SAFE Berks

Karima Archie has been involved with SAFE Berks for 15 years, starting out by answering the hot line. Karima talks to Christine about the misperceptions that people have within and outside of the Muslim community about domestic violence. She states that It's not the religion - Her religion teaches that every is equal but roles might be different. It is important to provide services that are culturally relevant and all people have the human right to feel safe and be able to live to their fullest potential.

Pastor Steve Ohnsman - Board Member has had 18 years experience with SAFE Berks. He and Christine talk about the road blocks the faith community may put up that impact people receiving support services. No one person is more powerful than another and all are equal in the eyes of God. The role of SAFE Berks is bigger than ever.

Christine Gilfillan, Associate Director at SAFE Berks, talks about the evolution of Berks Women In Crisis and the recent transition to SAFE Berks. After 40 successful years of growth and response to the diverse needs in the community, the organization changed its’ name to SAFE Berks. Christine talks about the growth that has taken place over the years. Starting initially as a crisis shelter, more and more services were added as the organization and multiple education programs were added as well. Find out how the new name came about and why the change sets the stage for continued growth as SAFE Berks strives to provide the tools necessary for a SAFE Berks Community.

Gloria Rosado, a social worker at Penn State Health St Joe’s tells with Christine Gilfillan, the Associate Director at Berks Women In Crisis, that safety for all people, women and children is her driving passion. Gloria lost her mother to domestic violence when she was just 6 years old. She has devoted her life’s work to protecting others. First working at Berks Women In Crisis, then with Youth Services and now as a social worker. She is co-chair of the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Advocacy Task Force. As a first responder at a clinic, she works in tandem with Berks Women In Crisis making connections. Gloria reinforces the multitude of resources at Berks Women In Crisis, assuring women they don’t have to do anything right away. She says, “BWIC is a safe place to connect and get information.” A web of care has been created by BWIC and the task force is in place providing appropriate services to keep our community safe.

Gwen Gage, founder of Gage Personnel is a past board member and board president of Berks Women In Crisis. Gwen is passionate about BWIC and got involved when domestic violence became an issue in her family. Gwen learned that domestic violence can happen to anyone, anytime when her daughter was a young college student and the unthinkable happened. Gwen says a friend told her about BWIC and it was there that she and her daughter found the necessary resources to heal and begin anew. Gwen and her daughter will be part of a panel discussion at Penn State Berks on November 27 and the Celebration Of Peace at the DoubleTree on December 12. Gwen shares her story with Christine Gilfillan, Associate Director at Berks Women In Crisis.

Tasha Isaac is the Director of Education and Community Outreach and oversees the prevention and education services. The depth and breadth of the education programs BWIC offers is little known. Tasha talks about the journey of change that our youth go through after attending Camp Peace Works. The transformative change empowers children to make a difference.

Tasha fell in love with anti-oppression work. She was sold on the work when she watched people going through a change process. Camp Peace Works has been described as a social justice camp. Tasha says, “It’s a way to bring awareness to young people and watch them understand how the world around them works”. Tasha adds, “We talk about oppressions that are specific to young people … These oppressions are the root causes of the violence we see today.”

Listen to Tasha as she details the impact on people’s lives as a result of this work.

Berks Women In Crisis provides shelter and other intervention services and also has a very robust prevention education program. Matthew Bailey is a BWIC community educator and a change agent. Matthew was attracted by the BWIC’s ideology of "never violence" which is also his personal belief. Matthew does not believe people should ever be disempowered.

He says, “I see a lot of young men who have no concept of respect and the qualities of being loved and caring. I spend a lot of my time trying to get people to see outside the box and see how you can be masculine without being aggressive or violent. “ He is continually surprised by all the mis-information that is out there in the community. For example, he says a girl or woman should be able to wear whatever she wants and you should be able to control yourself. Matthew is surprised that people still don’t know these things.

One of his biggest challenges is dealing with people who are set in their ways. Matthew says when he hears grown men saying sexist or racist things he has to gauge whether he feel safe enough to let them know what they are saying is not OK. He notes “The biggest struggle is gauging your safety while trying to make positive changes.” Find out how the quest to make positive change has changed Matthew

Tara Anspach used to be a resident at Berks Women In Crisis and now she volunteers at the shelter because she says, “I want to use my experience to help other women and children.” Tara talks about the challenge it was for her to be at the shelter because at the time she had to leave her 3 children in someone else’s care. She said the loving and supportive staff was the most helpful part during a very traumatic experience Tara says, “Domestic violence is so misunderstood. The abuse is not always physical sometimes it’s, mental, financial, and or emotional. People think you can just leave a relationship and it’s not always that simple … leaving a relationship is the most dangerous time in a domestic violence relationship.” Tara is grateful for the counseling BWIC provided which empowered her to make changes. She switched careers and has a new outlook on life. She and her children are together and they no longer have to live in a house where there is a lot of fighting.

Susan Fromm has been involved with Berks Women In Crisis for over 30 years. She was introduced to BWIC by a friend at work who was looking for help to market a movie fundraiser. As she worked on this committee she wanted to know more about BWIC. She liked what she saw and the ways BWIC helped victims of domestic violence. Susan asked to join the board and went on to serve as Vice President and President leading the board through lots of transitions and growth.

Susan spearheaded the development of Emma Lazarus Place which is a townhome complex for women and children that included child care on site. It quickly became a place for families to get a fresh start and earn degrees that put them on a new life trajectory. Susan took a break from the board for a bit but is back and serving again during this 40th Anniversary Year. Tune in to hear about innovative prevention education and community engagement programs.

Susan Fromm has been involved with Berks Women In Crisis for over 30 years. She was introduced to BWIC by a friend at work who was looking for help to market a movie fundraiser. As she worked on this committee she wanted to know more about BWIC. She liked what she saw and the ways BWIC helped victims of domestic violence. Susan asked to join the board and went on to serve as Vice President and President leading the board through lots of transitions and growth.

Susan spearheaded the development of Emma Lazarus Place which is a townhome complex for women and children that included child care on site. It quickly became a place for families to get a fresh start and earn degrees that put them on a new life trajectory. Susan took a break from the board for a bit but is back and serving again during this 40th Anniversary Year. Tune in to hear about innovative prevention education and community engagement programs.