Midland Rape Crisis and Children's Advocacy Center

Giving Tuesday is approaching, and we find ourselves deeply grateful for the incredible generosity and support of everyone in our community. Your contributions, whether through volunteering your valuable time or making monetary donations, are instrumental in enabling us to continue our vital work in the Permian Basin. As the year draws to a close, it's an excellent opportunity to reflect on your philanthropic goals. Have you had a chance to complete all of your annual charitable contributions? Your donations make a significant difference, allowing us to sustain and expand our programs and services. If you feel inspired to give or seek other ways to get involved, we invite you to visit our website at buff.ly/3Qv0LSO. Here, you can find more information on how to donate or support us in various ways, helping us achieve our mission and make a lasting impact on the community.

***Crayon Drive*** The Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center is hosting a Crayon Drive. We are accepting donations of new boxes of crayons. You are welcome to bring them by the center, which is located at 1700 N. Big Spring St., Midland, Tx., 79701, or we can come pick them up from you at your place of business. Contact Brooke Manuel via telephone at (432)235-3095 or email at [email protected] if you have any questions. Deadline for donations is 12/16/24. Thank you for your support.

Meet Board Member, Tahmeeda! She is a Supply Chain Management professional serving in the oil & gas sector for more than 17 years. Tahmeeda has worked in both Bangladesh and the USA! She holds a master's degree in English literature from the University of Dhaka. Tahmeeda got involved with the MRCCAC due to her passion for community service and the significant impact MRCCAC has within the community. Her favorite part about serving on the board is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of clients, and to work alongside a dedicated team committed to advocacy and support. Some fun facts about Tahmeeda are that she loves traveling and exploring new cultures. She is also a dedicated advocate for Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, volunteering as a Diversity and Inclusion Champion at her organization. Tahmeeda also serves as the Global Growth Director of the Women's Employee Network at her organization. Thank you for your passion Tahmeeda!

Our Mission The mission of the Midland Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center is to: - ease and heal the emotional trauma of the victim and the family; - guide the victim through the maze of the medical and legal systems; - provide support for making informed decisions; and, - advocate for victims’ needs. Call (432) 682-7273 or visit buff.ly/3Qv0LSO if you have questions or are in need of services.

#ThankfulThursday Thank you, Corky's Sweets & More, for your generous donation of sweets at our Movie Night in Howard County! Her love for baking began early, around age five or six, when she started creating treats inspired by her grandparents. Courtney fondly recalls learning to make Divinity candy with her grandmother on her dad’s side and picking fresh apples and pears from the trees at her grandparents’ house on her mom’s side, transforming those ingredients into homemade cakes. From that point on, she was always drawn to the kitchen, a place of creativity and connection. As Corky’s Sweets & More grows, so do Courtney’s dreams of opening a brick-and-mortar business. Baking is her love language, and through each creation, she hopes to share a piece of her warmth and kindness with everyone she serves. Thank you for helping create a core memory for the community Courtney! We appreciate the generosity of your business.

Thank you to Complex Community FCU for your support! They donated items to our Midland, Andrews, and Howard County offices. Our clients will undoubtedly appreciate the warmth and comfort of the blankets you so kindly donated. Complex Community FCU consistently demonstrates their commitment to our cause by stepping forward and assisting in any manner possible. Whether it's through financial donations, volunteer efforts, or providing essential items like these blankets, their involvement makes a significant impact on our community. We are incredibly thankful for their continued partnership and dedicated support, which helps us to better serve our clients and meet their needs. Your generosity truly makes a difference, and we are fortunate to have you as part of our community network. #ThankfulThursday

At the MRCCAC, we firmly believe that education serves as a fundamental pillar in safeguarding our community. In 2023 alone, we successfully educated over 12,000 individuals, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent abuse and protect themselves and others. As we approach the end of 2024, we are eager to extend our reach even further, aiming to educate an even larger audience. Research has consistently shown that children who receive abuse prevention education are less likely to fall victim to perpetrators. By equipping them with the right information, we can help them recognize warning signs and develop the confidence to seek help when needed. Our educational programs cover a broad spectrum of topics, from recognizing inappropriate behaviors to understanding the importance of setting personal boundaries. For those interested in learning more about our educational initiatives or seeking further clarification on the programs we offer, we encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected]. Our team is always ready to provide detailed information and support to anyone interested in joining our mission to create a safer, more informed community.

As October comes to a close, we remind you of the resources available to you or someone you may know. Call the Domestic Abuse Hotline 800-799-7233 or text BEGIN at 8788 if you are in need of help. You are not alone.

Thank you to Blanca with AT&T Volunteers for donating these adorable teddy bears that she handmade! Our kiddos love unique comfort items such as these! #ThankfulThursday

What does a healthy relationship look like? Healthy love, characterized by mutual respect, cherishes the limits set by each partner. These boundaries could be emotional, physical, or even digital. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) aged 18 and older in the United States have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This statistic highlights the importance of respecting boundaries in a relationship, as crossing these boundaries can often lead to harmful situations. A healthy relationship is one where both parties treat each other with dignity and respect, considering each other's personal boundaries as sacred. It's about understanding and honoring the individuality and autonomy of your partner. In a healthy relationship, love is not just about feeling, but about thoughtful action and unyielding respect. It's not about ownership, but partnership, where each person's needs, desires, and limitations are recognized and respected. This is the essence of healthy love.