Crisis Intervention Hotline: 330-264-9029

Domestic Violence is Real

September 21, 2021

***Names and specific details altered to protect the identity of the victims***
Jessica had been divorced about one year when she thought about dating again. This idea, almost exhausted her as she had little free time. She worked two jobs: one as a waitress and one as a part time sales clerk. She also was a single mom. Her ex-husband had moved to another state and rarely - if ever saw their two children. She was lonely. She craved adult conversation and a person to call - for no reason. She would wait on couples in the restaurant and long for a partner who wanted to take her out to eat and spoil her with flowers and gifts. Shawn was a regular at the restaurant. He was very handsome. Tall, muscular, great smile and a flirt. He always told Jessica that she looked pretty and was the best server at the place. He often asked her, "When do you get off?", but she would just smile and carry on her business. One day, Shawn came in and asked her how she was doing. Just so happens, it was a terrible day. Her electric bill was due - ($200+), her kids needed school supplies and shoes...and she had only $28.00 to her name. She normally didn't tell customers her business, but Shawn was so kind...she sort of broke down. "I'll be working all day today, because I need cash. I am in a bit of a jam...so will be a long day for me." she told him. He smiled, said that stinks and ordered his breakfast. When he left, she went to clean the table and realized that Shawn had left her a $200.00 tip - CASH! Unbelievable, no one had ever left her a tip like that. Shawn was amazing. Jessica finally agreed to a date with Shawn, and it was hands down the best date that she had ever been on. He was a gentleman, charming, funny and so attentive. He complimented her all night and even showed up at her house with flowers. SWOOON. Jessica was falling in love: hard and fast. Over the next couple of months, the relationship became more serious and she introduced Shawn to her family. No one else saw Shawn the way that she did, and frankly their opinions didn't matter. She loved him. They moved in together. One year into the relationship, Shawn wanted Jessica to quit her waitressing job. She was stressed, he made plenty of money and he didn't like the way other men would hit on her while she was working. In fact, he began hanging out at the restaurant bar every time she worked - to keep an eye on her. Shawn was starting to get very agitated when she would talk to male customers and accuse her of sleeping with them. Jessica didn't quit, but she did cut her hours. She would only work the breakfast shift from now on so Shawn wouldn't worry about the drinking crowd - and men flirting with her. Shawn also began making fun of Jessica, degrading her accomplishments and accusing her of all sorts of terrible things. If she didn't answer the phone, he would show up wherever she was - screaming and ranting. He would delete messages from her family and threaten to take his own life if she ever left. She finally got the nerve to break up and kick him out of the apartment. This is when the real abuse started: bricks through her windows, break ins to her car and home, threats to family and friends, non-stop calls to her employer and hacks into her accounts. Shawn would still show up at her work...he would vandalize her car, spit in her face and break items at the store. The police were called, but he would be long gone. No one took her complaints seriously until he tried to kill her. Jessica needed to hide from this man and escape the abuse. Thankfully, she was able to get into the local domestic violence abuse shelter until he was sent to prison. With assistance from other local organizations (funded by United Way of Wayne and Holmes) she was able to move her and her children to a new place in a new town, graduate from college and get a full time position with benefits. Every donation to United Way of Wayne and Holmes helps someone like Jessica escape a troubled path and be on the road to recovery and success. Consider a donation of any amount to Be the Light to other people just like Jessica.

Math-a-ma-joy!

By Katie Koglman • March 3, 2025
In honor of Dr. Suess, we celebrate Lisa Nyhart, our Director of Finance and Operations.

Just Love: My United Way Wayne & Holmes Journey (Year One)

By Megan Wilson • February 3, 2025
Just Love: My United Way Wayne & Holmes Journey (Year One) By: Megan Wilson It's hard to believe a year has flown by since I took the plunge and joined the United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties team. This leap into the non-profit world has been more than just a job change; it's been a deeply personal journey of discovery and immense reward. I'm constantly struck by the incredible network of individuals, organizations, and businesses right here in our community, all working tirelessly to uplift the lives of our neighbors. The sheer dedication I see every day is truly inspiring. Before joining the team, I found myself searching for a way to make a real, tangible difference. I explored different paths, but the pull towards a career focused on helping others was undeniable. I yearned for work that resonated with my core values, something that allowed me to contribute to something bigger than myself. That search led me to United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties, an organization whose mission – mobilizing community resources to help people measurably improve their lives and partnering to identify and address pressing needs for long-term, sustainable solutions – spoke directly to my heart. Stepping into this role was, admittedly, a little daunting. My previous fundraising experience peaked with the Parent-Teacher Organization at my kids' elementary school! The scope of the work, coupled with the ambitious goals, made me wonder if I could truly make a difference. But I quickly found myself embraced by an amazing work environment – positive, fun, energetic, and truly uplifting. Our CEO, Katie Koglman, has cultivated a culture of empowerment, and her belief in what we can achieve is contagious. My colleagues have shown me the true meaning of teamwork, proving that together, we're capable of anything. That feeling of empowerment is invaluable. I'm incredibly passionate about the work we do at United Way Wayne & Holmes Counties, especially when it comes to supporting literacy. Programs like Reading Under the Lights and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which we both run and fund, are close to my heart. Providing free books to kids is such a powerful way to ignite a love of reading and set them up for future success. But our commitment to the community goes far beyond just books. Every dollar we raise stays right here in Holmes and Wayne Counties, directly impacting our neighbors and strengthening our community from within. We're not just behind-the-scenes fundraisers; we're actively involved in our communities, working alongside our partners to make a real difference in the lives of those around us.  This past year has been a whirlwind of learning, growth, and connection. I've gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our community, but even more importantly, I've witnessed the incredible resilience and generosity of its people. Our work wouldn't be possible without the support of our donors and partners. I'm so grateful to be part of this organization, working alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals. People often ask what we do. We're more than just fundraisers; we're connectors, unifiers, and problem-solvers, supporting vital services that strengthen our community. I'm excited to see what the next year brings and the continued positive impact we'll make together in Wayne and Holmes Counties. I absolutely Just, Love everything about my last year!

From Setbacks to Success

By Katie Koglman • January 31, 2025
From Setbacks to Success: My Goal Setting Journey, Part 1. Author: Katie Koglman It’s 2025, and I am coming off a year that fell short of my fundraising goals. Personally, this is very disappointing – because I like to win. Professionally, it ignites a fire in me to be better next year. There were many factors that contributed to the decline in fundraising revenue; death, economic uncertainty, and some high dollar “not this year” answers from otherwise faithful corporate donors. As I reflect on my own involvement, I question my role in the defeat. Did I ask enough? Did I stay focused? Can I say, I did everything in my power? The honest answer is no. I did A LOT, but I did not do everything in my power. Early in 2024, I set goals, and I stayed focused and on track until about May …then I got lazy in tracking and measuring my goals. I will not let that happen in 2025, and I will be accountable to you. I will update you on my goal progress in June 2025 and December 2025! I use a goal framework based partly on the book The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran. Not exactly how he does it, but a hybrid for sure. I start with a list of 30 things that I want in the coming year. This list of 30 is a combination of a brain dump and visioning exercises that I do annually. I write them all down and revisit them daily. This helps me clarify – turning dreams into reality with action items. The list is a combination of personal and professional items, like: 1. I want to hit 100% of our fundraising goal. 2. I want to gross $12,000 on the Wacky, Quacky Duck Derby. 3. I want to build a great bond with my granddaughter. 4. I want to retire in 10 years. 5. I want to continue to grow relationships in Holmes County and the four corners of Wayne County. And 25 more things that I want. This helps you turn what you want into actionable SMART goals. A SMART goal is: Specific: Your goals should be clear and well-defined. Avoid vague or general statements. Instead of saying “I want to continue to grow relationships in Holmes County” say “I want to meet at least 12 new contacts in Holmes County” or “I want to attend an event weekly in Holmes County” Measurable : How will you track your progress? Set quantifiable targets that allow you to monitor your achievements. Achievable: Set challenging but realistic goals. Avoid setting yourself up for failure by aiming too high. Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Relevant: Ensure your goals align with personal or organizational mission Time-bound: Set deadlines for your goals. Now this is where I use items from the 12-week year: I look at my list of 30 and decide which 3-5 to focus on for the next 12 weeks and set up my actionable plan. I will use the Wacky, Quacky Duck Derby goal as an example and show you what my plan looks like. By increasing the amount of money we raise on the duck derby, this also grows our overall market share of donors.
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