Transitioning Times

Transitionsof PA , a local comprehensive crime victims’ service center, serving Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation ℠. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for a total of $3 million.              Transitions of PA will use the grant funding to provide critical support for its economic empowerment and financial management programs for survivors of domestic violence. “At Transitions of PA, we are incredibly grateful for support from The Mary Kay Foundation ℠ and its commitment to break the cycle of domestic violence,” said Transitions Chief Executive Officer, Susan K. Mathias. “The most common reason victims stay in or return to abusive relationships is that they don’t have the financial resources to br...

Domestic violence and sexual assault are serious topics to talk about that often leave us with heavy hearts.  However, there have been many positive strives towards ending violence against women that give us a reason for hope. Landmark federal legislation was passed in 1994 entitled the Violence Against Women Act which aims to hold offenders accountable and ensure the provision of direct services to victims. Fewer people experience domestic violence than before the Violence Against Women Act was enacted in 1994. Between 1993 and 2010, the rate of intimate partner violence declined 67%. Between 1993 to 2007, the rate of intimate partner homicides of females decreased 35% and the rate of intimate partner homicides of males decreased 46%. More victims are reporting domestic and sexual violence to police, and reports to police are resulting in more arrests. States have reformed their laws to take violence against women more seriously.    All state...

On October 5, 2015, Transitions hosted a training titled Stopping Human Trafficking in Central Pennsylvania at the Best Western Plus Country Cupboard Inn.  87 people attended, including 42 victim advocates, 16 law enforcement personnel, 13 medical professionals, 11 Children and Youth personnel, 3 prosecutors, and others.  Information was provided by Viktoria Kristiansson, Attorney Advisor for Aequitas: The Prosecutors’ Resource for Violence Against Women; Detective William Woolf with Fairfax County, Virginia; and D. Peter Johnson, Union County District Attorney.  Participants learned how to identify victims and perpetrators of human trafficking, how to successfully investigate human trafficking cases, and possible strategies at trial and sentencing.  Act 105, Pennsylvania’s human trafficking law, and new protections for victims, including Sexual Violence Protection Orders and Protection from Intimidation Orders were also reviewed.  This training was made possib...

The exhibit of 'An Empty Place at the Table' was created in response to numerous domestic violence homicides in Lackawanna County in 1993. The first exhibit was created by the Women’s Resource Center, Inc., but it is used by many domestic violence centers and similar agencies across the nation. 'An Empty Place at the Table' shows the devastating effects of domestic violence and makes sure that the victims are not forgotten. In addition, the exhibit shows that domestic violence related homicides undoubtedly leave an empty spot at the table. Transitions will be putting up Empty Place at the Table displays in many locations across Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties to remember individuals who lost their lives in due to domestic violence. The four people highlighted in the displays are Jean Sanders, whose life was taken by her grandson that she raised on Feb 17, 2013 at the age of 71; Destiny Spencer, whose life was taken by her fiancé and the father of her thr...

On an average day, nearly 11,000 requests for emergency shelter, childcare and other services go unanswered due to a lack of funding at domestic violence nonprofits around the country. Even as demand for services increases, these programs continue to operate with limited resources. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse is trying to change those numbers. Transitions of PA has been selected as one of more than 160 participating nonprofits across the country to be a part of the Purple Purse Challenge, which raises funds for nonprofits serving domestic violence victims. Transitions of PA was chosen for its commitment to providing financial empowerment services to domestic violence survivors. Through the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Challenge at PurplePurse.com , each participating organization can raise program funds. And to encourage public donations, the Allstate  Foundation is investing $500,000 in Challenge sweepstakes and contests. In addition to donating through the Chal...