A Time for Thanks

By Wilma Lively

The following op-ed by DSV Executive Director Wilma Lively appeared in the Saturday, Aug. 2 issue of The Tulsa World.

All too often our community is rendered numb with news of conflict, crime, and the worst of humanity. Good news tends to be downplayed, overlooked and even ignored. Every day, I see the remains of families who've been torn apart by domestic violence and young women who've escaped the clutches of sex trafficking.

I oversee the day-to-day operations of DaySpring Villa, Oklahoma's first faith-based, certified shelter for domestic violence victims and adult women who have escaped sexual trafficking. As most of our donors know, we rely exclusively on the generosity of Oklahomans to not only house, feed and clothe the women and their children here, but help us give them the tools and direction to lead independent, self-sufficient lives.

While it's easy to get caught up in the horrors some people inflict on others, I choose to seek out and recognize the amazing selflessness and goodness that lies within the majority of those who call Oklahoma home. A short time ago, DaySpring Villa announced the shelter lacked $65,147 of its $272,000 campaign goal to build a storm shelter for our guests and staff. Within a week, we received the funds to proceed with construction. While many donations came from individuals, churches and companies that know of us, others came from complete strangers who learned of a need and responded without a second thought.

To everyone who sacrificed a dinner out, the money for a concert, or dug deep in their pockets to help DaySpring Villa shelter and protect women and their children in crisis, thank you. Your act of kindness and generosity does not go unnoticed and is, in fact, celebrated each time a woman leaves us, prepared to start a life that is free of violence.

Tomorrow, when you turn on the television, listen to the radio, read the newspaper, or log on to the Internet, remember this: All that is good and right in our hearts and souls will forever triumph over that we cannot understand.