Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Columbus has received a $450,000 federal grant to help with transitional housing services locally, but the agency is still worried about funding after canceling multiple fundraisers due to the pandemic.
U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced that not only will Turning Point have their transitional housing assistance grant extended for another three years, but the Columbus-based organization will receive $450,000 — an increase of $100,000 above what the agency received in 2017.
The three-year federal grant is offered through the "Transitional Housing Assistance Grant for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, or Sexual Assault Program," according to Minkler.
Through this grant, Turning Point will provide 60 clustered, and scattered-site residences for 60 survivors and their families through program-owned and private landlord housing units. Clients will receive housing and other assistance for an anticipated minimum of six months and a maximum length of 24 months.
"We’ve worked with a lot of landlords who have been great community partners," Turning Point President Lisa Shafran said. "Thrive Alliance is also a tremendous partner."
The initial three-year transitional housing grant awarded in 2017 has assisted 48 households in a six-county area that, besides Bartholomew, includes Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson and Shelby counties, Turning Point Vice-President of Direct Services Carrie Cruse said.
Providing housing for up to two years is substantially longer than the short-term emergency shelter Turning Point has normally provided to domestic violence survivors and their children for more than 40 years, Cruse said.
But one of the biggest benefits of transitional housing is that it establishes some form of stability, the agency vice-president said.
"We are having people come forward now that maybe would not have, if all we could provide was a brief stay," Cruse said. "It gives them hope that a non-abusive life is obtainable and they are going to be safer."
The survivor’s hope is further strengthened because the funds do more than provide longer-term housing.
"The other piece of what’s built into this (grant) is working with Family Service Inc. to provide any type of counseling or mental health needs our clients might have," Shafran said. “We know that the sooner we can assist survivors in finding housing in combination with supportive case management, we increase their sustainability for a violence-free future.”
Support services may also include childcare, transportation, life skills development, job training and educational opportunities. The focus will be on meeting the needs of the under-served Latino, Spanish-speaking, immigrant, deaf, disabled, rural, and LGBTQ community members, as well as substance abuse survivors, according to the grant.
There were a few other financial boosts Turning Point has received this year. They were included during the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program, which provided employers incentives to keep workers on the payroll, Shafran said. Two other organizations were able to raise some money for the organization last month, including the Hoosier Egg Fest co-sponsored by Thompson Furniture.
But that’s where most of the good financial news ends. The Paycheck Protection monies were cut off after the first week of August. Like many nonprofits, Shafran’s organization was forced to start canceling annual fundraising events last March.
That means Turning Point has received about $250,000 less than they would normally have saved by the fourth quarter of the year. The non-profit must find a way to make up for this drop in funding in order to be financially sound by the end of December, Shafran said. She emphasized that no money received through the new grant can be used to pay for routine operational expenses, she said.
Unfortunately, the cancellations will carry on into next year. Turning Point has already announced they will cancel one of their most popular fundraisers — the Dance Marathon — which is an all-night fundraising party for local teens held each February. Without the Dance Marathon and other first-quarter fundraisers, Turning Point will lose another $120,000 in revenue it usually generates from January through March.
So when can the fundraisers resume? Shafran said she’s hoping for April – five months from now.
While the staff at Turning Point understand there are not guarantees, they also realize that serving the needs of domestic violence survivors, as well as breaking the cycle of violence among young people, is something that can’t be tabled or postponed.
In order to mark October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Turning Point is keeping things simple by making a plea for financial assistance. Details on the agency’s "Stay at Home Non-Fundraiser Fundraiser" can be found on the home page of the Turning Point Domestic Violence Services website at turningpointdv.org.
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With most of it’s fundraisers cancelled this year, as well as during the first quarter of 2021, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services is making a plea to the community for financial help. The non-profit has created an easy and simple way of raising money that simply asks local residents to go to their website at turningpointdv.org.
At the top of the home page, just right of the organization’s name, there is a link titled "Stay at Home Non-Fundraiser Fundraiser 2020." It give potential contributors several donation levels to choose from. All donations are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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Turning Point Domestic Violence Services is a non-profit organization headquartered in Columbus that has provided victim services since 1975. The 25-bed Emergency Shelter serves a six-county area including Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Johnson, and Shelby counties.
The range of optional support services include: rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, limited legal assistance, substance abuse services, court accompaniment, and housing advocacy.
The project will also provide follow-up services for at least three months once permanent housing is secured.
Those who are suffering domestic abuse are reminded that Turning Point Domestic Violence Services’ 24/7 Crisis/Helpline can be reached at 1-800-221-6311.
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