by Joyce Kyles | Oct 1, 2018 | Blog
October is nationally recognized as domestic violence awareness month. As Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. and personally celebrating my 10 year as a survivor, I invite everyone to please visit our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/walkingintoanewlifeinc/ for the very latest on upcoming events, news, and highlights of brave men and women who are surviving and thriving. We’ll also remember those who lost their lives to violence and continue our efforts to save as many individuals as possible.
WIANL is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide tangible resources to individuals affected by domestic violence. Since 2010, we’ve hosting a series of programs, town halls, and events designed to provide awareness and encourage action. We’ve been able to provide resources to include bus, gas, and gift cards, food, toiletries, clothes, and relocation assistance We continue to need financial donations, but we also need donations in a number of other areas, including volunteering. If you or someone you know would like to support our efforts, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@wianl.org or call (901) 466-6182.
by Joyce Kyles | Apr 3, 2017 | Blog
As Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc., it is extremely important to me that we continue to find ways to share tangible resources with victims and survivors of domestic violence. Our latest campaign involves something that everyone can participate in and doesn’t cost anything to do so. We’re asking everyone to help us collect old cellphones to help those in need to have safe and effective communication.
Verizon Wireless has a Hopeline program which collects old cellphones and accessories. The phones are reprogrammed and given to victims and survivors of abuse. Many times, those who are dealing with abuse are isolated from family and friends. They are connected to cellphone plans owned by their abuser. Their phones are monitored by the abuser. This keeps those who are being victimized from communicating freely. Providing them with cellphones provides them with safe communication and independence.
During the month of April, we will be assisting in this campaign. It doesn’t matter how old the phone is or if it’s broken. The style or brand doesn’t matter either. We just need the phones. If you want to help, it doesn’t matter where you are. You CAN help. Just ask how. Email us here: info@wianl.org.
by Joyce Kyles | Oct 30, 2013 | Speaking Appearances, Walking In to A New Life
The 39th Annual NOVA Conference was recently held in Columbus, OH, with Joyce Parkinson, serving as a workshop presenter. Parkinson, who is a survivor of domestic abuse, is the Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. She found herself dealing with a number of barriers during her transition which left her feeling helpless and hopeless at times. With the help of friends, a lot of research and perseverance, she created a marketing company, JP Connections and started sharing her story of transition from victim to victorious. With a background in criminal justice, years of experience in social work and her own personal accounts, she has developed a curriculum noteworthy of sharing nationally, and has caught the attention of organizations locally. The official outline/launch is forthcoming.
NOVA (National Organization for Victims Assistance), is the longest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States, having been founded in 1975. The conference is a four-day event, with hundreds of attendees from across the country who get together for a series of trainings and networking. This year’s conference was entitled “Implementing the Tools of Our Trade to Build a Comforting Justice”.
Parkinson’s workshop, entitled “Education, Microenterprise Development & Domestic Violence”, focused on best practices for educating advocates, businesses and organizations to better understand domestic violence and how to work with victims to become self-sufficient survivors. “It is easy to tell a person to leave. As advocates, we must also advise them on how to do it safely and equip them with some resources to help them with the transition. I want to help as many as possible to avoid many of the barriers that I encountered and walk into their new lives with confidence and hope.”
by Joyce Kyles | Feb 19, 2013 | Speaking Appearances, Walking In to A New Life
( Pictured from left to right: Brenda Alexander from Victims to Victory, Kristee Lane from 103.5 WRBO, Joyce Parkinson, keynote speaker & founder of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. and Rubbie King from Family Safety Center)
I had the privilege of serving as the keynote speaker at the 3rd Annual Taffi Crawford Memorial Luncheon. For those who may not be aware, Taffi’s life was senselessly lost at the hands of domestic violence February 12, 2010. Her abuser, Frank Graham, was convicted of First Degree murder in her shooting death in January, 2012. He is currently serving a life sentence.
The luncheon included a candlelight ceremony to honor those who’ve lost their lives in 2012 due to domestic violence (30 in all). Taffi’s son lit a memorial candle in her honor. Representatives from various organizations spoke about the services they provide for victims and survivors of domestic violence and their families. There was musical entertainment to go along with great food and fellowship.
In my keynote address, I talked about courage and what we could learn from Taffi’s life, as well as her death. I talked about the importance of getting involved, walking away and providing resources among other things.
I think one of the most important things to note about Taffi is that she recognized that she was in an unhealthy relationship and left. She was happy and moving on with her life. She had the support of family and friends, a career she found fulfilling and enjoyed life. Everyone spoke of how beautiful she was on inside, which definitely complimented her outer beauty. Her death is a reminder that even when an individual actually leaves their abusive situation, they may still fall victim to their abuser. No plan is 100% safe and not every abuser is willing to move on and allow their victims to do the same.
As we reflect on Taffi, Karen, Ashley and others who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence, let us remember to reach out to those who we suspect or know may be actively involved in unhealthy relationships, support them, help them transition out and follow up with them regarding their overall health and safety.
by Joyce Kyles | Feb 9, 2013 | Pamper & Support Day, Speaking Appearances, Walking In to A New Life
WIANL, Inc., in collaboration with The Circle of Inspiration, celebrated it’s 1yr anniversary of Pamper and Support Day on Saturday, February 9, 2013. Victims, survivors and advocates all enjoyed an afternoon of open, honest discussion about domestic violence, where we are in our walk and goals for healing and positive transition. In addition to the normal support group session, attendees participated in a symbolic balloon release at the conclusion of the event, having written on the balloons all of the negative/hurting/things that we wanted to ‘release’ from our lives.
After the balloon release, participants were able to partake of various foods and beverages and given Mary Kay gift bags. They were led to a separate room where stations of clothes, shoes, accessories and toiletries were available for them to take home. Haircare products, diapers and baby wipes were also available.
Pamper and Support Day was established a year ago in an effort to give victims and survivors an opportunity to relax, share experiences and be catered to, and to receive tangible basic necessities so often needed when dealing with domestic violence. Many times, victims are encouraged to leave, but not given the tools needed to do so. Pamper and Support Day is our way of providing some relief to the emotional and financial struggles that victims and survivors often face when making decisions about their situation and their ability to transition from victim to victorious.
October is nationally recognized as domestic violence awareness month. As Executive Director of Walking Into A New Life, Inc. and personally celebrating my 10 year as a survivor, I invite everyone to please visit our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/walkingintoanewlifeinc/ for the very latest on upcoming events, news, and highlights of brave men and women who are surviving and thriving. We’ll also remember those who lost their lives to violence and continue our efforts to save as many individuals as possible.
