Hays, KS – Today, December 10, recognized as Human Rights Day around the world is the fourth anniversary of Jana’s Campaign. We are using this opportunity to reflect and celebrate our previous successes and build for the future. In our process of building a strong and impactful organization, we are happy to announce three new members to our board of directors.

New Board members Davis, Landau, and McCormick bring to Jana’s Campaign a range of experiences and scopes of practice from across the nation.  All, however, are united in the cause of ending gender and relationship violence.

Davis is a psychologist with the Veterans Administration in Leavenworth, Kansas.  Specifically, Davis works for The Domiciliary, housing over 200 homeless veterans.  Her enthusiasm, intelligence, and connections will be a valuable asset to the Campaign’s focus on engaging men and boys, as well as the Campaign’s efforts to improve response to sexual assault in the military.  Davis resides in Lawrence, Kansas.

Landau works on domestic violence issues in Washington, District of Columbia, and is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.  She has several years of experience as a victim advocate.  Landau served as the Transitioning Housing Case Manager for a domestic violence shelter in Kansas City, helping inspire her decision to attend law school.  Landau is very involved in issues having particular relevance to women and has served as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  Landau has also spent a year in Prague assisting trafficked women and children, further motivating her passion to end gender violence.

McCormick is a licensed master social worker and currently coordinates the batterer intervention program unit for the Kansas Attorney General.  She has a long history as a domestic violence advocate and is extremely knowledge on all issues as they relate to gender violence.  McCormick began her commitment to ending violence against women in 1998 as a shelter advocate for S.O.S., Inc., in Emporia, Kansas.  McCormick resides in Topeka, Kansas.

“The existing Board is exceptionally eager to work with each of these outstanding professionals in the years to come,” said Eric Sader, Executive Director of Jana’s Campaign. “Each brings a unique perspective to the table in our efforts to foster healthy relationships amidst a continuing epidemic of unacceptable violence.”

Existing membership includes Jennifer Berry, Christie Brungardt, Curt Brungardt, Sara Brungardt, Samantha Butler, Kelly Kuhlman-Parker, Heather Lambert, Mark Russell, Eric Sader, and Luo Zhai.

About Jana’s Campaign, Inc.
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In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims of domestic violence, a committed group of activists created Jana’s Campaign, Inc. with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence.  “We believe it is our responsibility to use the story of Jana’s life and the story of her death to help reduce violence against women.”  Through our program activities, Jana’s Campaign aims to play a significant role in breaking the cycle of domestic and dating violence and be a catalyst for social change.  Find out more at janascampaign.org.

Hays, KS – Jana’s Campaign Inc. recently collaborated with a public relations class at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in the creation of two short video public service announcements going live on Monday December 9, 2013, just prior to the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign closing on December 10.  The videos will be viewable on the Jana’s Campaign Facebook page and its YouTube channel.

The videos were created under the guidance of Hsin-Yen Yang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor for the Department of Communication Studies at FHSU.  Media Advisor Dr. Cynthia Garrety provided additional assistance. Contributing students included: Nicole Barnaba, Jayde Boyer, Lexi Copeland, Samantha Drees, Tiffanee Heinzen, Leah Shriwise, Jamie Sproul, and Brandi Wright, all undergraduate communication majors. FHSU student Kyle Zerr volunteered in an acting capacity.

Featured video “Conceal” gives a time lapse illustration of the daily hiding of scars, both physical and emotional, many survivors build into their routines.  Some things shouldn’t be concealed; gender violence is one of them.  Though the Campaign finds it important to emphasize its affirmation of the individual choices, sometimes forced or without better options, victims must make, society has no excuse for hiding from the problem of violence that has been proven to be widespread and tragically damaging to millions in our society.

An additional created video focuses on the early acts of abuse that often build up to physical violence and other more dire methods of oppression within romantic relationships.  By being aware of these signs of jealousy and control, we can all be better prepared to leave or otherwise handle these inappropriate acts of power.

“Jana’s Campaign is very appreciative of the hard work of these Tiger students, and the ongoing contributions students and volunteers in general make to our Campaign to end gender and relationship violence,” said Eric Sader, Executive Director of Jana’s Campaign.

The video releases come at a particularly significant time for the Campaign.  “The timing is impeccable,” said Sader, “with December 10 also marking Human Rights Day and the four-year anniversary of the kick-off of Jana’s Campaign.”

About the Department of Communication Studies at Fort Hays State University

The Department of Communication Studies offers a variety of degree programs that focus on human communication behaviors in the areas of:  advertising, general communication, journalism, organizational communication, and public relations.  Unlike many other communication studies programs, at FHSU you complete a set of foundational courses to expose you to multiple aspects of the communication field and to help you think about a variety of career options. Then, you focus your studies in one of five in-depth academic areas that prepare you for your selected career path.

About Jana’s Campaign Inc.

In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims of domestic violence, a committed group of activists created Jana’s Campaign Inc. with the single mission of reducing gender and relationship violence.  “We believe it is our responsibility to use the story of Jana’s life and the story of her death to help reduce violence against women.”  Through our program activities, Jana’s Campaign aims to play a significant role in breaking the cycle of domestic and dating violence and be a catalyst for social change.  More information can be found at www.janascampaign.org.

The December 2013 Jana's Campaign newsletter is now available here. 

Hays, KS – Jana’s Campaign is sad to announce that executive director Eric Sader has resigned from Jana’s Campaign effective at the end of 2013. “The decision to leave Jana’s Campaign was extremely difficult,” said Eric Sader. “I have decided to pursue a career in the social work field in the Kansas City area. My new position closely aligns with my extensive educational background and I have the opportunity to live closer to family.”

“I wish him the best in his new endeavor,” says Curt Brungardt, board president. “While Eric was only with us for a short time, he clearly helped us move to another level of organizational development and program impact. I would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to Jana’s Campaign. Eric has also expressed his interest to remain part of Jana’s Campaign as a volunteer advocate and active supporter in the future. It is my personal hope that as we expand programming, we will find a place for Eric.”

Nicole Walz, program coordinator, along with the board’s executive committee, will assume responsibility for much of Eric’s duties. Walz has been with Jana’s Campaign since January 2012. In addition, Jana’s Campaign has hired Sadie Lungren, as program specialist. Lungren is from Manhattan and is currently a senior at FHSU where she is studying Sociology and is an active member of the Women’s Leadership Project.

Contact:
Jana’s Campaign
785-656-0324
janascampaign@gmail.com