Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs Calumet County Outreach Office 720 W. Fifth St., Appleton, WI 54914 107 Southside Shopping Center, Chilton, WI 53014

(920) 832-1667 www.harborhouseonline.org hhdap@harborhouseonline.org

Dear Friends of Harbor House, Kelly*, a 13-year-old Appleton girl, never asked to be born into a home where there was domestic abuse. No child does. And yet, every year, Harbor House helps hundreds of children heal from the damaging effects of domestic violence, not only to help those young victims survive in the moment, but with hope, to help them go on to thrive and not repeat the generational cycle of abuse. Part of that healing involves working with our Children’s and Family advocates, who help children understand the abuse and work with them on strategies to heal. One such strategy is helping kids express their feelings through art and creative writing. It really does help children process what they are feeling and turn the negatives around. That’s why we asked Kelly to share some of her creative writing with you. Kelly has grown up with an abusive father—a man whom she parallels here in her own words to a raging fire who leaves destruction in his wake. She and the rest of her family, she reflects, are like the ashes left behind, remnants of the people who once existed. And although such imagery is sad, your gifts to Harbor House do make a difference. Please consider a donation to continue to support children like Kelly, who shows you here that even in the devastation of living within the fire, there is hope… .

“It’s amazing that fire just keeps on burning, until there’s nothing left—nothing left but ashes.

Soon enough, those ashes will turn into dust, dissolving into the air. Where do you go from there? Wanting anything but

this. Fire sucks the life out of anything it touches. Could you imagine if it would touch you? Could you put the fire out?

When you are born, you already have the power, the will, the fire; it’s there somewhere. Though people in the world aren’t

taught to control the fire once it starts, you just expect that they’ll know to make the better decision. This is where things

get out of hand, and life turns upside-down. Before you know it, you're

the pile of ashes lying on the floor beneath the fire.

Though once you fall upon the ground, laying in a dusty pile of ashes,

the fire seems to be sitting right above you on the throne...demanding its

wants and needs—wearing the crown of control. Emotions start

swirling around everywhere like a tornado just went by and doesn’t

want to leave.

A giant monster stomps on by, smashing anything in its path. On

purpose, he makes sure to include you on the trail multiple times.

You are put to many tests, to mix up all of your emotions and feelings,

seeing how much you can handle before you explode, causing your own

fire to burn. To grow into a monster and stomp all over others just as

you were stomped upon. To put others to the test, when it’s not your

place to do so. Putting them right in front of an opening that leads to a

dark and foggy maze, as you remember when you were standing in your

victim’s place not too long before.

Or, while you are lying on the floor in ashes, you may head in another

direction, with only wanting to feel love, comfort and approval from

others…. People walk by without even noticing that you are there, or

showing one sign of care or understanding. You find no point of ‘why’

you should continue on this path of ashes left behind by the blazing

flame.

Gifts Multiplied Through Partnership

John and Sandy Nussbaum have generously donated a $20,000 matching grant for all gifts received in response to this annual appeal. Donations of any size made by Dec. 31, 2010, will be matched up to $20,000. Please ensure that you use the enclosed envelope to make your donation, so it can be credited toward the match. Just a reminder that our Generations of Hope Donor Circle continues now in its second year. If you are able, please consider joining us at one of the following levels:

Haven ($1,000 to $2,499) Help ($2,500 to $4,999) Hope ($5,000 and more) Next Generation ($5,000 or more

pledged for three consecutive years) For more information, please call Development Coordinator Maria Turner at (920) 955-9119.

Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs Calumet County Outreach Office 720 W. Fifth St., Appleton, WI 54914 107 Southside Shopping Center, Chilton, WI 53014

(920) 832-1667 www.harborhouseonline.org hhdap@harborhouseonline.org

Yet, if you can look beyond

the horizon, there’s a

wonderful and magical

existence that’s waiting for

your arrival. There, they

seem to be more eager than

you could imagine… .

The truth is, when you

listen to the others around

you—possibly at home,

school or work, close

relatives or dear friends,

a television ad or radio

announcement, Harbor House or any shelter that

supports victims of abuse or depression, or even

hopefully some kind of miracle—you discover a

whole new world of possibilities you never knew

existed.

A brand new door, or even one that’s been there

all along, opens wide and strong. Letting in

breaths of fresh air, safety nets whenever,

however and wherever you fall, and kind and

caring people who you can find trust within them,

as you learn to trust within yourself.

You learn to use your knowledge, hope, strength,

compassion and all the other ingredients you

uncover within your heart, to grow in your garden

with others, flower after flower across meadows of

pure life and innocence, joy, from love to laughter, reassurance, security and support from the people who surround you.

Always know that you are never alone when it comes to abuse and depression, the feeling of loss or loneliness. There is

help out there that is filled with security, offering knowledge that goes beyond explanation—just like what my family and I

found at Harbor House.

Never lose what’s true to your heart, and remember that nobody can control what you say, how you say it, or how you feel

inside. Nor can they burn through what you believe or your capability to do whatever it is you want to do.

You have the capability to turn the fire that once raged and left you in its trail of ashes into the fire that burns hopeful like

a candle showing the way for victims to believe we deserve just as much as any other human being.”

Thank you so much,

*Kelly’s first name has been changed and

last name withheld to maintain her safety

Printing and paper donated by ThedaCare Print Center and Appleton Coated.

“You have the capability to “You have the capability to “You have the capability to “You have the capability to turn the fire that once turn the fire that once turn the fire that once turn the fire that once raged and left you in its raged and left you in its raged and left you in its raged and left you in its trail of ashes into the fire trail of ashes into the fire trail of ashes into the fire trail of ashes into the fire that burns hopeful like a that burns hopeful like a that burns hopeful like a that burns hopeful like a candle showing the way candle showing the way candle showing the way candle showing the way for victims to believefor victims to believefor victims to believefor victims to believe we we we we deserve just as much as deserve just as much as deserve just as much as deserve just as much as any other human being.”any other human being.”any other human being.”any other human being.”