
Safe Connections hosted its Tenth Annual Dinner Benefit, “Voices Ending Violence”, at the Clayton Plaza Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom, Wednesday, November 4, 2015. This signature event spread awareness of domestic and sexual violence and raised funds for Safe Connections’ prevention, crisis and therapy services.
The provocative program featured two former clients, Cari Hill and Lindsay Fischer. Cari, a former Miss Webster Groves, has entered her senior year attending William Jewell College on scholarship. This spring, she completed an internship in Washington, D.C. preparing for a career in law and advocacy related to crime victims. Cari shared her moving story about her family struggles. Lindsay, an author, public speaker and domestic violence advocate, conveyed her account anonymously at last year’s Voices dinner. She recently re-released her memoir under her real name and spoke about the ways her life has changed over the past year.
After hearing these testimonials, guests are invited to make a contribution to support Safe Connections’ mission. Board members Dannae Delano and Alexander Schoch discussed the NAP Tax Credit opportunities available. The dinner ended with Ashley’s Video, which used flash cards, not audio, to reinforce her message, followed by board member Eric Hahn’s concluding remarks.
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Safe Connections embodies a place where relationship violence and its long-term effects are addressed in complete confidence and security. Its individual counseling enables thousands of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to reclaim their lives. The 24-hour Crisis Helpline volunteers provide resources and information to survivors, family members and concerned friends. Project HART offers information about healthy relationships to adolescents at schools and other sites around the region.
- Greg Smith, Dan Sokol
- Rose-Lynn Sokol, Susan Stiritz, Karen Coburn
- Susan Kidder, executive director, Lucia Rosenbloom, Tom Guthrie
- Liz Lewis, Jim Guest, Dannae Delano, co-chair, event steering committee, Nalini Mahadevan
- Tammy Krebel, Meghan Maher, Lexi Hall, Holley Maher
- Dan Sokol, Amy and Doug Dove
- Veronica Martin, Dottie Hill, Cari Hill, featured speaker, Maurice St. Pierre-Hutti, Stephanie Regagnon
- Sarah Capobianco, Lindsey Fischer, Katie Flascher
- Event steering committee co-chairs Dannae Delano, Alexander Schoch, with Eric Hahn, Susan Kidder, featured speakers Lindsay Fischer, Cari Hill
- Eric Hahn, Deb Cottin, director of development and marketing
- Lily Seymour, Sue McCollum, Julie Hahn
- Joan Luning, Sue Griesedieck
- Amy Mistler, Marcia Niedringhaus, Ann Schmelzle
- Angela Wakefield, Vernay Anderson, Vanessa Allen, Stacey Tate, Sierra Dean, Karrie Flowers, business director
- Ilene Bloom-Ellis, director of clinical services, Stephanie Brown-Bohlen, clinical administrative assistant, Huong Tu, Patsy Spector, Casey Limmer, Carol Meers
- Youth Ambassadors-Sophie Barnes, Lauren Praiss, Annie Buck, Barrett Bentzinger, Maggie Goeppinger, Snigdha Jilakara, Maggie Lessel
- Young Professional Board members
- Deb Busch, Deb Cottin, Jennifer Clounch, Peggy Bahrens
- Mikayla Moeller, Erin Mileham
- Tammy Krebel, Deb Lavender, state representative, 90th district, Susan Kidder
- Stephen Skrainka, Peggy Guest
- Tess Duffey, Marcia Aure, Ella Cort
- Julie Hahn, Kim Bussard, Sharonica Hardin
- Brice and Ilene Bloom-Ellis, Barbara Bennett and Dr. Karl Wilson
- Michael Felton, Rhae Yancy, Tina Hissong
- Tracy McCreery, state representative, 88th district, Rob Good
- Alaina Smith, Hana Hartman, Karen Coburn, Melissa Ruwitch
- Sarah Capobianco, Lindsay Fischer, Stacey Newman, state representative, 87th district, Daniela Velazquez
- Maura Nagle, Michele Dow, Kathy Eckrich
- Lisa Price, Jamie Schlemmer
- Carrie James, Danielle Strong, Cassandra Stewart, Lia Adams, Kelly Covington, Chad and Kristen Johnson, Fallon Johnston, Stephanie and Mike Munro
- Margie and John Haug, Michele Karas, Melissa Karas, Caleb Richardson, Alice Aten
- Julie Holden, Susan Kidder, Cyndi Miller
- Katie Flascher, Stephanie Brown-Bohlen
- Susan Kidder, executive director
- Susan Kidder
- Lindsay Fischer, featured speaker
- Lindsay Fischer
- Cari Hill, featured speaker
- Cari Hill
- Speakers receive standing ovations.
- Alex Schoch discusses use of NAP Tax Credits.