Latest news with #Groh
Chicago Tribune
29-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Lake County domestic abuse shelter is now pet-friendly; ‘The need for this … program has always been there'
Rebeca Groh said it took her seven years to leave an abusive relationship. Hers was a financial-abuse situation in which, over time, she said her fiancé diminished her capacity to support herself and she was forced to depend on him. For example, the mother of three said he was in charge of her disability assistance. 'He was never gonna change,' Groh said. 'I was tired of living that way.' Having had no economic resources for so long, Groh reached out to A Safe Place for help. The domestic abuse center was able to provide her shelter for her, her daughters and another important family member — her service dog Gigi. In the past, that would not have happened. Without the resources pets need at the shelter, clients had to board their furry companions at a different location. They were safe, but separated. Now, through the Safe Paws pet shelter program, clients have another option. They're able to be housed together at the agency's emergency and transitional shelters. They're provided with items pets need, and they have access to basic veterinary care. That is significant because research shows that perpetrators of domestic abuse often exploit the bond a victim can have with their pet. 'Abusers use beloved pets to control, manipulate, frighten and punish their victims,' said Christine Lucheck, chief of residential services at A Safe Place. According to the National Link Coalition, a nonprofit agency that serves as a global resource center on the link between animal abuse and humans, in 2021, 97% of callers to the National Domestic Violence hotline said that keeping their pets with them is an important factor in deciding whether or not to seek shelter. Their reporting also showed that 50% of the callers said they would not consider a shelter for themselves if they couldn't take their pets with them. 'We've been missing a huge population,' Lucheck said. 'The need for this type of program has always been there.' So much so that a significant provision of the bipartisan Pet and Women Safety Act, signed into law in 2018, included a grant program for entities that provide shelter and housing assistance for domestic violence survivors. It's thanks to that grant that A Safe Place was able to fully launch the pet shelter program. The $400,000 grant allowed the agency to modify space in its emergency shelter, where two bedrooms were made pet-friendly and another area was converted to have a wash station. Outside, there will soon be a dog run. At their transitional housing apartments, pets are also welcome. By providing these secure spaces for both humans and their pets, the Safe Paws program chips away at one of the many roadblocks clients face when they're trying to escape domestic abuse. Even in cases where victims have escaped their abusers, perpetrators can threaten that they'll harm or kill the pet if they don't come back. Violence is also inflicted on pets. In the fall of 2023, when the program was just starting, Lucheck said a woman escaped a traumatic domestic violence situation and arrived at A Safe Place with her 14-year-old Boston Terrier. The client received therapeutic support and over time began healing from the extensive physical, emotional, and psychological abuse that was inflicted by her partner, Lucheck said. Unfortunately, the abuse hadn't only been directed at her. 'It was clear that (the dog) had repeatedly suffered violent treatment, which included being thrown against walls, kicked and shouted at, which left him with intense anxiety and a deep fear of unfamiliar people,' Lucheck said. In addition to trauma, the dog suffered from severe dental issues; teeth were missing or falling out, likely due to years of dental neglect or knocked out during episodes of abuse, she said. The dog received dental care, a full wellness evaluation and vaccinations. Beyond medical treatment, A Safe Place also provided the client with essential pet items. Lucheck said the two are now both healing. Another story that Lucheck shares is of a touching moment when a client who hadn't been allowed by her abuser to groom her pet was overcome with emotion when she could finally bathe her dog at the shelter. Helping families escape domestic abuse has many dimensions. An alarming connection between pet abuse and domestic violence puts a spotlight on the cycle of abuse. 'Children who have been maltreated, or have witnessed violence, are more likely to abuse animals,' said Claire Coughlin, director of the Companion Animal Program at the Animal Welfare Institute. The Washington, D.C.-based organization studies that link as part of its mission to alleviate animal suffering caused by people. Couhlin said child abuse and animal abuse frequently occur in the same family, so it makes sense to have wraparound services and resources for all who suffer this abuse. The Pet and Women Safety Act gives law enforcement an additional tool to protect victims and their pets from their abusers. It allows for orders of protection to also include animals. Lucheck said the community can help by learning about the link between animal abuse and domestic violence and spreading awareness. People can also donate pet items, such as leashes, potty pads, metal bowls, treats, toys and pet supply store gift cards during a pet donation campaign that runs through May.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Volunteers plant 15 trees at Oneida park during 2025 NFL Draft community greening project
HOBART - Volunteers planted 15 shade trees at Amelia Cornelius Culture Park April 21 during an NFL community greening project in honor of the 2025 NFL Draft, building upon revitalization efforts at the park and the adjacent Oneida Veterans Memorial Park. Planting trees has countless benefits for the environment including carbon storage, water quality improvements and wildlife habitat, Gov. Tony Evers said in his opening remarks. The event adds to over 42 million trees planted in Wisconsin since Evers joined the global Trillion Trees Initiative in 2021, he said, and brings the state closer to its pledge to plant 100 million trees by 2031. "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago," Evers said. "Second best time is right now, so this is the time to do it." The tree planting event is one of several community greening projects NFL Green, the league's environmental program, and Verizon are hosting in Green Bay in honor of the draft. NFL Green works to create a positive green legacy in the cities that host the league's events, Associate Director Susan Groh said. "Over the years, we have planted hundreds of thousands of trees," Groh said. "We've built community gardens, restored habitat, everything from restoring rivers to restoring coral reefs. So it's been an honor to do that kind of work here in Green Bay." The event is just the start of NFL Green and Verizon's environmental efforts in Green Bay, Groh said. Over the next few weeks, another 40 trees will be planted on Oneida land and 35 trees will be planted in Brown County parks, she said. Verizon will also plant over 5,000 trees in Douglas County forests, or 20 trees per NFL draft pick, Associate Director of Sustainability Susan Lucas said. NFL Green and Verizon have planted over 300,000 trees throughout their 13-year partnership, Lucas said. Forestry is an important aspect of restoring the Oneida Nation reservation lands, Oneida Nation Chair Tehassi Hill said at the event. Before volunteers began planting, Hill, Evers, Groh, Lucas and NFL Green Director Jack Groh helped plant a maple tree, which Hill said is the leader of all trees and is significant in the Oneida culture. "We are only as healthy as our environment," Hill said. "So we've tried to do our best here in the Oneida community to restore the land, make sure it's healthy for our communities to live and play and harvest from." Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@ or (920) 431-8314. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @vivianbarrett_. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: NFL Green, Verizon plant trees at Oneida park for 2025 NFL Draft
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Forbes
Experiential Travel Is The New Mercedes Benz
Two people are taking a selfie while touring the various frozen galleries of the Ice Hotel in the ... [+] Bjornevatn region, in Kirkenes, Norway, on January 16, 2024. These hotels are temporary structures constructed each winter from blocks of ice and snow, offering visitors a unique experience with rooms, furniture, and decorations made of ice, along with a variety of winter activities. (Photo by Jorge Mantilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images) When it comes to the future of travel, one thing is clear: experiences are taking center stage, driving destination choices and reshaping loyalty strategies – the concept is called experiential travel. To dive deeper into this consumer trend, I had the opportunity to speak with Erin Groh, head of marketing at iSeatz, about how experiential travel rewards are influencing the way brands engage with travelers. Traditionally, travel planning started with selecting a destination and then filling in the itinerary. However, according to Groh, that model has flipped. 'We're seeing a shift where experiences are driving destination choices rather than the other way around. It's less about saying, 'I want to go to Italy and then figure out what to do there,' and more about saying, 'I want to take a pasta-making class in Florence, and I'll plan my trip around that.'' This trend extends beyond culinary travel. Groh cites examples like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which has been an economic catalyst for destination travel, and Las Vegas' residency concerts, where fans travel specifically for a show and build their entire trip around it. Tao Tao, Co-Founder & COO of GetYourGuide remarked, "First, the travel industry tackled flights. Then, we perfected accommodation. Now, we've entered the experience decade. The numbers tell the story best—among US consumers, experiences have grown approximately 32% compared to pre-pandemic levels, while discretionary goods lag at just 5%. This isn't a post-COVID blip, but, rather, a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. We're truly seeing the future of travel taking shape." This evolution of travel planning has created new intersections between live events and destination choices. According to Groh, '74% of travelers say experiences have a moderate to massive impact on shaping their trips. This is particularly pronounced among Millennials and Gen Z, where 79% prioritize quality of experience over cost.' The result? Travel brands and loyalty programs are increasingly integrating concerts, sports, and cultural experiences into their offerings. 'People are traveling to Cincinnati because they want to see a major concert. While they're there, they may also add a Reds game. Or they're planning a trip to Baltimore and realize they've never seen the Orioles play at Camden Yards,' Groh explains. These statistics reflect a larger trend: people want their trips to feel special and unique—whether through sports, music, culinary experiences, or cultural immersion. 'It's about something that feels truly special,' she notes, emphasizing the increasing role of personalization in travel planning. One of the biggest factors shaping experiential travel is social media. 'The new word of mouth is social media,' Groh states. Studies show that social media is now the #1 trip planning tool, surpassing traditional travel websites and search engines. 'Around 64% of travelers use social media as their primary trip planning tool, and for frequent travelers—those taking six or more trips a year—it jumps to 72-74%.' This influence extends beyond destination inspiration to activities and events. 'It's no longer just about Googling 'things to do in San Francisco,'' she explains. 'Instead, people go on Instagram or TikTok, look at influencers, search location tags, and see what's trending. The idea of FOMO—fear of missing out—plays a huge role in shaping demand for unique, high-quality experiences.' Keith Laxman, an executive with Tickets For Less added, 'Experiential travel rewards, such as concerts, sporting events, or VIP access, often encourage customers to share their experiences on social media. This not only acts as free advertising for the brand but also reinforces the sense of exclusivity.' Siel Debouver with EcoCamp in Patagonia, remarked, 'Social media provides potential customers information and inspiration. Gen Zers and Millennials often use social media prior to booking. We know these luxury consumers have referenced Instagram photos from Patagonia based on their questions and bookings on our portal.' For loyalty programs, the shift toward experience-driven travel represents a major opportunity. 'Consumers want loyalty programs to offer more than just discounts—they want access to unique, high-value experiences,' Groh noted. This is evident in how brands are evolving their rewards structures. 'Presale access to concerts and sporting events has become a massive draw for credit card loyalty programs,' she said. 'Exclusive event access, VIP packages, and even perks like private lounges at music festivals are becoming key differentiators.' This aligns with research showing that experiential rewards—especially those that provide social currency—are gaining traction. 'People don't just want to collect points; they want to collect experiences that they can share.' How you feel and your ability to be present is key to getting the most out of experiences, and travelers are investing in wellness to maximize their trips. This used to mean a massage when you arrived, but now customers are also turning to high-tech tools to experience more. "Customers tell us that a top reason they use our Flykitt system to eliminate jet lag is to hit the ground running so they have more room in the itinerary for experiences. And the memories they create aren't clouded by falling asleep, gut issues, and brain fog that were just part of travel before our research made jet lag a choice," shared Andrew Herr, CEO of FlyKitt, which developed a comprehensive system to conquer jet lag based on research with Navy SEALs. Hotels are also upgrading their wellness offerings beyond just the spa. At the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey, you can book a room with a Peloton bike in it to make it simple to get a quick workout for an energy boost, and you can request a fragrance-free room cleaned with special unscented cleaning products for people who are especially sensitive and don't want sneezing to mess with their next experience. Another area of rapid development is AI-driven trip planning. 'AI tools are making it easier for travelers to discover and book experiences that align with their interests,' Groh explains. 'Whether it's itinerary optimization, real-time recommendations, or AI-powered concierge services, we're seeing technology play a bigger role in curating these special moments.' For travel brands, this represents both an opportunity and a challenge. 'The brands that can integrate AI to create seamless, personalized experiences while still maintaining a human touch will be the ones that win,' she predicts. As travel evolves, the message is clear: destination-driven planning is giving way to experience-driven travel. For brands, this means rethinking how they engage travelers, incorporating experiential rewards, and leveraging AI to offer hyper-personalized journeys. From exclusive access to concerts and sporting events to curated culinary and adventure experiences, experiential travelers today want more than just a place to stay—they want something truly memorable.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police call on public for information on Newfane burglary
NEWFANE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Police are searching for a suspect that burglarized a Newfane home Monday, March 10. Officers were alerted about the incident at 7:11 a.m.. Investigations revealed that an unidentified man knocked on the resident's door, asking for help at roughly 6:30 a.m. The victim reportedly opened the door, which is when this suspect entered the home and threatened her. The victim also told police that this person left with a ring that he took from her finger, among other items. This suspect fled the scene in a 'dark-colored Sport Utility Vehicle'. Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective Groh with VSP Westminster Barracks at 802-722-4600. Individuals can also leave an anonymous tip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rockford's Davis Park to get $12M renovation with new amenities
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A renovation project to transform Rockford's Davis Park is soon to get underway. 'The current plans, really started to get underway back in 2016, 2017. We're ready to go. Right before the pandemic we took a long pause and now the city is in the position to be out, to bid for construction, with a planned late June construction start and a 12-month construction timeframe,' said GoRockford President and CEO John Groh. The renovations will bring a playground, skatepark, and a small stage to Davis Park, which sits along the banks of the Rock River in downtown Rockford. The large field has been host to 4th of July fireworks viewing events, Friday Night Flix, and large concerts during the era of the city's On the Waterfront festival. 'The new plans call for it to be a much more active park on a daily, weekly basis than it had been in its previous iteration, which was much more special event-based or festival-based,' Groh said. The park sits on nearly 10 acres, something the city knows will bring flexibility in terms of events. 'The skate park is on the south side of the railroad trestle. The playground is on the north side. The stage can be used in a couple of configurations for small concert experiences or larger concert experiences. It's meant to be a really flexible space with a lot of different uses,' Groh explained. Groh said he hopes the park can be used year-round. 'The community [will] have this destination-level park with this amazing playground, the skate park, the stage, and many future phases, including some water features, and in the winter, an ice rink or an ice ribbon,' he said. The city says construction should be completed by June 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
