We’re moving!

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You should see the office right now – the packing party has begun! We’ve got music going and staff running every which way, packing supplies and materials into boxes to HOPEFULLY make it next door to the new building with as little confusion as possible. Do you think we can do it? Monday and Tuesday of next week, the staff will be transitioning the admin offices into our new home, so keep that in mind if you try calling. Grand Opening is scheduled for Thurs, Dec 17th at 11am and we’ll have an Open House all afternoon.

T.A.A.V Interviews Local Artist Marie Alfred

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Marie AlfredAlfred's Wooden Spoons

Marie Alfred is a local artist who has been working in partnership with TWC over the past month. Since October 27, 2009, Alfred has been leading workshops with T.A.A.V every Tuesday on creating “story knives” by instructing them on wood working skills. Alfred’s efforts to work with the teens helps TWC achieve its goal of providing culturally relevant activities to its participants. Below is the interview active T.A.A.V member Maya Morris did with Alfred.

Maya Morris (MM): How long have you been doing wood carving professionally?

Marie Alfred (MA): Since May 2009

MM: Who taught you to do wood carving?

MA: My grandpa Adam Fisher. He passed in 1973. He had a business called Grandfathers Teaching.

MM: Are there other crafts you make?

MA: I do water colors, drawings, and work with ivory.

MM: If someone wanted to see your work, where could they go to look at it?

MA: At the art gallery at the the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

MM: Is any of your stuff for sale?

MA: Some water color paintings and wooden spoons. The water color paintings are around $100 and the wooden spoons are $250- $300.

MM: Do you have any current projects in the works?

MA: I’m making ivory earrings.

If you would like more information about Marie Alfred and her art work please contact T.A.A.V coordinator Abby Smith at TWC or the art gallery at the Yup’iit Piciryarait Cultural Center.

TWC Annual Live Christmas Tree Sale and Fundraiser

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Thanksgiving is next week, which means Christmas is just around the corner! We have ordered a load of Christmas trees and they will be in Bethel shortly. We have a limited number of 3-5ft Noble firs for $115, many 6-7ft Grand firs for $135, limited 7-8ft Noble firs for $165 and limited 8-9ft Noble firs for $225. Call 543-3444 now to pre-order. TWC would like to thank Lowe’s Home Improvement for their labor and Northern Air Cargo for their generous donations!

2nd Annual Lead On! For Peace and Equality Conference

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October 4th -6th 2009 ** Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska

Teens Acting Against Violence (T.T.A.A.V at Lead On! ConferenceA.A.V) members Kisha Lee, Maya Morris, and Cynthia Andrew attended and served as presenters at the 2nd Annual Lead On! For Peace and Equality conference. Lead On! is a conference that unites youth leaders with community partners to develop projects to promote peace and equality in each of their home communities. At the conference T.A.A.V members participated in numerous workshops involving theatre, art and media to improve their leadership skills. Nationally acclaimed speakers like Courtney Macavinta, Gene Tagaban, Oscar Degruy and Ellen Frankenstein also served as inspiration to create positive change in the world.

One of the highlights of the conference was attending workshops and performances by The Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company (DAYPC). DAYPC is a multicultural teen group from Oakland, California that creates original performance arts pieces using song and rap, hip hop, modern, and aerial dance, martial arts, and theatre. “The Destiny Arts group was my most favorite part of the conference because they were good dancers, had a lot of talent, and taught me the five fingers of non-violence, ” said Cynthia AT.A.A.V at Lead On! Conferencendrew.

During the conference T.A.A.V members also did a 20 minute presentation about conducting violence prevention work in the Yukon-Delta. Presenting proved to be  an empowering experience for T.A.A.V member Maya Morris, “Although I felt nervous to present, afterward I was proud”. Overall Lead On! was a wonderful experience. T.A.A.V is currently integrating their new knowledge and resources gained at the conference into their violence prevention program. Stay tuned for updates!

Funds for furniture!

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The new building is coming together so nicely! Our staff ran through it on Friday afternoon (dodging Michelle and contractors!) to take some pictures of the new office and shelter spaces. The paint is drying and the floors are shiny and flawless. Yet, we’re not quite there yet! We still need to furnish these wonderful spaces. The shelter side needs beds, lamps, light bulbs and play toys etc and the administrative side could use… well everything. Thanks again to everyone who let us play around on Friday, and for all those supporting TWC in this huge project!

Donations Needed

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October  29, 2009

Dear  Supporter,

Tundra Women’s Coalition is a shelter and outreach organization serving victims of family and sexual violence in Bethel and the villages of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in southwest Alaska.  As many of you know, this region has some of the highest rates of interpersonal violence in the country.   Many families come to our doors desperately needing a safe place for shelter, food and support when they are forced to flee abuse.

Bethel residents, you have watched our new building rise from the empty, cleared lots in May to a nearly finished building in October.  Out-of-town supporters, we would like you to know that after years of planning and work, this facility was built quickly over a few summer and fall months and is a beautiful addition to our community. This building is designed to house programs and staff who respond to and prevent violence.  We chose to allocate our capital budget for building more square feet so we can maximize the number of people we can help. Now we are asking for community support in our efforts to furnish the building’s interior.

Will you help us create a safe, comfortable living space for families forced to flee violence?  The cost for fully furnishing our new building will be $100,000. Your gift will make a difference.  Many of you know that Bethel is a remote, isolated community where the costs of goods are extremely high.  Please also know that we will spend your cash donation on the critical items we need.  Below are examples of the costs of specific items:

* Light bulbs $25
* Playroom toys $75
* Area rugs $165
* Beds $525
* Outdoor play area equipment $755
* Residential couches $1225
* Dining room table and chairs $8,125

Your gift of any amount is greatly appreciated; no amount is too small or too large to reach our goal of earning $25,000 in cash support from individuals and businesses.  Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Roll, MD

Tundra Women’s Coalition Board President