Domestic Violence - MLS Foundation

Swatting Hostility - During Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), the Michael Lynn Shatto Memorial Foundation pounded the streets promoting their "Let's Swat Out Hostility" theme. Above, Tonya Scholl, left, recording secretary of the MLS Foundation, presets Yvonne Ruby, right, with a supply of butterfly-shaped "hostility swatters" at the Farmers Market Restaurant in Carlisle.

The following is a list of some of the informative publications that we distribute.

You're Not Perfect: Escaping the Tyranny of Perfectionism
Resolving Conflict
Overcoming the Marriage Blues
How to be a Caring Dad
Coping with Frustration
Divorce: Coping with Pain
Discover New Beginnings
Surviving the Crisis of Life
Understanding your Child's Personality
Coping with Anger
The Power of Encouragement

For additional help or information call:

S.A.F.E. (717) 249-7410

S.A.F.E. - Spouse abuse finally ends. A group counseling experience for men and women providing the tools to stop relationship/domestic abuse.

Problem - Domestic abuse is a serious problem. It causes a lot of physical and emotional harm to individuals, relationships and families. Domestic abuse occurs in vicious cycles that over time only tend to get progressively worse. Just when things may seem to have gotten better, the tension begins to build again toward another hurtful explosion. Anger and power are used to control another.
Solution - Replace destructive anger, power and control tactics with self-control, respect and equality. Relationships are abusive when the love of power is greater than the power of love; they become healthy again when the power of love becomes greater than the love of power.

Bible Study Group Interaction, Instruction in Abuse Prevention, Anger Management and training in Relationship Skills. The bible lessons will focus on the Book of Acts which includes many foundational Christian truths, values, and practices. Paul serves as a model of one who was changed from being an abusive persecutor to compassionate leader, and there are many illustrations of the use and abuse of power.

Group - These serious behavioral problems cannot realistically be changed without a serious commitment of time and effort.

Christian Services Counseling Center
309 Allen Road, Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-7410

A Tribute to Our Children

Children are God's precious creation. Every birth is a blessed gift bestowed upon the parents of the child.....a gift to be shared with the family, the community and the nation.

Collectively, we celebrate the addition of a new being to our society. As a community, we share the responsibility, to some degree, for nurturing these children and preparing them well for adulthood. As a community, we also share the grief in the loss of a child....a cherished member of our society.

The unconscionable September 11 attack on America resulted in the tragic loss of thousands of innocent men, women and children. The threat of terrorist acts, such as the World Trade Center and anthrax contamination, has created a public awareness...an alert...a wake up call.

Unfortunately, there is another shameful American Tragedy - Child Abuse! Every day in America, approximately 9500 cases of child abuse or neglect are reported. Five to six abused children will die today. Tomorrow the same thing will happen...and the day after. In a year - an estimated 3.5 million precious gifts will suffer the tragedy of abuse that comes in a variety of forms; physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. Often, there aren't any warning signs, and the hurt is on the inside.

Child abuse, many times , is the result of a perpetuating cycle, spanning generations of parents who do not understand their roles and responsibilities to their children.

The key to breaking the cycle is providing education (1) to initially prevent abuse from occurring and (2) when occurring, prevent abuse from continuing.

Following the September 11 disaster, President Bush encouraged us Americans to volunteer services with community organizations - to share our talents and experience with fellow citizens and enrich the community in which we live.

I encourage you to join the crusade to prevent child abuse. It is imperative that we create a public awareness to this silent, insidious tragedy, as well, a disease that is robbing America of its most precious resource - it's children.

The Children lost cannot be replaced. Each possessed uniqueness, which is impossible to duplicate. Those who have lost children express a need for a period of healing...the length of time depending upon individual families. Perhaps, during this period, joining the effort to preserve our less-fortunate little folks who face terror on a daily basis may help fill the void created by the loss od loved ones and generate a feeling of satisfaction.

Our little folks need our help. Quite possibly, you may be the one who will give a child the same glimmer of hope that you are seeking in life.

There are a number of organizations offering Child Abuse Prevention services and information on child abuse. Some such organizations are County Children and Youth Services, ParentWorks, the Exchange Club, Michael Lynn Shatto Foundation Incorporated, Inc., Domestic Violence Services, Child Appointed Special Advisory (CASA), churches and parenting organizations.

Lovingly lifted from the speech of Russell Sutton, held during the December 2001 Candle Lighting Service in memory of lost children in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.