SHARING … Victim Advocate of The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, Kim Rosales, shared not only impacting facts of Domestic Violence Victims in Fulton County, but also a poem by a survivor involved in the Trust Your Wings program. (PHOTO BY LINDSAY PHILLIPS, STAFF)
By: Lindsay Phillips
Fulton County has lost three lives in the past seven years to domestic violence, Amanda Mangas, Jill Dorsey and former Marine, Joshua McJilton.
Mangas was murdered in 2017 by her ex-boyfriend along with Dorsey losing her life in 2016 after her boyfriend shot her multiple times out of jealousy.
McJilton passed away after being shot when stepping in to help during a domestic dispute. These three lives all had one thing in common, the loved ones they left behind.
Although the lives of these victims cannot be replaced, the community can help put an end to the violence by breaking the silence.
The Center for Child and Family Advocacy provides resources on a daily basis to combat the large impact the trauma from situations of sexual abuse, domestic violence, assault, menacing by stalking, aggravated trespassing, violation of protection orders, and other violent and nonviolent crimes.
The Center offers Victim Advocacy, Criminal Justice Information and Advocacy, help with acquiring protection orders and Victims Compensation as well as emotional support and referrals.
During conversation with Victim Advocate, Kim Rosales, she shared, “We are so blessed to serve the community”
Trust Your Wings is a support group that is made up of survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault/abuse.
Entirely confidential and peer led, the group is a judgement free zone that welcomes anyone affected by these crimes.
Although working full time to give those in need the resources to better their situations, The Center for Family and Child Advocacy takes time to hold events bringing the community together in support of the many programs they offer.
On October 15, 2022, The Center of Family and Child Advocacy in Wauseon held their first Fulton County Domestic Violence Awareness event.
This event was held to remember the victims, honor the survivors and discover the resources available in the County.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m. with a vendor and resource fair, the event was located downtown Wauseon in the Fulton County Sheriff parking lot.
Although the walk/march that was originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. was cancelled due to the cold weather, it did not stop those from sharing poems and testimonies of survivors who had been impacted by the Trust Your Wings program.
Victims who had experienced abuse for years shared how much the program has done for them, and where they would be without it.
Advocates from JJ Safe House provided information for those in need of shelter. The Safe House’s mission is to provide emergency shelter for families seeking safety from domestic violence and to provide long-term healing and growth for victims that will help them establish independence and become contributing members of the community.
Another information booth was the Children’s Resource Center, which is an organization dedicated to providing support and care for children in numerous ways.
Also in support of the event was Wauseon business, Always Something LLC.
Not only did they participate as a vendor, but also provided a yummy taco bar for the event.
The food was donated to Always Something, so all proceeds went back into The Center for Child and Family Advocacy.
A fifty-fifty raffle was had with items donated from multiple businesses in the area, including four movie tickets from Sky Cinema.
Always Something donated balloons and items for the raffle ticket baskets as well as DJ equipment for the event.
If anyone is in need of these resources they’re encouraged to reach out to The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, for they are more than willing to provide the resources needed for a life change.
The Center is located at 120 East Chestnut Street, Wauseon, Ohio, and can be reached at (419)-335-4255.
Lindsay can be reached at lindsay@thevillagereporter.com