Finding Your Way Care Lodge

Jessica Guicheteau is a Care Lodge volunteer and certified victim advocate. In today's episode, she shares her own story of domestic violence and sexual assault. She describes what helped her in a time of crisis and ways she continues to care for herself today. Today she is channeling her experiences to be an advocate for other survivors.

MS Coalition Against Sexual Assault: www.mscasa.org/

Wesley House Sexual Assault Crisis Center: https://wesleyhousemeridian.org/sexual-assault-crisis-center/

Street Harassment: www.rainn.org/articles/street-harassment

Sexual Assault Spectrum: hbr.org/resources/images/arti…ARDON_THESPECTRUM.png

If you or someone you care about is experiencing an abusive relationship, you can call Care Lodge on the 24/7 Help Line at 601.693.4673 (HOPE) and speak with an advocate who can help you take your next step toward becoming safe.

If you are not in the east Mississippi/ west Alabama region, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing may use TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Visit our website www.carelodge.com for examples of safety plans and a list of all the free services available for victims of domestic violence.

Today’s episode features guest speaker Santee Ezell, Assistant Director, Health Promotion & Wellness at Mississippi State University! She speaks to the power of creating safe spaces for victims of interpersonal violence to share their story and connect with a community who supports their journey to becoming a survivor. Ms. Ezell talks shares how *consent is HOT and victim blaming is NOT, and how creating and maintaining healthy boundaries within our relationships is a key component to living a healthier life.

Sexual Assault and Harassment can be hard to define if we are not educated. Here are a few things we think you should learn to become a supportive person for a potential victim:

MS Coalition Against Sexual Assault: http://www.mscasa.org/

Street Harassment: https://www.rainn.org/articles/street-harassment

Sexual Assault Spectrum: https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2018/06/W180607_REARDON_THESPECTRUM.png

Check out Mississippi State University's Health Promotion website at
https://www.healthpromotion.msstate.edu/

Guest Speaker Contact Information:
Santee Ezell, MS, PCED, CHES, CHWI, CPM, CNP, CPT
Pronouns: (she, her, hers)
Assistant Director, Health Promotion & Wellness
Office: 662.325.7545
MSU Safe Line: 662.325.3333|Crisis Text Line 741-741
Se126@saffairs.msstate.edu

If you or someone you care about is experiencing an abusive relationship, you can call Care Lodge on the 24/7 Help Line at 601.693.4673 (HOPE) and speak with an advocate who can help you take your next step toward becoming safe.

If you are not in the east Mississippi/ west Alabama region, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing may use TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Visit our website www.carelodge.com for examples of safety plans and a list of all the free services available for victims of domestic violence.

Is it okay to be single? I feel pressured to date.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. Get to know YOUR values and goals.
2. Smooth your path by connecting with a mentor. Who is already serving in a profession that interests you?
3. Use your value system to weigh which relationships are in alignment and which are NOT.
4. When considering someone to date, try not to jump in head first, get to know them on a deeper level, meet their family, watch how they treat others…
5. NEVER… NEVER rush a relationship.
6. Make sure you are well-versed with the signs of dating abuse in regard to relationship health
7. Remember that the only person you can change, is who? Yourself!
8. Jumping into a relationship may cause us to compromise our values to avoid being alone.
9. Focus on your current social connections
10. Develop your own interests and passions, and enjoy being single!
11. You are ALREADY "complete" and good enough, as you are.
12. Later when you're ready to date, and you find someone on the same page as you, it'll be a bonus! You'll complement each other instead of "completing" each other.

RESOURCES:
LoveIsRespect.Org
https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/going-single-and-going-strong/

"Learning to Love, Not Fear, Being Single" |
Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. Meet, Catch, and Keep
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201401/learning-love-not-fear-being-single?utm_content=buffer0c007&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR3svYOGiK3L-_08V5crULvQonAYjzXoXdrSpndNqdQjE-AsoOZq6oE7Q1c

Listen to this track or read the affirmations in the description every day for 21 days to help build a habit of hope & healing from an abusive relationship.

Affirmations provided on this podcast are inspired from a post by Catherine Beard on theblissfulmind.com.

1. I create a safe and secure space for myself wherever I am.
2. I give myself permission to do what is right for me.
3. I am confident in my abilities
4. I can use my time and talents to help others
5. What I love about myself is my ability to _________.
6. I feel proud of myself when I _________.
7. I give myself space to grow and learn.
8. I allow myself to be who I am without judgment.
9. I listen to my intuition and trust my inner guide.
10. I accept my emotions and let them serve their purpose.
11. I give myself the care and attention that I deserve.
12. My drive and ambition allow me to achieve my goals.
13. I can share my talents with the world
14. There ARE people around me who encourage my safety
15. I am headed in the right direction.
16. I trust that I am on the right path.
17. I am creatively inspired by the world around me.
18. My mind is full of brilliant ideas.
19. I put my energy into things that matter to me.
20. I trust myself to make the right decision.
21. I am becoming closer to my true self every day.
22. I am grateful to have people in my life who support my journey
23. I am learning valuable lessons from myself every day.
24. I am at peace with who I am as a person.
25. I make a difference in the world by simply existing in it.
26. I am brave
27. I am enough
28. I am worthy
29. I am kind
30. I am fearless

Part 2 of this podcast explains a few safety and support services offered to students at Meridian Community College that can help them overcome challenges to their safety or well being. Very real issues that could prevent them from successfully graduating. If you are a student who is facing gender discrimination, mental health crisis, relationship abuse, stalking or any other safety concerns... Derek Mosley can help connect you with the right services on campus to help you with your current situation.

MCC Students can use the following contact information below for more on Title IX, incident reporting, safety services or other options available at Meridian Community College.

Mr. Derek Mosley
Title IX Coordinator/ Social Science Instructor
Smith Hall, Room 109
910 Highway 19 North
Meridian, MS 39307
Phone: 601.553.3453; Fax: 601.484.8635
Email: dmosley@meridiancc.edu

Part 1 of this podcast highlights some of the many supportive services offered at Meridian Community College that help students overcome everyday challenges that could prevent them from successfully graduating. Whether it is stress at home, financial burdens, or needing a few supplies like grocery items... La'Shundra Grady can help connect you with the right person on campus to help you with your current situation.

Don't forget to ask her about how to apply for:
-Peer Support Advocate Training Program
-Student Mentoring Program

MCC Students can use the following contact information below for more on Student Support Services at Meridian Community College.

La'Shundra Grady
Support Service Coordinator
Meridian Community College
910 Highway 19 North | Meridian, MS 39307
601.484.8836 Office Phone | meridiancc.edu | lgrady3@meridiancc.edu