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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUpdated NHCCFW October 22 2025 Minutes (1) (2) (1) CITY OF WILMINGTON/NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN A Joint City-County Commission NHC Government Building – Rm 138 October 22, 2025 - 4:00 PM Meeting Minutes In Attendance: Debbie Todd, Olivia Thames, Jen Peterken, Hayley Jensen, Sheila Evans, Emily Mitchell, Velva Jenkins, Tracey Newkirk, Judge Robin Robinson, Beth Ann Bryant- Richards Absent – Lindy Ford, Jen Wilson-Mathis Staff –Linda Thompson, NHC Civic Engagement Officer; Mary Vigue, City of Wilmington Deputy City Manager Guest Speaker - Mandy Houvouras, Domestic Violence Shelter and Services Inc. Call to Order – Olivia Thames, Chair Approve Minutes – September 2025 Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve Emily Mitchell, seconded by Velva Jenkins. All approved. Approve Agenda – October 22, 2025 – approved along with the Minutes. NHC Commission for Women’s Bylaws & Articles – read by Hayley Jensen. Old Business Special Planning Meeting – Olivia thanked all who attended, and Velva Jenkins for sharing space at the YWCA. Luncheon Planning Updates  Theme – At Her Best  Guest Speaker – Annette Taylor- Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity for NC Department of Information Technology has agreed to be our speaker (10 mins) and we may ask her to participate in the panel as well  Panelists & EMCEE - Frances Weller to serve per her calendar  Showing some key points in the report from the Open Pager – Speakers for three focus areas – Childcare, Labor Force, Entrepreneurship o Tracey Newkirk suggested that a woman with a small business may be able to speak about their journey. Someone who has done the work and gone through the ups and downs. Velva suggested that Tracey/Genesis Block could be a vendor. o One panelist could be an all-female workspace in Wilmington o Maybe someone from UNCW or Cape Fear Collective may have women- centered data o NC is slowly narrowing the gender wage gap – from 80.9% to 83.14% stth from 31 to 9 in the nation  Speaker suggestions from members are due November 12, 2025, by 5 p.m. to Jen Peterken, Velva Jenkins, and Emily Mitchell.  Any Old Business/Updates – Chair Lindy shared by email that she had some concerns about #6 on the Pulse Survey. The language was discussed, and the #8 Personal and Family Safety -- Trauma-Informed Services and Safety. A decision was made to keep #6 as written and change #8 to Community Safety vs. Trauma-Informed Services. New Business Guest Speaker: Mandy Houvouras, Domestic Violence Shelter and Services Inc., Director of Services and Director of Outreach Men, women, and children are served, though the majority are women. 1288 individuals. 1159 were adult women. Mandy started as an intern in 2007 and felt it was life-changing. Survivor Storytelling group is one of the highlights of her career. Survivors need to be believed, provided with services, not rescued. In 2024, 9200 nights of shelter were provided. In 2024, 233 direct assistance with Protective Orders 6600 support hours were provided A bilingual advocate has recently been added with a grant from the Community Endowment, also aided with the loss of federal funds Wrap-around services 24 hours a day Working on building relationships with nurses – special room in the emergency room They have a great relationship with the Community Justice Center The documentary that Mandy referenced to watch was called “Telling Amy’s Story”. Questions – Vintage Values – Resale stores – volunteer-staffed – clients can shop for themselves. Last year, the Monkey Junction store brought in about $40,000.00. Next Meeting -December 3rd – NHC Government Center – Rm to be announced Public Comments None Adjourn 5:03 p.m. Function of Commission The Commission shall be organized for the purpose of acting as an advocate for women and a resource of information on the status of women in New Hanover County for the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners (Board) and Wilmington City Council (Council): • To identify the status of women and assess the needs of women in New Hanover County (County) and the City of Wilmington (City); • To provide a status of women in New Hanover County report on an annual basis to the Board and Council; • To provide information and recommendations to the Board and Council on the needs and issues important to women as it deems necessary in improving and upholding the opportunities in employment, education and community services for all people, regardless of sex; • To work toward the betterment of the status of women with respect to employment and educational opportunities, health services, childcare services, welfare services, financial services, and community leadership opportunities; • To serve as an umbrella to coordinate and support all women’s initiatives, organizations, and networks in the County and the City including coordinating and cooperating with the YWCA and other organizations involved in activities on the status of women; and • To conduct educational seminars in collaboration with other organizations for residents and businesses in the County and the City.