Abundant life helping hands society

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Fundraiser Page for A.L.H.H.S
http://www.abundantlifehelpinghandssociety.myevent.com
Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide furniture, clothing, household items and food at no cost to families struggling with poverty Cand other severe life challenges. These families are financially unable to furnish their own homes to even a minimal standard. We collect donations of gently used furniture, household items, Clothing, and Food. ALHHS provides the stuff at no cost to these families in need.

About Us

Mission While each organization is different, Abundant Life Helping Hands Society provides furniture at no cost to families and individuals living in poverty and with other severe life crises, such that they cannot financially afford to furnish their own homes to even a minimal standard.

Mission

The mission of the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society is to help build the capacity and capability of Abundant Life Helping Hands Society to serve their communities, and benefit of their residents and their environment.

Our #1 mission is to help victims of Domestic Violence. No one should fear to leave an abusive relationship because of loosing materialistic items. ALHHS goal is to provide furnishings to the families at no charge. Vision The Abundant Life Helping Hands Society envisions a future with enough Donations for Victims of Domestic Violence and Needy Families. Abundant Life Helping Hands Society will ensure that no child or adult must live in a home without adequate furniture, Clothing, Household items, and food.A future in which Abundant Life Helping Hands Society are leaders in the recycling of usable household furnishings.

TO DONATE ITEMS: Contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society to schedule pick up (Free) ALHHS prefers donated items to be bagged up.

TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE: Contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society for an appt. or Print out Application and submit for instant feedback.

For other inquiries, you can contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society in one of the following ways:

By telephone: 1-800-531-4862

By email: Abundantlifehelpinghandssociety@yahoo.com

By US Mail: P.o Box 216 Carbondale, PA 18407

No Child or Adult Should Have To Go With Out!

Each night in America, hundreds of thousands of people sleep in places not meant for human habitation, and they live in homes without the basic essential furnishings needed for minimum human existence. Forty percent (40%) of that population is children. Abundant Life Helping Hands Society are not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations whose mission is to provide furniture, clothing, household, food, Etc at no cost to families struggling with poverty and other severe life challenges such as Victims of Domestic Violence. These families are financially unable to furnish their own homes to even a minimal standard. Abundant Life Helping Hands Society collects donations of gently used furniture, clothing, Household items ,food Etc and provide it at no cost to these families in need.

What Abundant Life Helping Hands Society collects donations of gently used furniture, food, clothing and household furnishings, and provide them at no cost to families struggling financially to furnish their own homes. The families served by Abundant Life Helping Hands Society include the previously homeless, unemployed and working poor, battered women and children in retreat, immigrants, individuals with mental or physical disabilities, victims of fire, robbery, and natural disasters, etc. They have housing, but are faced with the harsh reality that their “home” is empty or severely under-furnished – without beds for the children, a table, chairs and dishes to share meals, or even a sofa to sit on and relax. After basic expenses such as rent, utilities, food and clothing are paid, there’s little if anything left for the common household furnishings we all take for granted.
Collectively, Abundant Life Helping Hands Society provides beds, tables, chairs and other crucial home furnishings to many Families each year. This site exists to assist Abundant Life Helping Hands Society in their missions. Abundant Life Helping Hands Society accepts major furniture donations from hotels/motels, colleges/universities, furniture retailers, manufacturers, etc.
Donate Furniture Etc.

Donation Furniture pickups are only available within a 15-20 mile radius of the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society location. Often, Abundant Life Helping Hands Society will travel 1-3 hours to pick up a sizable donation, and have the ability to transport semi-trailers as much as 400-450 miles if they can be loaded by the donor.
Thanks for your willingness to donate items to help a family in need! Please do not hesitate to contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society if we can be of any assistance to your organization.

We all run into situations that are unique. Please know that the members of the leadership team are more than happy to listen, guide and help to the best of our abilities.
You can reach us 1-800-531-4862 (currently answered by volunteers of Abundant Life Helping Hands Society ) or on the internet atWww.Abundantlifehelpinghandssociety.yolasite.com or @ Abundantlifehelpinghandssociety@yahoo.com

We look forward to working with you in the coming months and years … so that no child or adult will have to sleep on the floor.

The Abundant Life Helping Hands Society has been all hustle and bustle this new year, collaborating with community partners to ensure the efficient and organized arrival of its largest donation to date. The lives these donations is changing, continues to unfold.

Many families have benefited from the quality mattresses, dressers, chairs, lamps, linens, towels and other household items that now demand the space of our large Storage. But just as each item must be packaged and loaded up on a truck to head to its new home, new calls have been coming in like crazy. It was the hard work of many hands and able bodies that came together to deliver the donation here in the first place. Regular volunteers who discovered their strength while lifting and loading the incoming donations, to the group of retired friends who come each day to utilize their restoration skills in our organization, and the stream of households affected by their dedication, new life is found in old objects after all.This project proved not only beneficial to families in need, but was also great training and experience in giving back in the community.

Contact Us

TO DONATE ITEMS, Contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society for Free Donation Pick Up.
TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE, Contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society via phone or go on our Facebook page to print out application and submit for Instant feedback on approval or Denial. (Please note: Applicants must meet criteria guidelines and In Home Inspection )

For other inquiries, you can contact the Abundant Life Helping Hands Society in one of the following ways:

By telephone: 1-800-531-4862

By email: Abundantlifehelpinghandssociety@yahoo.com

By Mail

Abundant Life Helping Hands Society (ALHHS)

P.o Box 216
Carbondale, PA 18407

Am I Being Abused?

This wheel represents the warning signs of domestic violence. On the outside of the wheel you see “PHYSICAL and SEXUAL VIOLENCE.” From the outside-looking-in, a friend or a family member of a victim might only see this aspect and wonder why you would stay in the relationship.

At the heart the heart of the wheel you have “Power and Control”

The spokes of the wheel (see explanations below) make up the other aspects of an abusive relationship, also known as the “Red Flags” or warning signs of abuse. These tactics are more subtle and often happen concurrently and constantly (whereas physical and sexual violence tend to be more episodic). Furthermore, some of these tactics might lead up to physical and sexual violence.

Isolation–Keeping you away from family and friends so you can’t get help. This is usually one of the very first things that happens to initiate an abusive relationship.

Minimizing, denying & blaming–Making light of the abuse, deny that it ever happened, and/or blame you for the abuse.

Using children–Using children as go-betweens or leverage to get their way. For example, they may threaten to take your children away from you if you try to leave.

Using male privilege–Adhering to traditional gender roles and/or being the one to define what your role is and what his/her role is in the relationship.

Economic abuse–Taking control over the family’s finances and limiting your access to money.

Threats–Making threats to hurt you, your friends, your family, your children, or your pets. They may also make threats to leave you, commit suicide, or threaten to report you to law enforcement, social services, or have you deported. Threats are made to instill fear in you.

Emotional abuse–Any variety of verbal, mental, and emotional tactics such as name-calling, playing mind games, making you feel responsible or guilty for the abuse, or blaming you for a lack of money.

Intimidation–Using silent threats to intimidate you such as a look, action, gesture, or by acting violently toward objects (kicking tables or punching walls, destroying technology).

Am I Being Abused?

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, income or educational level. It is a pattern of behaviors in which one person tries to maintain control over their intimate partner through manipulation, intimidation, threats, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and/or sexual abuse. Domestic violence is NOT about one person wanting to hurt their partner. In fact, they may genuinely love their partner, but just not have the skills to maintain a healthy relationship.

The spokes of the wheel (see explanations by clicking on the title above) make up the other aspects of an abusive relationship, also known as the “Red Flags” or warning signs of abuse. These tactics are more subtle and often happen concurrently and constantly (whereas physical and sexual violence tend to be more episodic). Furthermore, some of these tactics might lead up to physical and sexual violence.

Has someone in your life ever said something like:

“I only like it when it’s just you and me hanging out.”
“I don’t like your friends. Let’s not hang out with them.”
“It’s your fault that I’m yelling at you.”
“I never threatened you, stop lying.”
“You are my wife, so you will cook dinner every night.”
“I should slap you for talking to me like that.”

If someone in your life is attempting to control you, they might say these types of things to prove their own power. The following red flags are the most common warning signs of abuse, and they can help you recognize what you are going through.

Someone I Know Is Being Abused

People experiencing abuse may have different reasons for staying in the relationship, so it will be difficult for them to leave. However, if someone you know is in immediate danger, the situation may require more support or action on your part, especially if the victim is not emotionally or physically able to help him or herself. How can you help them?

DO NOT

Do not physically intervene in the abusive relationship. Instead, call the police directly if you are concerned about their safety.
Do not ask the person what he or she did to provoke the violence. You do not want to lead them into believing it is their fault.
Help the victim understand what he or she is feeling. Find a private place to talk and ask open-ended and caring questions. For example, “Are you okay? Would you like to talk about it?”
Do not make decisions for the victim; rather encourage him or her to seek help. It is usually best to let him or her decide to stay, leave or seek help.
If the person being abused does leave the abusive relationship, do not not talk to anyone about their whereabouts.
If you notice that someone has a physical injury, try asking them as sensitively as possible about how it happened. Do not ignore it. If you believe they are hiding the truth, do not push them for information.

DO

Be patient throughout the process of helping them make their own decision. They may still be in the relationship because they hope that the violence will stop. It is best to help them by providing long-term support and encouragement.
Never talk about violence in the presence of the abuser. If the abuser knows that you are aware of the abuse, they may punish that person for reaching out.

Provide the person being abused with information they need to seek help.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SAFETY PLAN FOR STALKING WHAT IS STALKING?

Stalking is one person’s obsessive behavior directed toward another person, behavior that causes the victim to fear for his/her safety. The stalker usually starts with annoying, obscene, or threatening phone calls or written communications within a short time after separation or divorce. The stalker may move from harassing communication to following the victim, and staking out workplaces and home. There may be acts of violence targeted at the victim’s property, pets, and the victim herself/himself. But keep in mind that human behavior cannot be accurately predicted, so it is impossible to gauge when and if a stalker will become violent. However, remember that stalking is rooted in obsessive behavior, which in and of itself is dangerous.

WHAT SHOULD A STALKING VICTIM DO?

1) Do your best to safely avoid all contact with the stalker.

2) Inform family, friends, and co-workers of what is going on regarding the stalking behavior.

3) Report the stalking to the police and follow their advice.

4) Keep a journal or log of all stalking incidents.

5) Keep all letters, packages, e-mails messages, facsimiles, and taped telephone messages received from the stalker.

WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT

The police or sheriff’s department will actively investigate matters concerning (depends on state statute). Although it is their intention to provide you with a professional investigative service, please be advised that the police or sheriff’s department cannot guarantee that your situation will be resolved, nor can they guarantee your safety. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict human behavior. Suspects may be mentally disordered or may be substance abusers. A lethality assessment is always situational, based upon an evolving and changing set of factors. Based upon available information, the police or sheriff’s department can provide you with security recommendations, which will help you make your own decisions on how to best secure your safety. Should you feel that additional security measures are required, such as a domestic violence shelter, you are ertainly entitled to avail yourself of these measures. Your cooperation by working within the criminal justice system is necessary for the proper investigation of this matter and is greatly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact the police or sheriff’s department should any questions or concerns arise.

RESIDENTIAL SECURITY

All adults in the house should be trained in the use of any fi rearm kept for protection. The fi rearm should be stored safely and away from children. ~ Household staff/employees should have a thorough background check before employment. Institute and strictly enforce a policy that prohibits the staff from discussing family matters. ~ Be aware of any unusual packages, boxes, or devices found on the premises. Do not investigate strange objects; call the police or sheriff’s department immediately. ~ Install smoke detectors and maintain fi re extinguishers on all levels of the residence. ~ Tape emergency contact numbers on each phone in the residence. ~ When leaving the residence for a period of time, have lights, television, and radio set on a timer. ~ Have a thorough safety plan that incorporates an emergency evacuation plan. ~ Purchase a dog; dogs are an inexpensive alarm system. Hint: Dogs purchased by or familiar with 2 of 4 the stalker provide no protection! ~ Know the daily schedule/whereabouts of all family members. ~ Accompany children to school or bus stops. ~ Vary daily routines, such as your route to work, etc. ~ Require identifi cation from all servicepeople and salespeople before permitting them to enter the residence. ~ Try to park in a secured area such as a garage when possible. Inform a trusted neighbor of the situation and provide her or him with a vehicle and suspect description.

SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS

Be alert at all times for suspicious persons. ~ Positively identify persons before opening the door -- install wide-angle viewers in primary doors. ~ Install a porch light at a height that discourages removal. ~ Install dead-bolt locks on all outside doors. If keys are missing, replace all locks. You may want to replace all the locks regardless, assuming the stalker may have made a copy of the key(s). ~ Keep the garage door locked at all times. Use an electric garage-door opener. ~ Install fl oodlights around your residence that are on a timer or that have motion activation. ~ Trim shrubbery, especially away from doors and windows. ~ Keep your fuse box locked. Have fl ashlights, candles, and lanterns throughout the house. ~ Install a loud exterior alarm that can be activated from several places within the residence. ~ Maintain an unlisted phone number. ~ Any written, e-mailed, or telephone threats should be treated as legitimate and the police or sheriff’s department should be notifi ed. ~ Inform trusted neighbors of any anticipated vacation and/or business trips, and arrange for someone to pick up the mail, newspapers, etc. ~ If residing in an apartment complex, provide the manager and security guard with a picture of the suspect. ~ If you are considering purchasing a gun for your protection, weigh your decision based on these cautions:

1. The offender may use it against you.

2. Most people hesitate to shoot an intruder.

3. There is potential for accidental injury, especially if you have children in the house. (You should consider taking handgun lessons to learn proper weapon handling, safety, and familiarity, as well as the legal aspects of deadly force. Some states may require this in order to purchase the handgun.)

WORKPLACE SECURITY

If you have a security guard or agency, inform them of the situation and provide them with a photograph and a description of the suspect. ~ Have a secretary or co-worker screen calls. ~ Have a secretary or security screen all incoming mail and packages. ~ Be aware of people following you to and from work. ~ Do not accept any packages unless you personally ordered them. ~ Central reception should handle all visitors and packages. ~ Offi ce staff should be aware of the situation so they are alert to suspicious people, parcels, or packages. ~ Establish lock-and-key control: Change locks if the keys of terminated employees are unaccounted for. 3 of 4 ~ Park in a secured area if possible. ~ Have your name removed from your reserved parking spot, if applicable.

PERSONAL SECURITY

Obtain a mailbox address and fi le a change of address with the Post Offi ce. ~ Send a note to friends, businesses, etc., giving them your new address and requesting that they remove your old address from their fi les. ~ All current creditors should be given the new address and remove the old from their system. ~ Obtain a new driver’s license and fi le a change of address with the motor vehicle department, ~ Remove your home address from personal checks and business cards. ~ Destroy discarded mail. ~ Telephone lines can be installed in a location other than your residence and call forwarded to your home. ~ Place residential agreements in a trusted friend’s or relative’s name. ~ Your name should not appear on service or delivery orders to the residence. ~ Record activities such as vandalism or property damage. ~ Keep a log of the stalker’s activities. ~ Leaving a violent relationship is oftentimes dangerous and a safety plan is necessary. ~ Discuss with the police or sheriff’s department whether you qualify for a protection order. (Protection orders, when properly enforced, enhance your safety and aid law enforcement in holding the offender accountable for his behavior.)

WHAT IS A PROTECTION ORDER? (Consult state statute for specifics.)

Contact a shelter or district attorney for details on protection orders, the application process, and related details. ~ A protection order is a paper signed by a judge to protect a victim from certain people who have battered or threatened them. In some states, protection orders are available against stalkers as well. The protection order may be able to be obtained without having a lawyer. ~ Persons abused by family or household members are eligible. ~ All courts can issue orders of protection. ~ Typical process of obtaining the order: - Victim files petition with clerk of the court - Clerk provides forms and assistance - Emergency protection order is issued by judge at ex-parte hearing - Full hearing is held within 30 days; if continuance is necessary, the emergency protection order is extended for 30 days - Full order is issued after the hearing, is in place for one year, and can be renewed ~ Possible terms of the order: - Enjoin from abuse, harassment, direct, or indirect contact - Stay away orders - Award possession of the residence - Temporary child custody and visitation arrangements - Payment of shelter costs - Awarding custody of property - Counseling ~ The respondent (suspect) must be served before a full hearing can be held. Service is done by the sheriff or another law enforcement offi cer. 4 of 4 ~ Violation of the protection order is contempt of court, a Class B misdemeanor (depending on the state statute). Subsequent violations may induce felony charges.

NOTE: Please be aware that you are not necessarily safe because you have filed for a protective order. The suspect may choose to violate the order like s/he has the criminal statutes. Remain safety conscious.

RESOURCE NUMBERS

Emergency numbers: Local police/911 ______________________________________________________________________

State police __________________________________________________________________________ Victim/witness services ________________________________________________________________

Emergency shelter: YWCA shelter _________________________________________________________________________

Local domestic violence shelter _______________________________________________________

Legal help: Victim/witness services ________________________________________________________________

Local domestic violence shelter _______________________________________________________

Lawyer referral services _______________________________________________________________

Prosecutor’s office ____________________________________________________________________

Court clerk (protection order) _________________________________________________________

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

www.ndvh.org 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

National Stalking Resource Center: 1-800-FYI-CALL (394-2255)

www.ncvc.org/src (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. EST)

Our Services & Resources

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
To reach our 24-hour crisis line, call 1(800)531-4862.
To reach our main office, call 1(800)531-4862.

If you or a loved one feels abused, threatened, scared, or unsafe in an intimate partner relationship, ALHHS can help you.

Crisis Line:

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are or someone you know may be experiencing domestic violence, you can reach our emergency hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1(800)531-4862. Our trained staff can answer your questions and get you the help you need.

Court Advocacy:

The court system is a difficult process that you do not have to go through alone, and the process itself is worth the time to get you (or someone you know) the freedom from a former abusive partner. Our trained court advocates provide initial help and support needed to begin the legal process.

My Survival Story

“I’ll never leave you” I whispered to my children as I put them to bed. My body heavily beaten with noticeable marks. Agonizing pain preventing myself from fulfilling my motherly duty. The tears blocking my vision. I felt helpless. “I don’t know how I’m going to fix this, but I will. I’ll get us out of this somehow, I promise.”

It was the promise that I had been making to them every night since the first time he brutally beat me and threw me down a flight of steps, that I had been making to myself for as long as I could remember.

It was a promise that was broken by a marriage that I couldn’t get out of; a life that I couldn’t escape from. Daily beatings i endured for no reason if he came home from work aggravated. Bound by abuse, financial dependence, the lack of a support system, a legal system that I didn’t understand, and five children that needed me, I was trapped.There were many mornings that I stood looking at my reflection in the mirror, not recognizing the face that stared back at me covered in bruises ; a face so lost, so drained of hope, void of any emotion but pain. “Who was that girl looking back at me? Surely that cannot be me” I would think to myself as my gaze settled upon the bruise around my eye. “I had hopes, I had dreams. I had plans for my life, for the lives of my children.”

Yet the mirror doesn’t lie and the person staring back at me was nothing more than the shell of the person I used to be, the person I could have been. I prayed every day for the abuse to stop. A man with such a strong Narcissistic behavior controlling me was indeed a frightening life to live. I would always say to myself “I’ll just leave him” I would think. “I’ll pack up the kids and go. We will go to a shelter, they will keep us safe.”

“They will keep us safe until what?” I thought to myself. “They will keep us safe until my husband’s petitions for the custody of my children? I can’t afford to hire an attorney and I can’t fight a legal system that I don’t understand; especially when domestic abuse is considered a spousal issue and not always taken into consideration as a custody factor.Instead of being protected by the eyes of the law, Myself the VICTIM was scrutinized and blamed.

Thanks to some research I had done on the subject, I knew that 70% of abused women will actually lose custody of their children to their abuser simply because they often cannot afford an attorney to go up against the one their abuser has, Also because women who are abused become mentally unstable due to such a traumatic event that had occurred in their life.

Even if I was able to leave with my children, I didn’t know where I would go from there. The local shelter only provided six weeks of housing and then what? If I couldn’t afford to get divorced, I would still be legally tied to his income. I wouldn’t qualify for daycare assistance while tied to his income, so I would have no one to watch my children if i found work. If I couldn’t work, how would I feed them? How could I get an apartment while I was still tied to a an existing apt we had together, owned by an attorney? To make matters worse, his financial control over me had used up my savings and buried me in debt over the years; I had nothing left to fall back on. What options did I have? Leave without my children or take them with me and not be able to feed or shelter them? So with that I stayed. I set aside concerns of my own well being, as many mothers are forced to do, and I did the best that I could do to take care of my children in the only way I knew how; I sacrificed myself. As I stood over my children one night, looking down at one of the only things I had left in a life that had burned down around me, I had no idea how I was going to overcome the destruction that had ravaged my life. Eventually I crossed paths with an attorney who saw my situation and reminded me that the only way I was ever going to have a future, was if I was free from my past. I’ll never forget her saying to me “You need to get out of this if you ever want a future” and I gave her the most honest truth that I had; “I can’t afford to get out of this, I can’t afford to have a future.”

Despite my inability to pay her, she fought for me, for my children, and for my life. Just a week away and my attorney was being transferred to another state, I felt let down. I simply lost faith. Another attorney proceeded to take over her case and then all went downhill from there.

I was severely scrutinized by courts, Dyfs etc. They placed my children with their father and i was only allowed supervised visits , which never happened due to parental alienation. My Newborn was injured due to lack of supervision in their custody. Our children were sent to foster care. I still had no chance to fight for custody because my ex manipulated the courts to believe i was unfit to care for my 5 children i had given birth to and raised for many years.

Because of him, it has been 6 years since i haven't seen my children. I still felt trapped in his Narcissistic controlling ways. With my ex’s fiance stirring the fire with fuel, Our court cases got very disorganized and messy. So i walked away.

Moving from state to state, House to house and back and forth, I finally got tired and threw my hands up and said to myself “ I refuse to let this man control me or even scare me.” I made a pact with myself that I'M A SURVIVOR and i will live a happy healthy life with my Beautiful new husband, who loves me dearly. Nothing makes me any more important than them except that I was lucky enough for someone to look past my broken heart and see the person that I really was. We are all worthy, we are all deserving of a life free from abuse, and it’s about time we stop failing our women. Everyone deserves a future and sometimes they just need a little help fighting for it. If a woman is fighting for her life, she shouldn’t have to fight alone. With so many shelters, programs, and services available to abused women, let’s not forget how much more these women still need.Take a minute to think of the women who are fighting to be not only the mother’s that they deserve to be, but are simply fighting for their lives. We all deserve the chance for a future. All i can do is pray my children will forgive me for saving my life.

I m a Survivor and that's my story! This is what Prompted Myself and Family to open ALHHS.