A Message from our Founder

As I look back over the last two years since founding the Beginning Over foundation to raise awareness about domestic abuse, I am amazed at our accomplishments. What started out as a promise to my sister, Robin D. Shaffer has turned out to be a growing grassroots effort for victims, survivors and advocates fighting to save lives and support victims of domestic abuse.

I am in awe over the support we have received
from people in our community, who to me are really
"world changers."

On October 2, 2008, we will participate in the third annual Girls Night Out, Lehigh Valley event, where we hope to raise more than $20,000 to support the efforts of the Beginning Over Foundation and two other local organizations who help victims of domestic abuse. Girls Night Out, Lehigh Valley is held at TC Salon Spa, 61 W. Walnut Street, Bethlehem PA. Please join us for a night of food, fun and "friendraising" to support our efforts to end domestic abuse.

I am so proud of the work done by the Beginning Over Foundation and its affiliates who reach into their communities to keep the subject of Domestic Abuse high in the public's consciousness. We don't simply dump funds into programs that don't work. As we assist and support victims and their families, we create activists - gradually turning victims into victors. Together, we are working to eliminate domestic abuse, the number one cause of female homicide in the United States.

The sad reality is, there is still tremendous work to be done. We know that domestic abuse can be reduced, even eradicated, through education, advocacy and support. Women are still dying unnecessarily in our own neighborhoods. Every day in the United States, four women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country. In 2000, 1,247 women were killed by an intimate partner. The same year, 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. More then 3.3 million children a year witness domestic abuse. One in three women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime. On the global front, the situation is even worse.

We're on a mission, but we can't make it to the finish line without you. There are ways you can support the Beginning Over Foundation and our programs. Please take a moment to explore our website to find a way that is comfortable for you to participate. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Gratefully,

Heidi Markow