“Two years ago today we lost the most precious gift to come into our lives,” said Richard Calhoun. “He has never left our thoughts and our hearts.” His grandson, then 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun, died on April 12, 2010. Doctors would later describe Dominick’s injuries during a trial. His body was bruised from his head to his toes. He suffered cigarette burns and his teeth had been knocked out. His brain was swollen beyond the size of his skull. He didn’t have a chance at survival.  READ MORE HERE

ERIN’S LAW

If you were to go on Maria Shriver’s blog or her Facebook page you will see she is giving light to Erin’s law through an article I wrote for her to recognize the work I am doing with Erin’s Law.  I just returned from Virginia where I spoke to a large audience. After my speech someone in the audience called a local state senator and asked to see if he could schedule time in the morning to meet me. Sure enough he did. The next morning I was meeting with Senator John Edwards of Virginia to discuss Erin’s law. He was very positive about it all and I think it is looking promising that Virginia might just be the next state to add to this list. Right before I got on my plane Thursday to fly to Virginia I got a response back from a Georgia Senator who is going to introduce Erin’s Law next session.  READ MORE HERE

DREAMCATCHERS TALK RADIO

On Friday, April 6, Tricia McKnight will sit down one-on-one with Sharon R. Wells, on Dreamcatchers Talk Radio. Dreamcatchers Talk Radio is the first and largest 24 hour “LIVE” streaming Child Abuse Education Network. This programming is a diverse and unique format by a small team of highly dedicated experts and advocates dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of abuse; child abuse education, awareness, prevention, domestic violence, teen issues; teen dating violence, bullying, cyber-bullying, low self esteem, suicide, Male Awareness, Survivors, Missing and Exploited Children.

Wells is a writer, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Using her own personal testimony of survival for illustration, she is a passionate advocate who speaks out about prevention and awareness of sexual abuse. With a message focused and centered on encouraging hope, unwavering faith and perseverance, she guides others to realize, evaluate and triumphantly overcome the obstacles in their own lives through self-awareness and individual growth.

APRIL IS “CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH”

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is working with our partners to plan several inter-related events, all designed to heighten the awareness of the important work that’s being done nationwide to support children and families and prevent child abuse and neglect.  We encourage you all to participate in any way you can in these upcoming events. Remember, education & awareness is the “KEY” to prevention!!

Click Here to See How “YOU” Can Help

Click Here to Listen to our Community Outreach Programs

Click Here to See Our Upcoming BlogTalk Radio Shows on Prevention

Click Here to Visit Dreamcatchers EBAY Charity Store

Click Here to Add A “BLUE RIBBON” to Your Social Network Profile Pic

McKnight Kicks off Child Abuse Awareness month

Click Here to Join Our CAUSE & Support Us

Click Here to Purchase a STOP CHILD ABUSE bracelet

Consider becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer!! CASA volunteers are desperately needed. Learn more here!

Ms. Brittni Kellom is the CEO and Founder of JUST SPEAK, INCORPORATED. Ms. Kellom founded the organization in 2003, after suffering four years of severe sexual and emotional abuse from her biological father. Ms. Kellom made the choice not to speak about her abuse. Her own understanding of the importance of speaking out, has compelled her to travel sharing her story of pain and healing with others.

Brittni Kellom, CEO
www.justspeak.org

Margaret L. Hall, Founder
Southfield Domestic Violence Group
248 227-0096

MRS COMMUNITY SERVICE — ONLINE PAGEANT

Founded by: Debbie Splawn~Bunch

~ ALL WOMEN DESERVE THE CHANCE TO ***SHINE*** ~

                     Age divisions

                     Teen age 13-19

                     Miss age 20-29

                     Ms. age 30 and up

                     Mrs. (married)    **NO AGE LIMIT**

**We are now accepting applications for local titles in all states**

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is pleased to announce their new Celebrity Spokeswoman, PAULA NELSON.

Paula Nelson was born on October 27th, 1969 in Houston, Texas. Born into a family of music and entertainment, she started playing piano and singing at the age of seven. She drew early influences from singers like Jesse Colter and Rita Coolidge, whose bluesy, supple vocal style provided one of Paula’s earliest templates as she found her own voice. Texas Monthly has called that voice “torchy,” and the Los Angeles Times praised, “There’s no missing the unforced power of Paula’s singing.” Paula and the band have been playing together since the summer of 2004, and the chemistry between the band and Paula is magic, both on stage and off the stage.

Paula’s career in the entertainment industry extends beyond music, as she has appeared as a stunt double on the Friday night television series “Friday Night Lights,” and portrayed characters in films, such as Britney, the mistress of a senator played by actor Michael Madsen, in the soon to be released “Conflict Of Interest.”

The soulful, sultry, singer/songwriter is not just the daughter of Willie Nelson, but a talented and gifted artist in her own right. Now, Paula wants to go the extra mile to help Dreamcatchers for Abused Children fulfill their mission and help protect innocent children around the globe.

ARTICLE CREDIT

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is pleased to announce their new Celebrity Spokesman, LUCIANO HOLGUIN.

Luciano was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. He came into the world on June 24, 1964. His experience in the movies has been a dream come true. Luciano first acted in a play when he was in the seventh grade. Eventually, Luciano went on to perform in such movies as Third Degree, The Lights, Cowboy Funeral, Corruption.Gov, and other film projects. On November 20, 2010, Luciano was honored with the Upcoming Latino Award at the Paso Digital Film Festival in Paso Robles, California.

Although Luciano is continually cast in tough guy roles, the actors that he has worked with through the years have come to call him the “gentle giant” for his willingness to help others and for the fact that he is always willing to go the extra mile to make a film work. Some of his projects have included an awareness program for Wounded Soldiers in Marble Falls, Texas where he and other celebrities gave out autographs and interacted with the community. After working on his upcoming film Gods of Kings, Luciano hopes to work on the film adaptation of Cibolero by Kermit Lopez. He also has an upcoming film titled Tumbleweeds and Ice, from Tigertale productions, where he will play the part of Uncle Julio.

Luciano’s message to today’s young people is that everyone’s dreams can come true. The thing is, they must be willing to work had for it, what ever that dream happens to be. He also understands that life is not perfect and that people always face unforeseen challenges. This is what has motivated him to join Dreamcatchers. Life may not be perfect, but organizations like Dream Catchers are there to do their part to help many of today’s young people fulfill their dreams. Luciano wants to go the extra mile to help Dreamcatchers fulfill their mission.

24-Hour LIVE Streaming: Child Abuse Education

Programming and Hosts:

Dreamcatchers Talk Radio announces Bo Budinsky as host

Dreamcatchers Talk Radio is pleased to announce their newest radio talk show host, Bo Budinsky. Bo has had a challenging life. He has dealt with addiction, shattered relationships, abandoned careers, been homeless, shot at, broken and disgusted, and it has only been in the last year he has”come out of hiding” so to speak. He was ashamed and that shame seemed to run his life. Why? He is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and that abuse has profoundly affected his life.

Now, join Bo on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. EST with his new program “Male Awareness.” Bo is ready to tell his story and help other men who have been affected by abuse. Call in and speak to Bo, and address your questions, comments or concerns.at: 917-932-1132.

PROJECT “UNBREAKABLE”

In October of last year, Grace Brown began a photography project called Project Unbreakable. Grace uses photography to help heal sexual abuse survivors by photographing them with posters that hold quotes from their attackers. Rape survivor and advocate for victims of sexual abuse, Yvonne Moss, describes the project as a way for victims to take the power back of the words that were once used against them.

Grace plans on photographing survivors for as long as she possibly can. Her goal is to spread light, awareness, and healing for those who have been affected.

If you are interested in participating by either being photographed or sending in your own image, you may send her an email at projectunbreakable@gmail.com with the subject line “Photograph Me” or “Submission”, depending on the circumstance.

Note: Grace, or anyone else associated with this project, is not qualified to give certified advice on this subject. If you are struggling, RAINN has a free, confidential, 24/7 sexual assault hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE(4673). RAINN also has an online hotline: https://ohl.rainn.org/online/

PROJECT UNBREAKABLE WEBSITE

Not sure what Project Unbreakable is? Click here.

Can you help Project Unbreakable by donating? Click here.

Want to be apart of Project Unbreakable? Email us at projectunbreakable@gmail.com

—

Find us on Facebook & Twitter

Dreamcatchers Announcement

Benford Standley, CFO and Board Chair of Dreamcatchers for Abused Children, surprised us this evening with an amazing and heartfelt gesture. Benford helped produce a tribune film clip for Bruce Ricker. They put a DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN ANNOUNCEMENT at the end of the Bruce Ricker Tribue Reel asking that donations be made to our organization in his memory.

Bruce was very close working with Clint Eastwood for over 30 years on many projects, and was a big fan of Benford’s annual Paso Robles Film Festival and State and Fate of the Children — and the gesture of Benford’s work with Dreamcatchers and for the concerns of children and youth.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS WONDERFUL TRIBUNE TO BRUCE RICKER

For more information on Bruce Ricker, please visit:

BRUCE RICKER

For more information on Benford Standley, please visit:

Paso Robles Film Festival Website

Benford Standley’s Paso Robles Film Festival Facebook Page

(Pictured: Bruce Ricker, Benford Standley, and Clint Eastwood)

DREAMCATCHERS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN ‘CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL’

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH:  Dreamcatchers for abused Children and Debbie Bunch, the National Spokeswoman for Dreamcatchers, will be holding a candle light vigil at Coles Garden, Oklahoma City, OK on Sunday, April 15th at 7pm.  (NOTE: Date on flier is incorrect–will be changed shortly) April is National Child Abuse Awareness month and Dreamcatchers was recently named a National Sponsor for Child Abuse Awareness Month. Oklahoma is ranked 2nd in the nation for child abuse and neglect…so please join us at the beautiful Coles Garden and light a candle for abused children in our state and across the nation…the event is completely free and we will be handing out battery-operated candles to the first 1000 people!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Visit the DC Candle Light Vigil Facebook Event Page

Visit Debbie Splawn~Bunch Facebook Page

Email Debbie:

• debsadoll@cox.net