Marley DeFord: Supporting Victims of DV

Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my donation page!

My name is Marley DeFord and I am a member of the Jewish Teen Foundation North Board. I am beyond excited and so thankful for the opportunity to take part in this program. The Jewish Teen Foundation provides Jewish teens with the skills and support necessary to advocate and fundraise for underserved populations of people. During the time I have spent on the JTF North Board, I have learned to exhibit greater self-awareness, empathy, and humility, as well as gain many valuable life skills. I have been able to grasp a much deeper understanding of the challenges different groups endure in our world today. 

With the skills, knowledge, and opportunity we have been presented with, teens on the JTF North Board are working hard to generate positive social change within our community. This year we have decided to focus on victims of domestic violence. Individuals who have come in contact with domestic violence face countless issues, during and after the abuse occurs. Among the many things they may struggle with are mental health, finding shelter, and the most urgent issue, they could be in danger of losing their lives.

The following facts and statistics will help you better understand the pressing issue that is domestic violence. 

1. Domestic violence or abuse is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. (Center for Domestic Peace)
2. Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 12 million people every year. (NISVS 2011)
3. About 41% of women and 26% of men experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner and reported an intimate partner violence-related impact during their lifetime. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
4. It is estimated that anywhere between 3.3 million and 10 million children witness domestic violence annually. (Shelter House)
5. There are 16,800 homicides and $2.2 million worth of (medically treated) injuries due to intimate partner violence annually. (Shelter House)

After much thought and discussion, the North Board crafted a mission statement that reflects the purpose of our efforts to raise awareness and funds for our chosen population: 

The Jewish Teen Foundation North Board is committed to supporting individuals and families affected by domestic violence through organizations/initiatives that provide direct support, relocation assistance, and prevention services in order to mitigate domestic violence and help survivors approach recovery and self-sufficiency.

Donate today! Myself and the rest of the JTF North Board have worked and are working exceptionally hard to achieve this goal, however, it is your selflessness and generosity that will allow us to truly accomplish the objective of our mission statement. We (the members of the board) do all the research, so you can rest assured knowing your donation will have the greatest impact it possibly can! I deeply value and thank you for your support. Any amount is appreciated and will make a positive impact on the lives of individuals and families affected by domestic violence. If you want to help in addition to a donation, sharing this page with others would be greatly appreciated. The deadline to donate is April 16th, 2024.

If you have any questions about JTF, becoming a donor, or want to learn more about domestic violence, my email is marleydeford@gmail.com. I look forward to receiving any and all inquiries. 

Thank you so much for your time and donations. It makes an incredible impact in our community and changes the lives of the many we are advocating for!