 families a year, because of the compassion and dedication it takes to help victims become survivors.

I also had the opportunity to work closely on the Men of Code program and I could not have been happier to see how much the football players at Friendship Collegiate Academy absorbed the information. From class discussions to group activities and skits, the players showed an aptitude at understanding leadership, masculinity, sexual assault and bystander intervention that I did not expect. It was a pleasant surprise to see the players open up about their past experiences and to discover how they can handle situations differently in the future. There is nothing else in the world like seeing the impact a few people can make on a group of boys who will become our future leaders. I can only hope they take what they learned during the program and apply it all to their lives after the program is over.

I learned so much more about the causes and effects of domestic violence on women living in my community. I spoke with survivors and heard their stories. I educated others in my community about domestic violence and started the conversation about this issue. Overall, my experience at Becky’s Fund was incredibly rewarding, there is no other word for it.

As a Government and Politics major focusing on public policy and advocacy, I could not have chosen a better organization to intern with than Becky?s Fund. The organization, which aims to foster awareness and provide support for victims of domestic violence, provided me with an eye-opening and educational experience that allowed me to build necessary and competitive skills to use throughout my career.

As an intern for a non-profit focused on domestic violence, I gained a better understanding of violence against women and the underlying problems that surround it.

My name is Natalia Langner; I am a senior at the University of Montevallo majoring in Social Work and Psychology. I was born in the Ukraine and was adopted in 2005. As a child, I witnessed many accounts of domestic violence (dating violence, violence between married couples), which planted a need to be involved in making change. I received an opportunity to study in D.C. for the summer through the Washington Center, and I wanted to intern in an area that focused on human trafficking or domestic violence.

Over the past three years, I have developed a passion for advocacy and a desire to assist the vulnerable and the oppressed. In my first year of college I worked on a project involving human trafficking and since then, I decided to incorporate this learned knowledge of injustice to make a difference in some way as a future career. Working as an intern at Becky’s Fund is a wonderful opportunity to continue my work with victims of domestic violence, as well as obtain further experience that will guide me in my future endeavors as a Social Worker and an advocate. I am looking forward to learning more about domestic violence and the numerous ways that we can work together to assist the victims as well as being proactive in informing our communities of such crimes.

My name is Yasmin Fallahkhair and I am currently a senior, Government and Politics major at the University of Maryland, College Park. Originally from Potomac, Maryland I have always had an interest in public policy and advocacy. Growing up so close to Washington DC, I knew that I would want to work in the capital to gain experience and understanding of the causes that different organizations are working on and the policies that are being made to address these issues. My goal is to continue my education and receive my masters degree in Public Policy so that I may continue to reach out and provide assistance to those in need.

While interning at Becky’s Fund, I am interested in learning more about domestic violence and the methods of reaching out to help victims of abuse.  Unfortunately, domestic violence is a rising issue in society today, however, due to organizations such as Becky’s Fund more and more women are seeking support and overcoming the abuse they are faced with. As an intern at Becky’s Fund, I am passionate about helping those who are unable to help themselves and look forward to promoting awareness of domestic violence and creating support for victims of abuse.

My name is Taylor Soldner and I attend the University of Missouri where I am studying strategic communication and business. I am excited to be working with Becky’s Fund this summer because it advocates not only to end domestic violence but also to educate people on the issue. Attending a large university has given me the opportunity to interact with many different types of people. All too often I see and hear violence against women in the way boyfriends interact with their partners, in the way women are treated at parties and in the way people post comments belittling women on social media. Our college campus culture of alcohol and partying exacerbates these issues and in a way, endorses them. We need to educate people, and students especially, that this college culture allows them to think violence is acceptable. It’s very important to start with students because they are the future leaders and decision-makers of our country. If we can educate them effectively, we will be on our way to ending domestic violence. Therefore, Becky’s Fund is the perfect opportunity and experience for me to help educate people on the issue and start the conversation about domestic violence. People do not talk about domestic violence very publicly, so they are able to distance themselves from the issue. I hope to help start the conversation as the communications intern. Also, I am passionate about volunteering and hope to help with the various educational workshops and fundraisers for Becky’s Fund. As a woman, this issue is very close to my heart. I hope to learn more about the issue and what I can do after my experience at Becky’s Fund to help end domestic violence in my community.