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Volunteers from Boyne City, East Jordan and other areas met on Monday, March 12, at the Charlevoix Country Club to plan for the countyÕs first "Women Can Women Do" fund raiser. The event, presented by the WomenÕs Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Inc., will be held at the Country Club on June 13.

Local businesses and individuals that donate items and time to create unique and colorful table designs will decorate fifteen luncheon tables. Volunteer table "captains,Ó"such as Marsha Newkirk of Evangeline Twp., enlist people who donate $150 or more to the Center and enjoy a luncheon at their table.

Ò"This is the first luncheon IÕve done,Ó"Newkirk said. Ò" think itÕs really great."

Contributions go to the WomenÕs Resource Center. The center serves women and families in five counties - Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego. The non-profit, community membership organization was established in 1977.

A variety of programs and services are offered by the center, including counseling, substance abuse assistance and education, childrenÕs programs, young adult education, domestic abuse assistance and career training.

Counselors are professionally trained to help women and children in matters of trauma, sexual assault, substance abuse and divorce.

The Women's Resource Center offers temporary shelter for women and families, along with support and counseling.

Career and education are programs that support growth and opportunities for a better future. Job placement assistance and career counseling help women to reach their goals. The education program may provide reimbursement for books, tuition and childcare. The programs and services are needed now more than ever, because of the increase in crimes such as domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is on the rise, director Jan Mancinelli said at the meeting.

"There were 700 cases of domestic abuse in 2006," Mancinelli said. "There were 279 sexual assaults and 300 child abuse and child sexual assault cases."

Grants provide only about half of the revenues needed to operate the programs, so fund raising is necessary to ensure the programs and services continue, according to the WomenÕs Resource Center. The Web site is www.wrcnm.org. The telephone number is 231-347-0067.