Category Archives: Announcements
Dolly and Me
Diane
Peppler Resource Center is excited to announce that the 2019 Dolly and
Me High Tea will take place on April 7th, 2019 at the LSSU Cisler
Center. Keep a lookout for updates on our facebook event page
(https://www.facebook.com/events/742268099475569) of raffle prizes as
they are received! We will have the 2019 American Girl Doll of the Year
on raffle. Check her out here: https://www.americangirl.com/shop/meet-blaire
One ticket is needed per individual attending the event. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-dolly-and-me-high-tea-tickets-54350126692.
Human Trafficking Awareness month
From the Director
Betsy Huggett, Executive Director
Happy New Year to everyone out there! We have had an amazing holiday season here at Diane Peppler Resource Center. The outpouring of support for our families was amazing beyond belief. We are so grateful for everyone who thinks of us during the holiday season. But now the holidays are over and our services have not ceased to operate. I am grateful for the staff who worked during this time and provided the best Christmas and New Year for the clients we are working with. Their commitment to our movement comes with no little amount of dedication.
January for us means a focus on Human Trafficking Awareness month. The United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose including forced labor or sexual exploitation. Our focus here is on sexual exploitation. This is being done in many ways and is here in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
What sexual exploitation or commercial sex trades can look like here would be ads for modeling careers, waitressing, nannies, and “One Day Only” recruiting. These “recruiters” are sex trade workers or pimps. They will promise big things like money, clothes, technology items, and trips. They will take them to places like Grand Rapids, Detroit, or Flint. They will blend in with the environment by meeting in places like casinos, restaurants, or shopping centers. They will advertise on Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, Backpage, or flyers posted around town.
Diane Peppler Resource Center, in conjunction with other members of the Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force, is hosting one of several educational events throughout the Upper Peninsula. On January 22, 2018 from 10:00am until 11:30am at LSSU Art Center Theater, we will have Leslie Hagan from the Department of Justice and Todd Wilton from Immigration and Customs Enforcement presenting some basic information regarding what we can do to help stop human trafficking in our area. If you can’t make that one, there will be another presentation in Bay Mills on the 22nd from 2:30pm to 4:00pm at the Bay Mills Casino Horizon Conference Center.
We look forward to seeing everyone there. I truly believe that together, once we learn what to look for, we can stop people from perpetrating human trafficking on the unsuspecting citizens of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.
White Out Hockey Game
Jessica Miles, Violence Prevention Educator
With this wonderful winter wonderland that we are living in right now I wanted to extend an invitation to attend the Lake State Lakers and Diane Peppler Resource Center for the White Out Violence game on January 12th. The game starts at 7 pm on Friday the 12th, where we will be giving out long sleeve shirts to the attendees. My hope is to turn the inside of the Taffy Abel Arena white like there was a hole in the ceiling and the snow covered all the seats.
The White Ribbon Campaign was started in Toronto, Canada in 1991 by a group of men and boys to end violence against women and girls, promoting gender equality, a new vision of masculinity, and healthy relationships. White Ribbon campaign is now in over 60 countries around the world and is one of the largest movements. The White Ribbon Campaign asks men and boys to never commit violence, stand up, and speak out against violence against women and girls. By attending the game and wearing the free shirts you are showing your support during our White Out campaign to end violence all together. We want all to be the change that society needs to end violence.
We will have informational booths and stands to visit with people and get more information. We are also always in search of volunteers that would like to help. Stop at the Diane Peppler Resource Center table and take a short survey to enter our drawing to receive the prize which will be announced during half time. I hope all can make it to show your support to end violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, Celebrating those who have survived, and Connecting those who work to end violence.
These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The first Monday of October 2017, the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission helped us celebrate by making a proclamation that the issue of domestic violence is important to each and every commissioner and it will not be tolerated. Even though DV Awareness month is celebrated in October, we believe this issue is important to educate on throughout the entire year.
Please join us on October 9th for the Annual DV Walk as we raise awareness with our sisters in the movement, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Advocacy Resource Center. We will start registration at 5:00pm and the walk starts at 6:00pm. We will be meeting at the Niigaanigiizhik Building on Ice Circle Drive. The first 300 registrants will get a hooded sweatshirt. We will have food and beverages, hope, love, and fellowship.
Together, we can end domestic violence
Modern Day Slavery in Michigan Explored
On Saturday, September 16th, the Soo Film Festival will be featuring the award winning film “Stuck in Traffic, Modern-Day Slavery in Michigan”, accompanied by the short “Anna” dealing with the same subject.
“Stuck in Traffic” is a 40 minute film that exposes the Michigan connection to the multi-billion dollar industry of Sex trafficking and explores how traffickers exploit and control their victims. It is a stark reminder that the impact that this deplorable trade has upon our communities, our children and our families cannot be ignored.
We urge you to watch this film and participate in the Q &A panel that follows. Parents and community leaders need to understand and be able to recognize the signs, so they can help our children and vulnerable adults to avoid becoming modern day slaves.
“It’s happening to somebody right now as we speak, and it needs to stop. We cannot look the other way. because when we look the other way evil is perpetuated… and this is happening to somebodies daughter, perhaps somebodies son, is being abused abused today” Tom Watkins
Project Homeless Connect coming to Newberry
Are you Homeless, or At Risk of Becoming Homeless? We are here to help you! Project Homeless Connect is coming to Newberry on August 17, 2017! The event will be located at Tahquamenon Area Schools. Doors will open from 10a.m. to 2p.m.! There will be free services, free lunch, free giveaways and goodies, kids activities, and much more!
Looking for Volunteers!
If you are interested in volunteering at the event, please register here:
http://www.123contactform.com/form-2787001/Event-Registration-Form
For more information about the event, check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/129739290944180
For more information (906) 293-4853
DPRC Blast to the Past Run
Come help us put an end to Domestic Violence. Volunteers, Runners and spectators welcome!
DPRC Blast to the Past Run to End Domestic Violence – 2017
Races:
5K Race – $30.00 – Starts at 6:45PM
1 Mile Fun Run – $15.00 – Starts at 6:00PM
American Legion Memorial Park
State Street, St. Ignace MI
For more information please
Contact Kristy
or call 906-635-0566
Dial Help Press Release
Diane Peppler is proud to announce a new program to further assist with the fight against domestic violence and sexual assualt.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://dprcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Dial-Help-Press-Release.pdf” title=”Dial Help Press Release”]
Violence Against Women Act in Jeopardy
Proposed federal budget cuts for FY18 include the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and some prevention spending from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
These budget cuts would significantly impact the availability of services not just here at Diane Peppler Resource Center but across the entire country. 
We invite you to join us in contacting our federal legislators,
Senator Gary Peters,
Senator Debbie Stabenow, and
Congressman Jack Bergman.
Please let them know that as a constituent, domestic violence and sexual assault deserve to continue to be funded through the Violence Against Women Act.
Become a Volunteer Board Member
Would you like to make a difference for the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking? We are recruiting passionate community members from all educational and professional backgrounds in Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa counties that would like to volunteer to joint our Board of Directors.
Contact our Director Betsy Huggett for more information!
