Sarah's Friends

🎉 Wishlist Wednesday: Join Us in Making a Difference! 🎉 This October, we’re thrilled to partner with Premier Bank for our Personal Care & Comfort Drive to support families served through Sarah's Friends. 💜 Throughout the month, you can drop off donations at either the Bryan or Montpelier branch. We’re collecting essential items to help bring comfort and care to those in need, including: 🧴 Shampoo & Conditioner 🧼 Body Wash & Soap 🧦 Socks & Underwear 🛁 Lotion & Hygiene Products A heartfelt thank you to Premier Bank for their dedication and partnership! Together, we’re working to uplift and support survivors in our community. Every contribution helps bring comfort and hope to families. Let’s show our community spirit and make this drive a success! 📍 Drop-off Locations: Bryan Branch: 204 E High Street Montpelier Branch: 1050 E Main Street Thank you for your support! 💜 #WishlistWednesday #PremierBankPartners #SupportSurvivors #SarahsFriends #CommunityCare

🚨🚨 FUNDRAISER ALERT 🚨🚨 October is Bullying Prevention Month and we’re excited to share how you can get involved! 🎗️ 💙🧡 Addison Witte, Teen Miss Bryan, is taking a stand against bullying and fundraising to support Sarah’s Friends in our mission to create a safe, supportive community. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sarah’s Friends to help us continue providing crucial resources to survivors. 💙🧡 🌟 Want to help? Check out the link below to order your “Be a Buddy” gear and show your support! 💪🏼 Every purchase makes a difference. 👉🏼 Ordering link: https://ow.ly/8nsX50TM6Aa ⏳ Last day to order is 10/18/24 — Don’t miss out! Let’s work together to stand up to bullying and create a kinder, more inclusive world. 💙 #BullyingPreventionMonth #StandAgainstBullying #SupportSurvivors #SarahsFriends #TeenMissBryan #BeABuddy #CommunityUnity

💜 October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 💜 As we raise awareness this month, it's crucial to recognize the many obstacles survivors face when attempting to leave abusive situations. Leaving is not just a matter of packing up and walking away; it often involves navigating a complex web of challenges, including: 🔒 Fear for Safety: Many survivors fear retaliation from their abuser, making it difficult to find a safe escape. 🏠 Financial Barriers: Economic dependency can trap survivors in cycles of abuse, preventing them from leaving due to concerns about housing, employment, and finances. 👩👧👦 Family Dynamics: Survivors may struggle with the thought of leaving their children or fear losing custody during the process. 📉 Lack of Resources: Limited access to shelters, legal assistance, or counseling can hinder a survivor’s ability to leave safely. At Sarah's Friends, we’re dedicated to breaking down these barriers by providing support, resources, and a safe haven for survivors. 💜 Your awareness and understanding can make a world of difference. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to us. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels safe and supported. #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #BreakTheSilence #SupportSurvivors #SarahsFriends #HealingJourney #EndTheCycle

🚫💬 Bullying Prevention: Stand Together, Speak Up 💬🚫 Bullying can leave deep scars, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. At Sarah’s Friends, we stand against all forms of bullying and violence, because everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and heard. 💙 As a community, we can make a difference. Whether at school, online, or in the workplace—bullying is never okay. Let's work together to create spaces where kindness and empathy are the norm, and every voice matters. What can you do? 👉Speak up if you see bullying. 👉Support those who are affected. 👉Educate yourself and others on how to prevent and respond to bullying. If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying or needs help, we’re here for you. Reach out to Sarah’s Friends at 419-636-7272 or visit our website https://ow.ly/yf8f50TKZmO. Together, we can put an end to bullying. Let’s build a community of support and inclusion! 🤝💚 #BullyingPreventionMonth #StopBullying #SupportSurvivors #KindnessMatters #YouAreNotAlone

💜 Women’s Peer Support Group: Find Strength Together 💜 Are you looking for a safe space to connect with other women who understand your journey? Our Women’s Peer Support Group at Sarah’s Friends offers a place for survivors to share, heal, and find strength in community. 💪 This week, we’re gathering to support one another, share experiences, and empower each other in a judgment-free environment. Interested in joining? Reach out to Cathy Schmidlin for more information on date and time at 📧 [email protected]. Let’s stand together and lift each other up! 🌸 #PeerSupport #WomenEmpowerment #HealingTogether #YouAreNotAlone #SupportSurvivors #SarahsFriends

🌍✨ Happy Columbus Day! ✨🌍 In honor of the holiday, our office will be closed today. We encourage everyone to take this time to reflect and celebrate the rich history and diverse cultures that shape our world. We’ll be back tomorrow, ready to assist you! Enjoy your day! 🎉 #ColumbusDay #OfficeClosed #CulturalReflection

🎉 Happy Birthday to Heather Mendez! 🎉 Join us in celebrating Heather who has been a dedicated part of Sarah's Friends since 2023. She believes that everyone deserves to feel safe and have the support they need to succeed in life. What Heather loves most about Sarah's Friends is that we provide support to anyone, regardless of their financial situation. Her passion for inclusivity and compassion shines through in everything she does for our community. Wishing her a wonderful birthday filled with joy and love. Thank you, Heather, for your commitment to making a difference! #HappyBirthday #SarahsFriends #CommunitySupport #EveryoneMatters

🎉 Happy Birthday to Tyson Moss 🎉 Today, we celebrate not only Tyson’s special day but also their incredible dedication to Sarah's Friends. Since January 2024, he has been a valued member of our board, bringing passion and commitment to our mission. Tyson joined us after learning about the vital services and guidance we offer to crime victims in Williams County. Along with the rest of the team, Tyson’s passionate about filling these critical gaps and ensuring that everyone affected by crime has access to the care and resources they need. We are excited to have his insight and dedication as part of our leadership team. Thank you, Tyson, for making a difference in our community! #HappyBirthday #SarahsFriends #Leadership #Inspiration

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month At Sarah's Friends, we stand together to support survivors of crime in Williams County, especially those facing domestic violence. This month, we raise our voices to promote awareness and ensure that no one feels alone in their journey to healing. 💜 You Are Not Alone 💜 Consider these national statistics: >1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime. >Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been raped. >On average, 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. With Williams County's population of approximately 38,000, these statistics highlight a critical issue in our community. If these rates hold true locally, we could be facing around 9,500 women and over 4,200 men affected by severe domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, we offer confidential support, resources, and a safe space to heal. Our services include: >Crisis Intervention including safety planning >Advocacy & referral services >Emergency Financial Assistance >Housing Assistance >Support groups 📞 Call to Action: If you need help or want to learn more about our services, reach out to us today at 419-636-7272 or visit our website https://ow.ly/m8mc50TGNfK. Together, we can break the silence and empower survivors! Let’s shine a light on this important issue and work toward a community free from violence. Share this post to spread the word! 💜 #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #YouAreNotAlone #SarahsFriends

🎉 Honoring Derrick Friend, Our Dedicated Board Member! 🎉 Derrick has been a valued part of the Sarah's Friends family since 2019, starting as a volunteer and stepping up to join our board in 2024. His journey with us began after hearing a powerful survivor story that deeply resonated with him. Motivated by a desire to help those in need, Derrick has continued to bring his passion and dedication to our mission. We are so thankful for his commitment to supporting survivors and making a positive impact in our community. Thank you, Derrick, for all you do! #BoardMemberSpotlight #SarahsFriends #CommunitySupport #MakingADifference