Shop MonarchPearls Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence has been providing services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin for 27 years. Since it’s incorporation in 1979 the organization has grown from a crisis line and an all volunteer “safe house” program, through a series of rented shelter facilities, to a 17 bed shelter with support services provided by sixteen staff and many volunteers. Although the mission of the organization has remained constant, changes in community attitudes and laws protecting victims have allowed the organization to broaden its focus to include a variety of supportive programs and services in addition to shelter. Services has grown over the years to include legal advocacy, support groups, children’s programming, 24 hour crisis counseling and information and referral, bi-lingual services, individual psycho educational counseling programs, pet foster care and other services for those victims for whom safe housing is not the only issue. Currently, almost 95% of our clients utilize services other than shelter. Mission Turningpoint’s mission is to empower those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence by providing them with the resources to achieve freedom from violence through community support and education. Our goal is the elimination of domestic and sexual violence in our service area, Pierce and St. Croix Counties. Basic services include a constellation of programs designed to help victims of domestic and sexual violence achieve goals related to safety, self-sufficiency and freedom from violence. Organizational philosophy supports the right of each individual to self-determination and all programs are designed to support and facilitate personal goal achievement and safety. Clients receive services and information based on assessment of their situation and goals. Programs and Services Services are organized into domestic violence victim services, sexual assault victim services and prevention and education. Victim services include: 24-hour telephone and walk-in crisis counseling, information and referral, emergency housing, transportation to shelter and essential services, psycho-education counseling, advocacy and support, emergency food, follow-up services, employment and life skills education, support groups, legal advocacy, hospital and courtroom advocacy for victims of sexual assault, specialized children’s services, foster pet care and help with essential household furnishings. Clients are both male and female and include individuals who are currently experiencing abuse as well as those who may be struggling with issues from past family violence, child abuse or sexual assault. Services are available both to shelter residents and to victims of domestic or sexual violence who live outside shelter. Services are adapted to meet the needs of specialized populations. The shelter is accessible to people with disabilities and crisis services can be provided via TTY or through Turningpoint’s web site. Individual staff person are proficient at American Sign Language and Spanish and volunteers are available to assist other non-English speaking clients. Services are available by telephone 24 hours/day and on site at locations in River Falls and New Richmond. All services are free and confidential. Prevention and education services involve programs and presentations through area schools to children of all ages, as well as presentations to adult groups. Topics offered through the schools include: safe touch, protective behaviors and bullying, domestic violence, sexual harassment, healthy relationships, sexual assault, date rape and child abuse. Adult prevention efforts include informational campaigns targeted to specific groups, such as employers, health professionals and attorneys. In 2005 Turningpoint provided services to 2,351 women, 68 men and 708 children. Staff and volunteers provided 32,052 hours of individual and group services including: safe shelter, crisis and psycho- educational counseling, individual and group support, victim advocacy in areas of employment, education, medical care and life skills, legal advocacy, children’s programming and support groups, outreach services to special populations, transportation, food, foster pet care, assistance with household furnishings and information and referral. Turningpoint provided 2,337 nights of shelter and served 6,909 meals. An additional 320 victims of sexual assault were provided with hospital and legal advocacy, crisis counseling and information and referral. 6,346 individuals (primarily children) received preventative education. Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers A 9-15 member Board of Directors provides administrative guidance, setting the policies, goals and objectives of the organization. Board members are elected at Turningpoint’s annual meeting held in March of each year. Turningpoint has a staff of eleven full-time and six part-time individuals. Additionally, 200-300 volunteer hours are donated each month to assist Turningpoint in the delivery of services. Funding Turningpoint receives funding from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce (Housing and Urban Development), local United Ways, foundations, churches, organizations, and private individuals. We also receive support from the community through in-kind donations. Turningpoint raises funds directly through direct mail solicitation fund raising events. Check us out on the web: www.turningpoint-wi.org Shop MonarchPearls |