Faith, Hope, and Advocay

Fankie J. Lane
PO Box 777 Breaking-Free, IN 46122
Commissionar James Martin
Commissionar Justin Rodibaugh
Commissionar Todd Peterson
Commissionar Garrit DeVries
115 W Washington St
Rensselaer, IN 47978,

1-800-933-hope

September 30, 2015

Dear County Commissioners,

I am writing on behalf of Faith, Hope, and Advocacy and the victims of Jasper County.
We are an agency that empowers victims to break free from domestic violence and sexual
assault. Due to the recent government cuts that Governor Mike Pences administration made,
our services are in severe risk of being terminated. These funds are very important to our
day to day operations and are used to assist victims who desperately need them. Last year
Faith, Hope and Advocacy provided services to 450 victims of domestic violence. Of those
served, 213 were children. Child exposure to domestic violence has a profound effect on
childrens behavioral and emotional status. There is a strong amount of research that has
proven that children who witness domestic violence will have behavioral problems,
aggression, and antisocial behaviors. Domestic violence is a learned behavior and our services
are critical to the prevention of that continuing. I write with confidence that we are
saving lives.
Domestic violence encompasses a broad range of issues from cultural, economic, social,
and political contexts. This type of violence not only affects the victim, but children, society
and the community. Studies have shown that violence against women affects a staggering
one in four women in the United States. Domestic violence does not discriminate. Every race,
sex, religion, culture, creed, or ethnic back ground is being affected. Families are being
destroyed and communities are feeling the financial burden.
Faith, Hope, and Advocacy is the only agency in our area that serves victims in this capacity.
We need our funding to provide advocacy, victim assistance, legal assistance and emergency
shelter. In addition, we provide community education through school activities, and
community outreach. We need the release of our funding so the victims of Jasper County can
continue be protected and receive support. If our agency does not receive funding, victims of
domestic violence will have no place to find refuge and will continue to suffer the
effects of their situation.
Faith, Hope, and Advocacy is committed to ending the epidemic of domestic violence
against women and children. We are committed to preventing violence by raising
community awareness regarding the pervasiveness and effects of domestic violence and
work with community partners to do so. We are committed to working towards ending the
cycle of abuse and empowering victims. I urge the Commissioners of Jasper County to react
in a proactive manner and release the funding so that the victims of Jasper County, women
and children, can still receive the help they so desperately need.
If there is any further documentation or statistic you may need, please let me know and I will
gladly provide it for you. I would like to thank you in advance for your time and support..

With Much Gratidude,

Frankie J. Lane