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.
