Advocacy In Action

September 2024 Newsletter

News and Updates from Turning Point of Lehigh Valley

Community Safety Roundtable

On August 15, 2024, our Children’s Advocacy Director, Braley Veras, met with community leaders and Senator Nick Miller to talk about ways to make our communities safer for everyone. At Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, we focus on educating young people about healthy relationships because we believe teaching them important skills like conflict resolution, setting boundaries, and good communication can help build stronger communities.

During the roundtable discussion, Braley pointed out that adults currently in the justice system or dealing with law enforcement were once children. If those children had received the right support and services early on, it could have helped prevent some of the struggles they now face. By investing in youth and giving them the tools they need to handle challenges, we have a better chance of reducing negative behaviors in the future.

As part of our strategic plan, we’re excited to expand our work in schools thanks to new funding from a PCCD Violence Intervention & Prevention grant. This grant will help us offer more programs in Lehigh and Northampton County schools to teach young people about preventing violence in relationships and the community. We’re already starting to partner with schools to provide counseling and group support. Our goal is to work with students to help them develop healthy relationship skills and create safer, more positive environments for everyone.

Strength 'n Love Casino Event

in support of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley

Join Strength n' Love for an unforgettable evening at the Woodstone Country Club on September 26th from 5-10 PM! Enjoy thrilling casino games, exciting raffles, and delectable bites, all while supporting the Turning Point of Lehigh Valley. It’s a night of fun, camaraderie, and philanthropy you won’t want to miss. Roll the dice for a great cause and make a difference!

Buy your tickets today through September 17th!

Celebrating our Board Volunteers

As we move closer to having new Board Members join us in October, we want to celebrate those who are finishing their 2nd term of service to Turning Point. This month, we recognize Sheila Ketterer, who joined us as a Board Member in 2018. Sheila shared her prior expertise as both an executive in Fortune 500 companies and as an entrepreneur to guide our agency as President from 2021-2023. Most recently, she serves as Chair of our Comprehensive Campaign Steering Committee.

We have truly valued Sheila's dedication and service, and asked her to share thoughts on what Turning Point has meant to her.

How did your corporate management background help you in leading Turning Point?

My experience with diverse teams, corporate budgeting, and project management helped me to be aware of what I was able to offer the Board, but also recognize what I desperately needed to learn. I knew how to motivate a team, how to manage a budget, and how to coordinate diverse thoughts and actions towards a common goal; all of which were extremely helpful from an organizational and structural perspective for my various roles on the Board. Alternatively, I quickly discovered I had a lack of knowledge about non-profit funding requirements, trauma-informed services, and legislation that was impacting survivors. My ability to ask questions, rely on trusted experts, and willingly put in the work to learn the things I didn’t know was extremely critical and ultimately helped me to be more effective in my leadership role and be a better ally for survivors.

What has been the most rewarding part of serving on Turning Point’s Board?

The most rewarding part of serving on Turning Point’s Board has been knowing that over the past six years, I have made a positive impact on people who were experiencing some form of abuse. I was able to give my time, energy, experience, and support, both emotional and financial, to those in need. I did not meet or know all the people who were benefiting from the work we were doing – I just knew that we were doing the best we could for people who truly needed our help to survive. I am humbled and grateful that I had the means and opportunity to make a difference, allowing survivors to move forward from abuse to safety and security.

What’s one piece of advice you would share with anyone considering board service?

The advice I will offer is to look inside yourself and be sure that you are aligned with the mission of this organization before committing to serve. It is emotionally demanding work as you embrace the full impact of your volunteer service, and I am in constant awe of the Turning Point team who have chosen this path as their life’s work. There is frustration, disappointment, anger and fear as you work to navigate the complexities of domestic and intimate partner abuse to help those in need. There is also a sense of pride, happiness, and relief as you see survivors achieving freedom from abuse. Board service is truly what you make of it and having a clarity of purpose before you commit is critical for your personal growth and the ultimate success of the Board.

What do you hope your legacy will be from your service with Turning Point?



As I think about a legacy, I think about flexibility and sustainability. During my tenure on the Board, we dedicated our efforts to developing a Strategic Plan for Turning Point that reflected our commitment to our mission and vision yet remained flexible enough to shift and change as needed. We endured political changes and a global pandemic and remained steadfast in our ability to adapt as necessary to continue to serve survivors. We constantly forced ourselves to evaluate our actions and tactics, to be critical of our decision-making, and continually test to make sure our plan kept us focused on moving the organization forward with purpose. I would like to think that as the Board carries on, there are some echoes lingering of how we are allowed to change, allowed to adjust, and allowed to fail forward, learning from our mistakes and ultimately setting the pace for progress in the fight against domestic and intimate partner abuse.

Thank you to Sheila for all her work during her time on the board; we will miss her!

Unlock Your Potential: Discover Exciting Training Opportunities

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 access the details for each event.

Join Us for Turning Point's Annual Survivors Vigil: A Night of Remembrance and Resilience

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, Turning Point of Lehigh Valley invites you to our Annual Survivors Vigil—a poignant evening dedicated to honoring those whose lives were tragically cut short by domestic violence and celebrating the courage of survivors who are navigating their way to safety and freedom.

Vigil Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 17th
• Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
• Location: First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem
• Address: 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18017

Event Description: This evening will be a powerful gathering centered on hope, healing, and unity. Together, we will pay tribute to the incredible strength and resilience of survivors while solemnly commemorating the lives lost to domestic and intimate partner abuse.

• Doors Open: 5:30 PM
• Program: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Free parking is available on-site.

We hope you'll join us for this important event as we stand together in solidarity with survivors and reaffirm our commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse. Your presence makes a difference—let’s come together to support and uplift those impacted by domestic violence.

The Intersection of Domestic Abuse and Addiction

The Intersection of Addiction and Domestic and Intimate Partner Abuse

At Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, we know that recovering from domestic and intimate partner abuse is a complex process. One important and often overlooked issue is the link between addiction and domestic abuse. These problems often make each other worse, creating a cycle that is hard to break without proper support.

The Vicious Cycle

Addiction and domestic abuse frequently occur together. Studies show that 60-75% of women in substance abuse treatment have experienced domestic violence. Substance use can be a way to cope with the trauma of abuse, but it can also increase the risk of further violence. For many survivors, their abuser's substance use is a major factor in the cycle of violence. In fact, 40-60% of intimate partner violence incidents involve substance use.

Dual Stigma and Barriers to Help

Survivors who struggle with addiction face a double stigma, making it even harder to seek help. Fear of judgment or disbelief can prevent many from reaching out. This dual stigma can lead to survivors being overlooked or underserved by traditional support systems. Nearly 90% of women with substance use disorders have experienced domestic or sexual violence. This highlights the need for integrated support services.

Trauma and Self-Medication

The trauma from intimate partner violence can lead to substance abuse as a form of self-medication. Over 50% of women in addiction treatment have experienced domestic violence, showing a strong link between trauma and substance use. Addressing this trauma is essential for breaking the cycle of abuse and addiction. Survivors need access to trauma-informed care that acknowledges their experiences and supports their healing journey.

Holistic and Integrated Support

At Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, we advocate for holistic and integrated support for survivors. Effective intervention must address both domestic abuse and addiction at the same time. Programs that integrate these services show higher success rates in helping survivors rebuild their lives. By offering comprehensive care that includes mental health support, addiction treatment, and safe housing, we can empower survivors to achieve lasting recovery and safety.

Empowerment Through Compassion

Empowering survivors requires a deep commitment to compassion, understanding, and actively dismantling the barriers they encounter. At Turning Point, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where survivors feel truly seen, heard, and validated. Through empathetic, non-judgmental support, we assist survivors in reclaiming their strength and autonomy, paving the way for healthier, more empowered lives. Additionally, we have provided training opportunities and resources to community organizations like Treatment Trends, Pyramid, and Clean Slate to ensure that when survivors are ready to take the next step in their journey, they have access to the resources and support that's needed.

 Calling All Community Members! Your Voice Matters! 

Turning Point of Lehigh Valley is partnering with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to bring you the Victims Needs Survey (VNS). This survey is designed to gather insights from individuals who may have been impacted by crime. Your participation will help us better understand the needs of our community and improve access to vital support services.



📅 Why Now? Your feedback is crucial as we continue our efforts to enhance resources and services for victims of crime. The information you provide will play a key role in shaping future initiatives and ensuring that everyone has access to the help they need.

📱 How to Participate:

1. Online: Click the link to take the survey: Take the Survey
2. QR Code: Simply scan the QR code below with your mobile device to get started.

🔗 Your Contribution Matters! By completing this short survey, you're helping us gather essential data to improve the services available to victims of crime in our community.

💬 Questions? Contact the PCCD Office of Victim Services at RA-CDCDOVSINITIATIVE@pa.gov.

Thank you for making a difference!

Host a Drive

Join us in making Halloween a little brighter

for those receiving services by hosting a Halloween Drive!

Let's come together and bring some spooky joy to our shelter this season!

We're collecting costumes, decorations, costume accessories, storage for the

donated items and trick or treat bags for families who have experienced domestic and intimate partner abuse. Your contributions will help create a fun and festive environment, allowing children and adults alike to enjoy the holiday in safety.