100 Women Who Care donates to What is Your Voice

Members of 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware recently gathered with staff of What is Your Voice Inc. to support its mission of addressing domestic violence in Sussex County.

Jacqueline Sterbach, What is Your Voice president and founder, and members of her team were presented with the group’s donation of $10,651.

“We are so pleased and grateful to announce a continuing partnership with the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation in Minnesota,” said Jeri Berc, founder of 100WWCSD. “They will be contributing an additional $5,000 to What is Your Voice. Previously, they provided an award of $4,650 to Lighthouse for Broken Wings.”

What is Your Voice, Inc. provides fully trained, skilled domestic violence peer support advocates using a structured therapeutic model to empower individuals and children as they work to break free from domestic violence. A comprehensive approach addresses the range of needs and challenges these women and families face as they forge their new paths.

"We are thrilled to be awarded this donation of $10,651, along with the matching gift from Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation,” said Sterbach. “Women supporting women in Sussex County – that's how we build the bridges to the future! This donation will go a long way to help the women and children we support, and enable us to continue our outreach to those experiencing domestic violence. We have plans to continue our campus expansion in order to house more women and children needing shelter and safety."

Jacqueline Valentine, who has profoundly benefited from these services, said, “What is Your Voice has been extremely instrumental in my journey of recovery from domestic and sexual abuse. I continue the journey of healing to maintain my authentic self. My past trauma does not define who I am as a woman.”

What is Your Voice remains committed to the health and welfare of the women and families it serves, as well as being responsible stewards of the natural environment. Sterbach hopes to have What is Your Voice serve as a model to its clients and the community through its installation of solar panels, energy efficiency practices, recycling and a planned community garden to address food insecurity.

This is the fifth round of collective giving by 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware. Previous beneficiaries are the Teach a Person to Fish Society, the Richard Allen Coalition, La Esperanza and Lighthouse for Broken Wings. Members each commit to donating $100 to the local nonprofit selected at each quarterly meeting. Local businesses are encouraged to partner in this initiative through matching funds. Participating businesses to date include Mariachi, SoDel Concepts and Irish Eyes.

“We encourage and welcome all women to join us in giving to, empowering and positively impacting our local communities,” said Berc.

For more information, go to Facebook for 100 Women Who Care Southern Delaware, email 100womencaresd@gmail.com or call Jeri Berc at 302-233-6897.