Giving hope to those affected by domestic violence | Old Newsboys Day

Local high school students use their writing skills to highlight some of the charities that receive funding from Old Newsboys. See more charities served on OldNewsboysDay.org.











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Domestic violence affects one in four women and one in seven men in their lifetime. Often, survivors of domestic violence do not know where to turn for support services and refuge from abusers. This is where the Southwest Illinois Violence Prevention Center (VPC) comes in to provide support, safety and refuge to those affected by domestic violence.

For over 40 years, VPC has been committed to providing resources to domestic violence survivors in St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties in Illinois. Resources include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling services, legal defense programs and rapid relocation.

“Victims of domestic violence can access specialized support in one place instead of going from place to place and possibly being traumatized again by repeating their story over and over,” said Melissa Tutterow , director of development.

The Center is the only organization in the region that provides services to survivors of family violence. With the help of local law enforcement, legal agencies and other community resources, the organization can support more than 1,600 people each year and help them make the transition to a life free from violence. One of their most widely used services is the 24-hour emergency hotline, which provides survivors with immediate assistance from a qualified domestic violence lawyer. The hotline is always available and accessible by calling (618) 235-0892.

Since the pandemic, victims of domestic violence are more at risk than ever. The Violence Prevention Center is continually working to strengthen current programs. The organization has implemented new procedures, including counseling sessions organized through Zoom. Additionally, the Shelter Shop requires masks to enter and the number of shoppers in the store is limited. The VPC also took to Amazon to create a wishlist for donations to be shipped directly instead of being dropped off in person.

“About 25% of our funding comes from private donations,” Tutterow said. “Donations are essential to the work we do. They make sure the hotline receives a response when a survivor calls for help; they ensure that survivors are supported when filling out a protection order; and they provide a survivor and her child with a safe place to sleep when they flee from an abuser.

Donations can be made to the Center in the form of monetary payment or wishlist items. Items are sent directly to the Shelter Shop, where survivors can purchase their essentials free of charge. Volunteer opportunities are also available for individuals and groups. Businesses can schedule a workday for their employees, or individuals can volunteer their time in the Shelter Shop as a shelf keeper or donation sorter.


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