Domestic Violence Shelters

As the universe continues to put challenges in our path, we hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this uncharted holiday season. The light of the Sun begins a new solar cycle as the Winter Solstice comes upon us Monday, December 21, 2020. This will mark the first day of winter. Winter Solstice is one the most powerful points of the year as the axis of the Earth pauses, shifts, and moves in the opposite direction. For three days around the solstice points, we will experience the power of the standstill point and the change of direction.

During these winter months, everything on earth lies dormant and its energies flow within us as we consciously link our awareness to nature's cycles. It is a sacred time of rest and reflection in addition to an understanding of our own personal growth. It is important to not let the darkness overwhelm our lives or for us to hide within it. Rather, allow the darkness to be the catalyst for personal growth and change.

With December being deeply spiritual, we thought that it was fitting to shed light onto Domestic Violence. Per the Center Of Disease Control and Prevention, they define domestic violence as "physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression and coercive acts by a current or former intimate partner”. In the United States, more than 10 million adults, women, and men experience domestic violence annually. This can result in acute trauma, long term emotional and physical pain, or even death. No race or gender is immune to domestic violence.

In 1994 Congress passed legislation that acknowledged domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes. It also provided federal resources to encourage community-coordinated responses to combating violence. This law is reevaluated and renewed every 5 years. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) creates and supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

For the month of December we are going to include two organizations that we will be supporting. They are the Bering Sea Women's Group in Nome, Alaska and the Palomar Family Justice Center in Oklahoma City. Both Alaska and Oklahoma have the highest reported domestic violence incidents in the U.S. These Organizations provide acute help, treatment, and emotional support. Furthermore, Palomer has programs for children who have witnessed domestic violence in the hopes of preventing them from being a victim or abuser.

We will be featuring a Petrified Wood heart as our charity stone. 100% of all proceeds will be split by 50% and donated in full to our December Charity.