Keeping the RCC shelter stocked with necessary house supplies is a continuous task for our staff. So throughout the month of March, we are asking the Galveston County community to relieve some burden by contributing to our monthly shopping list.

You can contribute to the “Stock the Shelter” Drive in one of three ways: 1)
make an individual donation of goods to RCC, 2) host your own Stock the Shelter
drive at your place of work, church, or just amongst your friends and family,
or 3) make a monetary donation to the organization in lieu of donated goods.

We are in need of items such as paper towels, toilet paper, household cleaners, laundry detergent, etc. For a complete list of needed items, please follow this link: Stock the Shelter

If you would like more information about the “Stock the Shelter” Drive or would like to donate items, please contact Samantha Coats at 409-443-0511. Thank you for your support!

What is stalking?

Stalking is a crime. It is generally defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person fear. The specific laws are different for each state. Stalking is serious, often violent, and can escalate over time. For instance, 46% of stalking victims fear not knowing what will happen next.

Who is a stalker?

A stalker can be someone you know well or not at all, but most have dated or been otherwise involved with the people they stalk. Most stalking cases involve men stalking women, but men do stalk men, women do stalk women, and women do stalk men. Nearly 80% of stalkers use more than one means to frighten their victims. Some things stalkers do:

• Repeatedly call you, including hang-ups

• Follow you and show up where you are

• Send unwanted gifts, letters, texts, etc

• Damage your home or property

• Use technology, such as hidden cameras or GPS devices to track where you go

• Find out about you by using public records, online searches, hiring investigators, going through your garbage, or contacting friends, family, and coworkers

Who are the victims of stalking?

Overall, 3.4 million people are stalked each year in the United States. Anyone can be a victim of stalking. However, women are three times more likely to be stalked than men. Both men and women between the ages of 18-24 report the highest rates of stalking.

What to do if you are being stalked?

Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. In one out of every five stalking cases, stalkers use weapons to physically harm or threaten the victims and 29% of stalking victims fear it will never stop. The following are steps you can take to protect yourself:

• If you are in immediate danger, call 911

• Trust your instincts. Do not downplay the danger. If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are

• Take threats seriously.

• Contact a crisis hotline or victim services agency such as RCC

• Develop a safety plan – decide what to do in advance if the stalker shows up at your home, work, or school.

• Do not communicate with the stalker or respond to communication attempts

• Keep evidence of stalking. Write down the time, date, and place every time the stalker follows or contacts you. Photograph anything you can and keep emails, voicemails, and texts.

• Contact the police

• Seek the support of family, friends, roommates, and co-workers

If you would like to learn more about stalking, click here. If you are believe you are being stalked or if you have any questions, please contact the Resource and Crisis Center.

There are a variety of ways to get involved in the holiday giving program such as adopting a family, donating gift cards, making a monetary contribution, or hosting a toy or gift card drive. To read more about how to get involved or adopt a family, please click here. Please, consider making a family’s holiday memorable by participaing in our Santa for Survivors Holiday Giving Program!

But there are steps you can take to protect yourself from digital abuse. To learn more about Facebook Protection, click here.  To read more about this latest news story, click here.

This year the Galveston County National Adoption Day Celebration will be held at the Galveston County Justice Center from 9 am to 12 pm. Volunteers are needed to escort children and their adoptive families to the courtroom for the adoption to take place and ensure that families are well-informed about the day’s events. If you would be interested in being a part of this rewarding event as a volunteer, please call RCC at 409-443-0511 or email scoats@rccgc.org. Please consider helping to make this day a memorable event as a child is welcomed into the arms of a loving family!