Mike Wolanin | The Republic Turning Point Vice President of Direct Services Carrie Kruse, left, and Turning Point President Whittney Loyd pose for a photo inside Turning Point Domestic Violence Services new offices in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2022.
Landmark Farm Foundation, the family foundation of Ro and Shorty Whittington, will provide a dollar for dollar match, up to $250,000, for every gift made now through April 30 to support the purchase of the Turning Point Community Services Building.
The building, at 729 Washington St., opened to community partners and program participants in late December. The agency is now nearing its completion of the renovation of their new facility. Through the duration of this project, Turning Point has experienced many overwhelming and unexpected costs, officials there said. This has lead to the continuation of raising funds to reduce the size of the building’s mortgage, allowing the agency to direct as many dollars as possible to expanded programming in the new space.
Turning Point officials said Landmark Farm Foundation and the Whittington family have been long-time dedicated and generous donors to the agency and have chosen to provide this lead gift to support the agency’s ability to finalize its purchase of the downtown building in order to grow and streamline services for survivors of interpersonal violence as well as many others in the community.
“Turning Point is one of the most effective and impactful places we fund,” said John Whittington.
“You (Turning Point) have done a great job involving the community. Just think, the world will be a better place in 2040 because of what you have done today,” said Ro Whittington.
Turning Point’s goal for its new home, in addition to the expansion of direct services and youth programming, is to have a place to invite community partners for collaboration on an even deeper level and to develop new partnerships, as well. In this year’s first quarter, Turning Point has already hosted more than 10 partner agencies for trainings and other purposes and are now in the planning stages of hosting Latinx Family Game Nights with multiple United Way agency partners.
The Purdue Extension Office’s Strengthening Families program is set to be held in the building in the fall. The building is also now a host site for monthly community recovery meetings.
The agency’s goal is to raise $500,000 to support the move into the Turning Point Community Services Building. Upon exhaustion of the Landmark Farm dollar-for-dollar match, this goal will be attained, allowing for all available resources to directly support programming and direct services.
To make a gift to be matched by Landmark Farm Foundation, visit turningpointdv.org or mail a check to P.O. Box 103, Columbus, IN 47202.For more information, contact Turning Point Executive Director Whittney Loyd at [email protected] or 812-374-9016.
