Help us Meet Our Fundraising Goal
In the 18 months since Hello Ladies has existed, I have written almost as many posts related to domestic violence. I’ve commented on stories in the headlines and I’ve shared the statistics. But only one post really mattered.
On June 18 I wrote, “Make It Stop,” after learning that my friend Kim’s sister, Kay Marie Sisto, had been murdered by her husband. This past year, I’ve watched from afar as Kim tries to go on living without her best friend (she writes at My Inner Chick).
Today, Hello Ladies is launching a fundraising campaign in honor of Kay. The funds will go to the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP), a nonprofit organization that offers domestic violence training and resources to help community activists, domestic violence workers, practitioners in the criminal and civil justice systems, human service providers, and community leaders make a direct impact on domestic violence.
Please visit our fundraising site “Hello Ladies It’s Better to Give” and make a donation of any amount. Even $4 will help. Why $4? Because I know you know at least four women who have been affected by domestic violence. You may not be aware of it, but trust me it’s happening. And organizations like the DAIP can make a difference in their lives. Help us hit our goal of 50 donors by June 30. Click here to donate.
Thank you.
Thanks Kim.
~~Tammy,
I will email your story to the directer or our chapter in Duluth, as well.
I thank you for sharing your heart-wrentching story.
Warmly,
Kim
Dear Tammy:
Thank you for sharing your story. Emotional abuse is abuse and words and actions can be as damaging as physical abuse. I will email you to discuss the legal situation. Take care.
I just wanted to post about spousal abuse
After 26+ years I took a plunge into a new situation and I’m finding it hard to find lawyers that care
My husband has been a strict do as I say man and at first it was ok but it got to the point I could not have friends family or anything, he controlled everything, life was no money for me etc
Well in October 2010 he told him he was no longer going to support me since I had health and vision issues getting a job was out of the question
All my family and oldest 3 children live 1200 miles away
He stopped buying me food, only bought tv dinners, frozen pizza, cereal and nacho’s for him and my 15 year old son
I lost 60 lbs since june 2010
I had no money at all only what my family could scrap together to send me
He stopped talking to me in October
I sleep in living room on couch
we had to heat or air in the house
he would urinate outside just to avoid going into the bathroom through living room(just to avoid me)
Since I had no way to get money out of accounts since they are only in his name
I was getting desperate, crying, so stressed, vomiting pieces of blood and no where to turn I started searching organizations for help
Since I wasn’t physically abused there was nothing nobody could do or would do
Emotional abuse is just as bad or worse then physical abuse
I was told if I get get out that I would get more help then when living with spouse so I did something that I wouldn’t normally do I had been living since October in hell so on May 10th
I was desperate so I got into the household safe(while husband was at work, left him and my son a letter and I moved out)
I took the money and moved as much of my stuff as I could in my car all by myself(I hadn’t drove since September)
I got a tiny tiny 3 room apartment I almost cried when I saw what I had to move into but knew it was better then what I was living like
I cleaned and I cleaned and the apartment is starting to grow on me
My son wanted to stay with his dad so I was heartbroken
When I went back the next day to get some more of my belongings husband had changed the locks on the doors so I couldn’t get in
I had light bill in my name so I cancelled but sadly now have a huge bill husband won’t pay, he’s still has contacted or spoke to me
I have no money so can’t hire a lawyer, took my last $40.00 to talk to one and was told husband doesn’t make enough money for him to take my case
I’ve called and called lawyers none will help me, legal aid won’t take my case
I’ve paid my rent till November, I got food,
So I enter contest trying to win shampoo, soap etc to help me survive
I wish that shelters and organizations would also include emotional neglect/abuse to their agenda’s
I have suffered for so long and finally knew I would be better off homeless then lose myself in the situation, I lasted till my children where grown except my 15 year old who won’t speak to me, my 19 year old says I stole dads money, it was my money too.
all those years I did work and paid for everything
I now have nothing and he has it all
I’m telling you my story because when you see a woman on the street she may be hurting as bad as I was and may need help
In November I may end up homeless but I’m finally getting my will power, my strength and confidence back and I’m finally learning I can be happy and I will survive somehow someway
I hope that my story might help other woman who like me are suffering in silence to do whatever you can to leave the situation don’t stay don’t take the abuse of any kind
I pray that a lawyer will help me but I keep believing that a miracle will happen and someday I may be able to help others
Thank you for letting me post
May all God’s angels walk with you on life’s dusty highway
Love, love, love right back to you Kim.
Thank you Elizabeth. I know you are a good friend to Kim.
Thank you Joan. I am sorry for your loss. I hope we can raise some money together to support the great work DAIP does.
I support this cause 100% as a board member of DAIP. I love Kim and I love her blog and her energy for doing something about domestic violence. I, too, have lost a sister in a domestic violence murder. Please support this important cause.
Thank you for posting this. I am a friend of Kim and my heart broke when she lost Kay. As women, we must help each other and say “NO” to violence for good. We can’t be silent anymore. And Kim’s blog has kept her sister “real” to us. so we can’t turn away and do nothing. My http://myinnerchick.com/
elizabeth
~~Dear, Hello Ladies,(Liz)
your support and kindness during our dark days have been so much appreciated.
I thank you with my ENTIRE heart for bringing awareness to the epidemic of
“Domestic Abuse” I shall tell Kay’s story my entire life…until my last breath, until we meet once again in Paradise.
I shall be her voice & scream this to other women::: “LEAVE TODAY. DO NOT STAY WITH YOUR ABUSER FOR ONE MORE MINUTE. NOT ONE MORE VERBAL SLAP. NOT ONE MORE PUNCH, KICK, SHOVE. NOT ONE MORE!!!!!! NEVER AGAIN!”
love love love,
Kim