Jaden’s Ladder Gives Away a Home & a Jeep

Russ Rousseau of Portsmouth Police Department, Kevin Faulk, former Patriot, Sean Evans of Portsmouth PD,  and Pat Kane, board member, at the 8th annual Gala Royale for Jaden's Ladder (courtesy photo)

NEW CASTLE -

On Saturday, August 11, Jaden’s Ladder held its 8th annual Gala Royale at the Wentworth Hotel in New Castle. The sold-out event had more than 170 guests. After hearing stories from survivors currently in the Jaden’s Ladder post-shelter program, the director Oneta Bobbett held a Call to Action, raising funds to go toward a home for one of her families – an early Christmas present to a Jaden’s Ladder Survivor and her two young sons.  This makes it the second home in 2012 given to a Jaden’s Ladder family.   Also that evening, Bournival Jeep and Jaden’s Ladder gave away a brand new car to one of its survivors.  In all, the event raised $180, 000.

“The house went to a family in a very abusive situation. She now feels safe, and her child can go to the school system. It’s something to uplift her life. She works so hard in starting her own business, she has a little girl,” Bobbett said. “Her monthly rent was $1,200. All she pays now is homeowner’s insurance and taxes, around $580 a month. She will be able to take care of herself and her child.”

One of the additional tragedies of domestic abuse is that women in these situations often have to leave their homes to become safe, said Bobbett, a survivor of domestic abuse herself.

She started Jaden’s Ladder eight years ago. She had been helping out different organizations in Rye and Portsmouth, but felt that she wasn’t doing enough.

It was her son’s birthday, and she and a friend encountered a woman with three girls leaving a shelter. She realized there was little hope and opportunity for people in such a situation, after their time at a shelter.

“We outfitted a three-bedroom apartment, got her clothes… she said ‘Who are you guys? You’re a gift from the heavens!’ Later, my friend and I went to a local restaurant and decided to do something. We started a three-year post-shelter program, and we’ve helped more than 300 families.”

Jaden’s Ladder tries to allot $30,000 per family, offering a weekly stipend to help them try to keep afloat, and full payments on therapy and attorney fees.

“I noticed that women who had lawyers working for them… pro bono – their cases were getting pushed aside,” Bobbett said, so they made it a point to pay full price. She cited a success story for a woman who was able to fight her ex-husband’s legal team with a high-powered lawyer of her own.

“Cheryl came from Florida, beaten badly, her ex-husband somehow got a warrant for her arrest. We had to hide her kids so her ex wouldn’t get custody during the weekend she was in jail. She drove down to Florida with an attorney, and said she never felt so empowered. She got full custody, child support, and restraining order against him. She got it all,” Bobbett said.

Such stories are not always the norm, she admits, but through her program, she is hoping that they become more commonplace. The annual gala is a way to celebrate the successes.

“I am so blessed to have such a great community of friends and businesses who are always here to support our program.  We couldn’t do any of this without their support,” said Bobbett.  Sponsors included Allen Wayside Furniture, Kane Insurance, Bournival Jeep, AAI, Demeters Steakhouse, Simply Green, Red’s Shoe Barn, T Garrity Heating Service, Dr. Carolyn Chase, and Dr. Geri Hunter.

Guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment provided by DJ Jodi, live and silent auctions, and celebrity guest appearances from many athletes including Jo Jo White of the Boston Celtics; Marshall Faulk, an NFL Hall of Famer; Kevin Faulk of the New England Patriots; Patrick Pass, former New England Patriot; Jay Schadler, ABC correspondent;  Charles Oakley, NBA legend; Harold Shaw, former NE Patriots; Chris Ward, artist; Tucker Perkins, xgames medal winner; and Randy Ayers, assistant coach of the New Orleans Hornets, all who have been staunch supporters of Jaden’s Ladder over the years.

Jaden's Ladder is a non-profit organization that assists survivors of domestic violence with life enhancing, post shelter programs and support that build confidence and foster self-reliance. They work with area shelters to provide post-shelter care and guidance to ensure that survivors are empowered to take back their lives and become active and vital members of the community.

BioBlitz! An Extreme Species Search in Odiorne Point State Park Explore the habitats of Odiorne Point State Park with scientists, field experts & the Seacoast Science Center

10th annual BioBlitz! During this extreme nature scavenger hunt, you can explore with field experts to find and identify as many different species as possible in one day. Here, a group pulls a seine net in to see what they have captured after dragging it along the sandy bottom Little Harbor at the northern end of Odiorne Point State Park. (courtesy photo)

RYE –

The Seacoast Science Center will hold its 10th annual BioBlitz! on Saturday, September 15 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. BioBlitz! is a daylong species scavenger hunt of Odiorne Point State Park, where the public explores alongside scientists and field naturalists to find and record data on as many different species in the park as possible in one day.

New this year, invited experts will begin searching for species the evening before the public event, making it the first 24 hour BioBlitz! for the Center. On September 15, participants will learn what species were found in the dark of the night.

BioBlitz! offers opportunities for individuals and families to gain knowledge and skill in their favorite area of nature. Exploration teams will be birding, searching for insects, snakes and amphibians, exploring the freshwater pond and salt marsh, tracking mammals, identifying plants and seaweeds, tide pooling and more. You can sign up to participate in all or part of the day. Additional guided field programs and special activities will be announced throughout the day.

BioBlitz! is a great way to excite children about science and a rare opportunity to meet many passionate biologists working together. Odiorne’s 135 acres and seven distinctly different habitats make it a unique and fascinating place to explore and learn.

According to education director Perrin Chick, “Despite wet and windy conditions last year, sixty-seven new species were added to our list. You never know what you will discover. A rarely seen Atlantic Moonfish was found by an eight year old boy.”

If you are not up for scouring the park, there is still plenty to explore in the Center’s Gregg Interactive Learning Studio. There, you will see samples of species collected by naturalists and learn about the identification process. You can see amazing images of the plants, animals and activities from past years on the big-screens, observe insects through microscopes, see samples of seaweeds and fungi, research on your own on our touch-screen computers.

Since the first BioBlitz! in 2003, the total number of species identified in Odiorne tops 1,890. This extremely valuable catalogue serves as a snapshot of the biodiversity of flora and fauna of the region. The knowledge gained during BioBlitz! has provided multiple opportunities to educate school children, families and groups. Special thanks go to sponsors Normandeau Associates, ReVision Engery, and Westinghouse for supporting the event.

To learn how you can help the Center add to the list, find a detailed schedule, and register online at www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/events. Members of the Seacoast Science Center may participate at no cost. The event is free for members of the Seacoast Science Center; $5 for non-members; $20 for non-member families (up to 6 people). Contact Perrin at 603-436-8043, ext. 17 or p.chick@seacentr.org for more information or to inquire how groups can get involved.