Category: BF NEWS

Tiffany Gambill Bio

Hi! My name is Tiffany Gambill, I am bubbly, outgoing and super optimistic! I am getting over a cold so that throws me off my game. I am quiet at first, but once I get to know you my true colors will show. Speaking of True Colors, I am pretty awesome orange. In my group at TWC the orange group had to decide what it means to be orange, I instantly shouted out, “YOLO!” You only live once. I try to live life to the fullest; we never know how much time we have. I can make friends with a rock and I can cheer anyone up through humor. Laughing is a priority, it is great, it makes you feel amazing, it makes people more open appearing, everyone can laugh no matter the background, it can help you overcome a tough time and it also is a workout on your abs, not really but I like to think so. Music is another top priority of mine, it can lead everyone to laughter and it just gets people out of their environment and puts them in their own little amazing world, at least for me. It helps me think, I know it sounds weird, but in complete silence I hear everything and I am worried I may make the wrong noise, so music is my white noise that just makes my day better.

I am from Massachusetts, a town called Bridgewater it is southeast; I hate cold so winters in New England are never fun. I grew up camping down in Cape Cod for the summer, you have to visit Cape Cod, and it is beautiful, when it is not raining. I lived in Bridgewater but I attended a private catholic high school in Taunton, MA, called Coyle & Cassidy. I moved to Dartmouth, MA for college when I was 18. I went to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, they raved of the handicap accessibility, and I soon found out that they lied completely. But I didn’t want to transfer because I joined a sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, the love and support from these ladies was one of a kind and I don’t think I could find that if I transferred. My best friend in my sorority lives in Arlington, so now we live a metro ride away, it’s great. I know this will sound bizarre but I often forget I am “disabled” and I realized it when I mentioned lack of accessibility, so I have Friechreich’s Ataxia (FA), it’s a muscle disorder, it’s not a fun thing to have but it is what it is, it has made me the person I am today.

So in college I was a women studies major, because I wanted to help end Human Trafficking internationally. Then I had a thought, that my wheelchair would not be able to tackle the lack of accessibility internationally. When I graduated I took a Domestic Violence training through D.O.V.E., mainly, because they had a night on Human Trafficking. After the first few meetings, I became much more devoted to the issue of DV. When the trafficking night came, they informed us that many human trafficking cases are DV cases. The training helped me realize DV has every issue that I am passionate to help ending. I took another DV and sexual assault training class, which led me to want to volunteer to be a SANE medical advocate. By the time I was done with the training, I was getting ready to come here so I did not participate in the SANE program. DC is perfect for many human rights and social work issues, so in this economy where I need experience to help find a job, I thought what better way than to get DV experience in DC! And here I am.

Thanks for the Memories

After over a year spent in the Becky’s Fund office, I have so many wonderful experiences and memories. I began this internship not knowing much about domestic violence except that it’s bad and people are generally against it. Beyond learning all of the statistics, sad truths, and controversies surrounding dating and domestic violence, I’ve been completely surprised at the alternative ways to protect one’s self from the cycle of violence.

Family: Yes, it’s obvious and cheesy, but it’s too easy to take for granted having good relationships with family members. These are generally the people who know you best and have to stand by you no matter what. Family members are also the best resource for detecting when your moods and behaviors have significantly altered, which can be difficult to recognize about yourself.

Friends: Friends are yet another group of people that can be neglected when you have an intimate partner that takes over a large portion of your life. Take the time to keep up and maintain your friendships because these are the individuals who are most likely to tell you that they see a problem in your relationship. Friendships improve mental health and give you an outlet to air your relationship grievances in a safe space, whether or not there is dating or domestic violence in your life.

Love: A college friend once remarked on a burgeoning relationship that “relationships should be easy in the beginning,” which has inspired me ever since. We’ve all heard the saying that relationships take work, but the work should start later. If a relationship is that volatile early on, it’s unlikely to suddenly get better. There is enough drama in all other aspects of life; I want love to improve the quality of my life and not make it harder.

Acceptance: Acceptance isn’t about just accepting someone’s flaws, but also accepting when something is or is not going to work out. At Becky’s Fund, we talk all the time about the warning signs of domestic violence and how people always seem to miss them. I believe sometimes we do see the warning signs but choose not to accept that they are enough of a reason to let go of a relationship.

Occupation: The more you keep yourself well-rounded and occupied with various activities, jobs, and hobbies, the more satisfied you are likely to feel about your life. Isolation from family and friends by an intimate partner is the easiest way for a perpetrator to get away with abuse, especially if there is physical evidence. As a friend recently told me (filled with sarcasm), “Guys love it when the girl they date drops everything that made her interesting and becomes a shell of her former self.” You start a relationship because you find a person interesting and stimulating; those are traits that should never change.

I’ve learned so much this year from Becky, all the interns with whom I worked, the friends I made, and the volunteers, participants, and attendees with whom I spoke. I leave this organization feeling more than adequately prepared for life and feeling secure that I have a place to turn if I ever need assistance.

So thank you all for the many wonderful memories,

Katie Huppi

One Woman’s Old Car is Another Woman’s Lifeboat

With stores already decorating for Christmas, the season for spending and advertisement bombardment will quickly come upon us. In the midst of this, it is always refreshing to be reminded of the true season of the holidays – spreading cheer by giving the gift of hope and freedom. One domestic violence victim was given this priceless gift by the generous Kat T. and Bo Chokbengboun. Kat donated a car to Becky’s Fund and Chokbengboun has provided service support for necessary repairs. The car will be going to a survivor with three sons, and a newly found sense of independence.

Donated car is on its way to be fixed.

“I am ready to be a survivor. I have been a victim for far too long. Even more so, I am ready to start living,” said the domestic violence survivor. Having experienced domestic violence in her past, Kat understands the importance of having a vehicle to escape and live an independent life from the abuse. “My very first car was sold to me for very cheap from my Mom. It was my ticket to freedom in a city that didn’t have good public transportation options. I wanted to give that sense of freedom to someone,” explained Kat. Most often people question victims on why they do not seek freedom from their abusers immediately. What many do not realize is that a victim, most often, does not have a “next step” planned once they are able to leave. This stalls their departure. Similarly, as a mother of three boys, our new survivor struggled with figuring out how to leave her abuser without putting herself and her sons into an impossible position. In addition, the “Sip With Socialites” happy hour event on October 25, 2012 at the newly renovated Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place raised over $3,000 to help refurbish the donated vehicle that will be given to our new survivor. With the help of Becky’s Fund, this woman has been able to lay out a plan to leave her abuser and can now create a new and safe beginning for her and her sons. This is the true meaning of the holidays.

Becky’s Fund Thanks White Star Investments

Thank you Rueben Bajaj and White Star Investments for your support of 2012 Walk This Way and Becky’s Fund. Without your help, this event could not be possible and we thank you again for your sponsorship.

About White Star: White Star Investments is a privately owned real estate investment and operating firm based in Bethesda, Maryland. White Star specializes in acquiring under-marketed retail real estate investments and proactively building asset value. At White Star their goal is to be the most innovative owner and developer of quality real estate assets in the markets.

Click here to see more about White Star Investments!

Becky’s Fund Thanks Anchyi Wei Design Studios

Meet Anchyi Wei, concept designer and stylist for the female portion of this year’s WTW, worked with designs from Marti, Bishme Cromartie, Charm Georgetown, Anchyi Wei Design Studio and Melissa Vap and injected domestic violence awareness into the show by having laced-veil and haute-couture sunglasses worn by the models.

Thank you Anchyi Wei for making 2012 Walk This Way a fabulous event!

See her amazing designs from 2012 Walk This Way here

Becky’s Fund Thanks Kojami

Click here to view photos and videos from event

Kojami Inc. enabled Becky’s Fund to take a HUGE step technologically as the event (and other previous events in 2012) was marketed via mobile before, during and after the event. The events application also provided a venue for sponsors and partners to reach their potential audience via mobile advertising through Becky’s Fund mobile network. The live-stream to mobile phones and computers in the region and beyond during the event, was seen by almost 3 times the amount of attendees, sparking hundreds of positive conversations regarding the topic of domestic violence within 24hours.

Click here to view photos and videos from event Click here to view photos and videos from event

Becky’s Fund Thanks NRG Energy

Becky's Fund thanks NRG Energy for their help and support of 2012 Walk This Way. This wonderful event would not have been amazing without your help.

About NRG Energy: NRG Energy is a Fortune 300 company, NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. Whether as the largest solar power developer in the country, by building the nation’s first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers.

To read more about NRG Energy Click here.

Becky’s Fund Thanks The Front Page Restaurant

Their brunch menu of extremely delicious chicken dippers, Pork sliders and veggie platters added flavor to the overall experience through the entire event.

About The Front Page Restaurant: The Front Page has been around for almost 23 years, and in those years they have built an extensive industry family.

Click here to see The Front Page daily specials.

Thank you The Front Page Restaurant for your support and contribution to 2012 Walk This Way and Becky's Fund. We hope you enjoyed the show and look forward to working with you in the future!

Becky’s Fund Thank’s Maggie O’Neill and O’Neill Studios

Maggie O’Neill is a Washington, DC based fine artist and the Creative Director of O’Neill Studios, the decorative painting company she founded in 2001.

Ms. O”Neill helped design the 2012 Walk This Way backdrop, furniture and runway set. She assisted, with the talent of Design Operative in constructing the sun glass backdrop on stage for the runway. O”Neill Design Studios” great work in interior design and construction is evident in notable restaurants including OYA, Sei, Sax, Thunder Burger & Bar in DC, Panache Restaurant in VA., and many more! Thank you, O”Neill Studios for helping make #2012WTW a great success this year!

To see more work from O”Neill Studios click here

The Washington Post

From the Washington Post:

2012WTWBaker

There aren’t many 330-pound linemen who can properly walk a fashion runway, but Chris Baker did it, and did it gracefully. He was joined at the Walk This Way charity fashion show by Redskins teammates Lorenzo Alexander, Kedric Golston, Reed Doughty and DeAngelo Hall, and Caps players John Carlson and Karl Alzner.

To read more about 2012 Walk This Way and to view images, visit washingtonpost.com.