Advocacy In Action

May 2024 Newsletter

News and Updates from Turning Point of Lehigh Valley

Board Recruitment Mixer!

Have you ever considered joining our Board of Directors? Come to our mixer on May 28 to meet with current board members and Turning Point leadership to find out more about how to get involved! RSVP by clicking here - hope to see you there!

RSVP for our Board Recruitment Mixer here !

Recognizing the pivotal role that schools play in educating and supporting students who may have experienced Teen Dating Abuse, Turning Point of Lehigh Valley has increased its collaboration with various schools throughout the Lehigh Valley to help prevent teen dating violence. As part of this year’s efforts, middle & high school students were invited to share their vision for a new Turning Point poster to be displayed at schools as part of a new awareness campaign for the 2024-25 school year. 

The community voted on the top two submissions provided by students from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts.

On May 2nd Turning Point & the LV Charter Arts HS held a day of abuse awareness programs designed to raise awareness on the issue of teen dating violence and the services Turning Point can offer to students at no cost. This year's winner of our Annual Poster Contest is Sammy Wendland, 12th grader from Charter Arts High School.

With support from Working Dog Press, copies of the winning poster will be provided by Turning Point to all school districts in the LV thanks to a generous donation by the Glass Family in memory of 16-year-old Rianna Glass. Rianna and her mother, Rosalyn, were senselessly murdered by Rianna’s former boyfriend in 2023. Turning Point is committed to honoring Rianna’s legacy through its work to create a community where all relationships are safe, respectful, and equitable. 

Prioritize Your Well-Being:

Mental Health Awareness Month

As we embark on Mental Health Awareness Month, Turning Point encourages everyone to take some time to focus on their mental health. We also understand the unique challenges faced by domestic violence survivors and those who provide them with support and care. Nurturing mental well-being in the aftermath of trauma requires compassion, understanding, and tailored approaches to self-care.

Survivors of domestic violence often experience profound psychological and emotional trauma, which can have long-lasting effects on their mental health. Some signs of mental health struggles may include symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS), depression, anxiety or substance abuse. Additionally, caregivers, support systems and advocates working in this field may also be susceptible to burnout and vicarious trauma due to the demanding nature of their roles.

Cultivating Trauma-Informed Self-Care Practices

Here are some considerations for cultivating a trauma-informed supportive self-care routine:

• Practice Self-Compassion: Acknowledge your resilience and honor your own boundaries and needs.
• Seek Peer Support: Connect with others who understand your experiences, whether through support groups, online forums, or peer counseling.
• Utilize Grounding Techniques: Grounding techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or sensory grounding can help manage symptoms of anxiety and dissociation.
• Access Professional Support: Survivors and their families can access trauma-informed counseling services through Turning Point. Caregivers and other supports may also benefit from counseling to address secondary trauma and burnout.
• Promote Safety Planning: For survivors, safety planning is paramount for protecting your well-being. Work collaboratively to develop personalized safety plans that address physical, emotional, and psychological safety concerns.
• Build Resilience through Community: Engage with a supportive community to foster environments of trust, empathy and understanding.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let's center our efforts on supporting domestic violence survivors and those who tirelessly advocate on their behalf. By embracing trauma-informed self-care practices, promoting community support, and advocating for systemic change, we can foster healing and empowerment. Together let's take care of each other and ourselves to create a world where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported on their journey toward mental well-being.

Your Mental Health Matters! Call, text or chat 988 24 hours a day.

This month, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible work of Mr. John Truby, a dedicated Social Studies teacher at Liberty High School.

In collaboration with Generation Next, a program by Community Action of Lehigh Valley, our agency had the privilege of witnessing Mr. Truby's impactful engagement with his students during one of our presentations. During our visit, our Child & Teen Advocate discussed healthy relationships, and we were truly impressed by the attentiveness and involvement of Mr. Truby's students.

Not only does Mr. Truby excel in his teaching role, but he also helps serves as a positive voice in the room, actively guiding discussions and aiding students in discerning the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. In our quest for role models who champion our mission of empowering the next generation with the tools for healthy relationships, Liberty High School stands out with Mr. Truby at the forefront. Thank you for all you do!

Ways To Give

As we begin our Spring Appeal we invite you to join us in supporting our mission. Our community's support is paramount to the success of our work and we kindly ask that you consider making a gift to help us continue our efforts. Your generosity will make a significant impact and enable us to continue providing essential services to those in need. Please consider making an extra gift if you are able. Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for all.

We're thrilled to announce that our Comfort for All: Bed in a Bag Drive event was a fantastic success! We received over $2,000 in bedding. A heartfelt thank you to all our donors that participated and to Guardian for hosting a company drive. Your support truly makes a difference! 

Moravian University Shining Star Community Partnership Award

Moravian University recently presented Executive Director Lori Sywensky and Turning Point of Lehigh Valley with their 2024 Shining Star Community Partnership Award. The award recognizes a business or organization that supports Moravian's mission to prepare individuals for a reflective life, fulfilling career, and transformative leadership in a world of change. While Moravian and TPLV entered into a formal MOU in December 2022, our partnership began long before that. Together, Turning Point and Moravian led the development of the first Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) course on interpersonal violence. Turning Point has offered, and continues to provide, training and guidance to the Moravian community on intimate partner abuse in an educational and supportive capacity.

Board President Lauren Wieser and Executive Director Lori Sywensky accepted the Shining Star Community Award from Moravian University.

Receiving this accolade not only highlights Turning Point's commitment to our community, but also underscores the power of collaboration between our agency and educational institutions in driving meaningful change to eliminate domestic and intimate partner violence. We are proud to partner with the Moravian University community as they continue to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future and we are humbled by their recognition of our work.

Unlocking Potential: Your Guide to Community Training & Education Events!

Empowerment begins with knowledge, and we invite you to take a stand against domestic and intimate partner abuse by participating in any of our upcoming community training opportunities. These sessions are designed to equip you with valuable insights, resources, and skills to create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone! Visit our events calendar to learn more and also access the details for each event.