Tag Archive for: #infinitepossibilities

TownTalk: Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Taking Place This Saturday

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Infinite Possibilities is sponsoring its third annual walk to raise money to support the groups’s work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the community is invited to come out and walk the track at Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Oct. 14 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Vanessa Henderson is an advocate who works with the nonprofit organization, and she said walkers can register ahead of time or on Saturday morning.

Sponsors and donors are donating $1 for each lap walked, so the more walkers on the track on Saturday, the better, Henderson said.

The money goes toward providing the array of services needed to support victims of domestic violence, whether it’s getting help understanding court processes such as protection orders or restraining orders to personal advocacy that may include creating a safety plan to keep individuals and their families safe, Henderson said.

In addition to assisting clients, Henderson said she also goes out into the community to raise awareness about domestic violence and resources available in the community.

The main office is located at 314 Garnett St., and there also is a location in the Vance County Courthouse. Contact 252.425.8805 to reach the courthouse office. There are two locations in Warren County – one near the magistrate’s office and the other in the courthouse. Call 252.257.1044 to reach someone in Warren County.

Henderson said she has been with the organization for about a year, and said she believes the work is paying off. “Other agencies are referring people to us,” she said. After being in the community for more than 10 years, she said, the organization is becoming better known for the services it can provide.

“It’s good to let the community know that this service is here for them,” she said. “I think the word is getting out pretty good,” she said.

 

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TownTalk: Infinite Possibilities Brings Awareness To Domestic Violence

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and two upcoming events in the community are being organized as a way to boost visibility about the prevalence – and the local services that are available for those who may need help to get out of an abusive situation.

Bratanya Simmons and Vanessa Henderson work with Infinite Possibilities, Inc. and they spoke with Bill Harris on Monday’s Town Talk about a walk that will take place at Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Oct. 1 and a candlelight vigil planned in Warrenton on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Simmons and Henderson invite walkers to take place in the second annual awareness walk, which will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the track at the recreational complex, 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson.

“Bring your walking shoes and take laps,” Simmons said. “There will be a t-shirt this year for all participants for coming out and supporting and honoring domestic violence victims.”

The candlelight vigil will take place at the Warren County courthouse square from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Speakers for the event will include representatives from the Warrenton Police Department and the department of social services. “We’re asking everyone to come out…and light a candle for those who have lost their lives to domestic violence,” Simmons said.

Henderson added that domestic violence cuts across all socio-economic categories, and both men and women can be perpetrators as well as victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

As with so many other aspects of our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges for victims, as well as for those agencies like Infinite Possibilities which try to find helpful resources.

Simmons said she has seen an uptick in the number of people who contact Infinite Possibilities for help. “Victims were home 24/7 with their abusers and perpetrators” during the COVID lockdown. But the pandemic also created additional hurdles as far as finding resources for victims, too, Henderson said.

“Not only was the pandemic bad on the victims but on the support systems for those victims were eliminated due to the lockdowns and not being able to access family and friends,” she said. The COVID lockdown affected the mental health of domestic violence survivors as well, she added.

It was also difficult to find shelters to accept victims who lived outside the county where the shelter was located.

Neither Vance County nor Warren County has an emergency shelter, and although the women have heard rumblings about the need for a shelter in the area, they said they were unaware of further plans.

Currently, they use shelters in Franklin, Durham and Wake counties.

“A shelter is needed in the area for domestic violence victims,” Simmons said.

Some basic needs are met through different organizations and referral services, but Henderson said there is a need for more.

So often, victims of domestic violence reach out to organizations like Infinite Possibilities without having a clear idea of what it is they want or need, so Simmons said it’s important to ask them specifically what they would like to have happen: is it going to an emergency shelter or is it having a restraining order in place?

They may not know how to ask for a protection order, or what kind of order they need. It takes, on average, “ seven times for victims to decide they are ready to move on and go through the court process,” Simmons explained. Organizations like Infinite Possibilities walk victims through the process.

But, Henderson added, they adhere to a strict confidentiality policy to provide safety for the victims, “ so their information is not released to anyone who could possibly put them in danger.”

The crisis line is available 24 hours a day and accepts calls and text messages. That number is 252.425.2492. The phone number for the office, located at Gateway Center, is 252.431.1926.

The number for Simmons is 252.257.1044.

Learn more at https://infinitepossibilitiesinc.net/

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TownTalk: Infinite Possibilities Shines A Light On Domestic Violence Awareness

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Erin Carter says events like the one coming up Saturday at Aycock Rec Complex are about more than awareness – it’s a public demonstration of support to show victims and survivors of domestic violence that they aren’t alone in the fight to put an end to what has become all-too-common in society.

Carter and Bretanya Simmons work with Infinite Possibilities, Inc., a place where victims of abuse can go for support and help during a crisis. Carter is a victim’s advocate and Simmons is a court advocate and also works with area youth struggling with domestic violence situations.

The “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event will start at 10 a.m., Carter told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk.

“Events like this show our clients that we are all on the same page,” Simmons said. “It’s important for our clients to see us outside our roles sometimes,” she added.

Carter and Simmons are hoping to see lots of like-minded walkers Saturday. “We are hoping for a great turnout,” Carter said, adding that participants just need to show up, sign in to get a number from the information desk and be ready to walk by 10 a.m.

The main office is in Henderson, and Simmons’s office is in Warrenton, right beside the magistrate’s office.  Clients often are referred to her when they come in to get restraining orders for partners or spouses, she said. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she saw an uptick in clients. But volume fell, she said, as the pandemic wore on: victims were stuck at home with their abusers, she said, and didn’t have an opportunity to seek help.

“Once the world stopped, and the majority of (people) were working at home, we didn’t see as many coming in – they didn’t get that time they normally would to reach out and get help with their situation,” Simmons said.

Those “situations” aren’t limited to physical abuse, Carter said. “Domestic violence is so much more than just physical abuse,” she added. Just because we don’t see bruises or other physical harm, doesn’t mean it’s not domestic violence, she said. There’s emotional abuse, financial abuse, spiritual abuse, as well as cyber bullying.

“That’s why education is so important,” Carter explained. “If we are educated, then we can help someone else.” Being able to create a conversation with someone you suspect may be a victim of domestic violence can be the first step to getting help for that person. “Create a conversation – not a coercive conversation, but an empathetic conversation, a gentle conversation…to provide information, could go a long way to help someone,” she said.

The Infinite Possibilities hotline is 252.425.2492. Learn more at infinitepossibiltiesinc.net or find them on Facebook.

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Infinite Possibilities 04/11/18

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Infinite Possibilities to promote October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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As you know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This month offers a unique opportunity for concerned community partners to help increase public awareness about the impact domestic violence has on individuals, families and the community as a whole. Domestic violence is a pervasive, life threatening crime affecting millions of individuals across our nation regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, race or religion. As the victim services Agency for Vance and Warren counties, Infinite Possibilities, Inc.’s goal is to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and to bring awareness to the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault in its entirety.

In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Infinite Possibilities, Inc. has partnered with law enforcement from Vance and surrounding counties, Department of Social Services, and other community partners to host our 3rd Annual “Light the Hoops” Charity basketball game to round –out the DVAM activities. The game will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson, NC. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the game will start at 6:00 p.m. Entrance to the game is a modest $3.00 donation. Proceeds from the game support victims of domestic violence in Vance and Warren counties. We’re sure with participation from Radio One this friendly, yet competitive contest between state and local law enforcement officials, and 1st responders to include State Bureau (SBI),Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Highway Patrol, surrounding counties’  police and Sheriff’s Department and 1st responders; will be one to remember and impactful. There will be performances and lots of fun for the whole family and engaging contests for everyone to participate in and so much more.

We ask you to consider supporting this great cause during DVAM by advertising the event throughout the month of October on all of your media outlets.

We are expecting a huge turnout this year, as every year this event continues to grow. We know with the help of your station and your dedicated listeners this will be an even greater success. Join us in spreading awareness, helping survivors, and doing everything possible to stop violence before it begins.

We solicit your participation and willingness to partner with us for this great cause. If you are in need of more information, please contact Kanika Turrentine, Executive Director at kturrentine@infinitepossibilitiesinc.com or via phone (252) 431-1926 or Sheri Moss, DV taskforce member.