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In an ongoing effort to maintain accessibility of domestic and intimate partner abuse services in the downtown Allentown area, Lori Sywensky, Executive Director of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, and Sarah Barrett, Executive Director of the YWCA of Allentown, announced a new partnership between the agencies that will allow Turning Point to offer counseling services at the YWCA’s offices on Hamilton Street.
In 2016, Adrian Shankar, Founder and Executive Director of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, opened their doors to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley in order to offer affirmative, accessible services in their downtown location. Over the last six years, Turning Point met with and counseled hundreds of survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse in that location. However, as the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center has grown, space for community partners became limited, necessitating a move from that location for Turning Point.
“YWCA Allentown is proud to welcome Turning Point’s Community Advocates,” says Sarah Barrett, Executive Director of YWCA Allentown. “This shared space allows us to deepen the collaboration between our organizations and to strengthen our shared commitment to supporting survivors and advocating for an end to gender-based violence.” This is in large part due to Turning Point’s already established relationship with the YWCA’s The Perfect Fit, their program that helps more than 700 women each year find the clothing and confidence necessary to start a job and grow a career, including survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse.
According to Sywensky, “While we are thrilled at the success Bradbury Sullivan has had over the past several years, we were saddened to leave and knew maintaining a presence in the downtown was critical. We are extremely grateful to the YWCA Allentown for stepping up and all the possibilities our new partnership will offer.” Turning Point’s Director of Community Advocacy, Miriam Rivera, notes, “Turning Point is thankful for the time that we were able to build relationships with the Bradbury-Sullivan staff as we counseled clients in a safe and welcoming environment, and we will continue to work closely together to serve all survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse.”
Turning Point of Lehigh Valley has offices in the Allentown & Bethlehem areas, as well as a satellite office in Slatington Borough Hall. In addition, they have offices in both the Lehigh and Northampton County Courthouses, which give survivors and their legal advocates a safe space for counseling before and after PFA hearings as well as to navigate any other questions about the court system.
About Turning Point of Lehigh Valley: Turning Point’s mission is to eliminate domestic and intimate partner abuse in the Lehigh Valley through empowerment, education, and engagement. They are a safe place where ALL survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse and their children can find refuge and receive confidential services and reach over 2,500 people each year through their programs and services. Those include: a 24-hour Helpline, Emergency Safe House, Empowerment Counseling and Groups, Legal Advocacy, Outreach Education, and Medical Advocacy. For more information about their services, visit http://www.turningpointlv.org or call their 24/7 helpline at (610) 437-3369.
About YWCA Allentown: YWCA Allentown is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen our community. YWCA Allentown is part of an international movement serving over 2 million in the United States and 25 million worldwide. To learn more about their work, visit www.ywcaallentown.org.
Information provided to TVL by:
Andrea Search
Director of Advancement
Turning Point of Lehigh Valley
https://www.turningpointlv.org/
