One in three women will be a victim of some form of intimate partner violence in her lifetime. An average of four women are murdered every month in the state of Wisconsin, and about half of those homicides occur in rural areas like ours.
 
Turningpoint provides help for survivors to rebuild healthy lives free from domestic violence and abuse.
One in three women will be a victim of some form of intimate partner violence in her lifetime. An average of four women are murdered every month in the state of Wisconsin, and about half of those homicides occur in rural areas like ours, said Amy Rydberg, Turningpoint.

The mission of Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence is to provide support and resources to achieve freedom from domestic and sexual violence.
 
Turningpoint’s history dates back to 1979, when volunteers opened their own homes to victims of violence. Their crisis shelter was built in 1989; a fundraising campaign in 2016 expanded the shelter from 14 to 21 beds, and they have recently expanded satellite services to New Richmond. Although they have 21 beds, accommodating up to 25 people (including children), the facility is relatively small. The shelter uses a communal living model, with seven bedrooms and shared cooking, dining, family and bathroom spaces. All rooms were furnished and decorated by community members.

Turningpoint primarily serves women and children. The shelter is staffed 24/7/365. Clients typically stay up to 90 days After an intake process, clients are assigned a primary advocate, who works with them to establish goals and identify the skills, resources and confidence needed to eventually leave the shelter.
 
In addition to running the shelter, Turningpoing offers a 24-hour crisis line, crisis counseling, support groups, personal advocacy, emergency transportation and other related services.
 
Turningpoing’s Home Start program works with the Second Chances thrift store to provide the items needed when clients make the transition to apartment living.

Turningpoint has strong diversivication in its funding sources, with 37% coming from government grants, 18% from corporate and foundation grants, 18% from individual donors, 4% from the United Way, and 23% from the Second Chances thrift store.
 
Turningpoint is governed by a ten-member board of directors, nine full-time staff and ten part-time staff. Sixty core volunteers contribute about 200 hours/week to support Turningpoint.

There are many ways to help Turningpoint, including:
  • Hosting a table at the annual Transforming Lives breakfast,
  • Participating in their new women’s half-marathon,
  • Donating to and/or shopping at Second Chances,
  • Volunteering at the shelter or at Second Chances, or simply making cash contributions.
 
 
At left:  Congratulations to Turningpoint for its recent recognition as the 2018 Nonprofit of the Year!