Turning Points Network
The parents and siblings of a daughter killed by the man who said he wanted to marry her; the family of a couple together decades when one partner turned on the other. The employees of local businesses, some of whom know, firsthand, about the trauma of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The staff of Turning Points Network who are on the front lines of personal violence every day — advocating in court, managing TPN’s 16-bed emergency shelter, leading classes in Economic Independence, facilitating support groups; volunteers who answer the crisis and support line 24/7 and educators who bring violence-prevention programs to more than 2,000 students in Sullivan County schools every year.
Close to 1,000 people are expected to participate in the 12th annual Steppin’ Up to End Violence Walk and Fun Run on May 5 through historic downtown Claremont, beginning and ending at Claremont Middle School.
Chaired this year by LaValley-Middleton Building Supply, the event is also sponsored by National Field Representatives, North Country Smokehouse, Hannaford, Mascoma Bank, Crown Point Cabinetry, Woodlawn Care Center, Kiwanis Claremont Charities, Chadwick Funeral Services, Summercrest Senior Living, Groups Recover Together, Goodrich Oil Co., Michael and Elizabeth Lemieux, Cross Insurance, Wakefield, McCrillis and Eldredge and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare. They lead the 50 or so local business sponsors that traditionally support Steppin’ Up.
Forty-five teams have already signed on — representing faith communities, nonprofits, firefighters and other municipal groups, the medical field, families and friends, businesses of all sizes — all of whom stand in solidarity against personal violence and in encouragement of a more compassionate community.
Kids and dogs, babies in strollers, runners looking to improve their 3-mile time, young people, older people and retired people from across the economic spectrum are part of this effort because survivors of personal violence come in all sizes, colors, genders and circumstances.
Behind-the-scenes are TPN board members, who lead committees, recruit teams, engage sponsors and work with volunteers to organize prizes, publicity, registration and to make muffins, cookies and fruit cups for the participants.
Some 60 volunteers in all are part of Steppin’ Up’s success. Steppin’ Up’s goal of $100,000 enables TPN to ensure that survivors have access to services free of charge whenever they need them.
This means that at four in the morning when a survivor calls because that is one of the few times their partner is out of the house, we will answer that call and offer our support.
It also means that if a survivor has a court hearing at 11 a.m., we will stand by their side. The money raised helps make our services possible — to support survivors when they desperately need it.
As one veteran walker put it, “I walk because others must run from personal violence.”
To sponsor Steppin Up or to form a team, or for more information, call (603) 542-8338 and ask for Deborah Mozden.
OUR TURN is a public service series by Turning Points Network serving all of Sullivan County We provide wraparound supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking and we present violence-prevention education programs in our schools.
For more than 40 years, TPN has helped people of all ages move from the darkness of abuse toward the light of respect, healing and hope.
For information, call (800) 639-3130, visit www.turninqpointsnetwork.org or find TPN on Facebook.
Since 1977, Turning Points Network has provided Sullivan County with wraparound services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking. The network has offices in Claremont and Newport.
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