"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Make Donation to W.I.S.H.

"W.I.S.H. Shelter Director Gwyn LaCrone and Assistant Director Peggy Birge read
aletter from Chief Smith."

MUSKOGEE, OK — The Cherokee Nation recently provided $10,000 to Women In Safe Homes in an effort to promote community partnerships. W.I.S.H. is a community organization that assists victims of domestic violence in the Muskogee area.

“It is important to offer assistance to individuals who may find themselves in unsafe circumstances,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “The Cherokee Nation is pleased to provide funds in service to an organization that helps women and children in need.”

W.I.S.H. is a private, non-profit corporation that provides services to victims of domestic violence. The organized is staffed with personnel and volunteers who are trained to provide counseling and services to individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

According to statistics provided by the Women’s Resource Center of Loyala University, every 15 second in the United States a women is beaten. In addition, according to information provided by W.I.S.H, domestic violence is the single largest cause of injury women and is a serious problem in over 50 percent of American marriages today.

“My purpose is to help everyone I can live a life that is free of violence,” said Gwyn LaCrone, Shelter Director. “The sad thing is that abuse is learned. Many of the children who witness abuse and violence in the home can become either abused or abusing.”

The goal of the organization is to help women who are or have been victims of domestic violence to achieve lives free of battering. W.I.S.H. offers a variety of services to individuals in need which include: shelter, a 24-hour crisis and rape intervention line, a 24-hour rape response team, court escorts/advocacy, counseling, emergency transportation, clothing, food and social service referrals.

According to Evelyn Hibbs, W.I.S.H. executive director, an abused person is anyone who suffers physical battering or verbal threats from a spouse or partner. Without intervention, violence often escalates in severity and frequency and can even result in death.

“These funds will be used to educate the public about the seriousness of domestic violence,” said Peggy Birge, assistant director. “We appreciate the dedication that the Cherokee Nation has shown to organizations that work to promote the betterment of Oklahoma communities. This gift is deeply appreciated. It is because of contributions like this one from the Cherokee Nation that our organization is able to provide counseling and support services to women and children in need.”