From its 18 branches across Western Washington and Northern Oregon, Bank of the Pacific offers more than just financial advice and services. They also support their employees through a mindset of giving back. Bank of the Pacific believes that being a good neighbor in your hometown makes a tremendous impact on the lives and families of the community as a whole.
Local Bank of the Pacific Aberdeen Branch Manager Joey Elder has also worked at the Bank’s Montesano and Hoquiam locations. He was drawn to the institution for a very simple reason. “As a small community bank, I appreciate the community involvement and chance to build relationships from these opportunities to work with our local businesses and community members,” he says. “I’m driven by problem solving and enjoy the coaching aspect of management by empowering our team members through their successes.”
Working Together to Combat Domestic Violence in Grays Harbor
For Elder, this community involvement includes donating his time and caring spirit to the Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor. Elder is currently a voting member on the Center’s board and helps their team determine how funds are allocated, navigate changes to employee positions, facilitate annual account reviews, and determine how to best address incoming needs.
The Domestic Violence Center of Grays Harbor Works to Build Stronger Futures
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.
In Washington State alone, 41.4% of Washington women and 31.7% of Washington men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
“The Center utilizes every resource our organization has to offer,” says Elder. “We provide things like gas, shelter and food. The NEXT STEPS program transitions clients from temporary assistance to financial independence through advocacy which allows clients to obtain shelter and regain control of their financial literacy and independence without the organization. This program can support clients for up to one year.”
The Center relies 100% on donations and grant funding for their income. You can donate through their Facebook page or reach out to dvcentergh@yahoo.com. All kinds of donations are welcome, especially cash, food, clothing and gas cards.
Services with the Center are entirely free and confidential. But anyone in need of assistance can email the address above or call 360.538.0733 for help. Resources in other counties – and even nationwide – can be found at DomesticShelters.org.
Elder believes that working with the Center truly enriches Grays Harbor, because everyone benefits. “Developing relationships with folks in our community promotes collaboration which is auspicious to the Harbor’s success.”
Domestic violence touches far too many lives yet remains a silent, taboo subject. NCADV’s statistics show that one in four women have experienced severe physical violence and one in five have been raped by a partner. One in seven men have also been victim of this type of severe physical violence. Children often witness this abuse, and nationally the overall cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8 billion each year.
Many of the abused miss work due to the trauma and 20-60% lose their jobs. To show the full scope of the problem, NCADV says that of the 10 million adults who experience domestic violence, “If each of these adults experienced only once incidence of violence, an adult in the US would experience violence every three seconds. However, because domestic violence is a pattern, many experience repeated acts of abuse annually, so an incident of abuse happens far more frequently than every three seconds.”
If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233 or text START to 88788 today. There is also a live chat option at TheHotline.org.
And if you’re working to rebuild your personal banking history, start a small business, purchase or refinance a home Joey Elder and the entire Bank of the Pacific team are happy to help. Visit a nearby branch or give them a call at 833.FOR.BOTP (833.367.2687) and get started building a new, safe, healthy life for yourself and your family.
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