IN THIS ISSUE - September 2020
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Black & White Ball Wrap-up
- Training Spotlight
- ICYMI - Together for Her
- Volunteer Spotlight
- LAST DAY - The Piazza Center
Tomorrow, October 1st, marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. You will certainly be hearing more from us in the coming month. But… to kick-off this unique #DVAM in the year of COVID-19, two things are on our hearts and minds:
We are continually energized and inspired by our attorneys, who have been on the front lines, providing real solutions to survivors and helping them throughout the crisis.
While we have seen a concerning rise in domestic violence due to stay-at-home orders, we have also been encouraged by the increase in public awareness concerning the critical issue of domestic violence. We hope to continue this momentum of information and attention being paid to survivors.
The 2020 Black & White Ball presented by Accenture was indeed a successful shift to a virtual gala. Our Virtual Speakeasy to Support Survivors raised a total of $270,015!
We are overcome with gratitude to our Chair, Jeannette Spinelli, the entire Black & White Ball Committee, community leaders who have stuck with us this year, and everyone in between who supported our virtual gala.
We were thrilled to honor Cynt Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, with our 2020 Vision Award for her work to end intimate partner violence. If you missed Cynt's inspiring acceptance speech, you can watch it HERE!
It's not too late to join these leaders in supporting our vision to end power based abuse across Texas. Help us reach our goal of $300,000 by making a donation today!
Created with the superhero essential worker in mind, Going Beyond the Job Description: How to Recognize & Respond to Domestic Violence in the Workplace, is a 30 minute training designed to equip you with the tools necessary to spot and act when domestic violence has impacted someone in your workplace. This training will teach you motivations and characteristics of an abuser, effects of abuse on survivors, barriers to leaving abusive relationships, what you can do to support a survivor, and how TAP can help.
This training is perfect for you if:
- You work with clients that come into your store.
- You manage employees or work on a team.
- You deliver goods to clients’ homes or clean homes.
- You are a teacher, doctor, grocery store worker, mail delivery person, pharmacist, food delivery person, hair stylist, banker… the list goes on and on!
Each and every person in our community can help recognize and respond to domestic violence. While it’s not in your job description, this training will provide a helpful foundational knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and what you can do to help, should the need arise. Unfortunately, 74% of Texans will be impacted by domestic violence, or will know someone who has. You could be the reason a survivor is empowered to leave an abuser. You could be the voice that saves a survivor’s life.
Spend 30 minutes with your teammates or employees and learn what to do, should you encounter an employee with unexplained absences and changed behavior or a client with worrisome bruises.
Feel free to share this new training with anyone who may be interested. If you’d like to schedule this free training, please send an email to [email protected].
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This past month TAP received a generous grant from #TogetherForHer, a joint initiative of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project - CTAOP, CARE, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.
Together For Her is a call to action to stand in solidarity with women and girls around the world by deploying funds and supporting the global response against domestic violence during the time of COVID-19.
Not only are we receiving a grant from Together For Her, Lyft has also joined this initiative to provide ride credits to help women who are leaving, or who have left, dangerous situations. TAP is 1 of 16 nonprofits across the country to receive ride credits for our clients!
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Why did you choose to be a TAP Volunteer?
I was a legal intern for TAP last summer, and it was a life-changing few months. It really transformed the way I view both law and public service. The pandemic we’re living through has caused so many people to experience tremendous loss and upheaval. I know that everyone at TAP has been and still is working tirelessly to ensure that their resources continue to be available for those who need them during this time. I feel a real responsibility to support such amazing work however I can.
How has volunteering at TAP impacted you? What did you learn that you didn’t know before?
I’ve certainly learned a lot about family law in Texas and a lot about domestic and dating violence and sexual assault in the US as a whole. I’ve also learned a lot about working in legal advocacy and the kind of commitment and grace that that work demands. The thing that sticks with me the most, though, is what I’ve learned about leadership and community from getting to spend time at TAP. As a young person, I have felt so empowered from being surrounded by people who are compassionate and so good at what they do. TAP Chief Legal Officer Bronwyn Blake, is a real inspiration to me. Watching her, taught me a great deal about how impactful it can be to have good leadership that empowers others.
What are enjoying most about your time at TAP?
I’m really enjoying being in regular touch with people from the office and being more involved in the TAP community again! TAP has a remarkable office culture. When I interned with them for the first time last summer, I immediately felt included and supported as a member of the community. I think the people at TAP make it a very special place to work and learn.
Briefly describe what you do for TAP as a volunteer?
I have been working on projects that I can do remotely. This has primarily meant assisting with social media campaigns, data entry, and research projects.
Why is TAP’s mission so important to share with others?
TAP’s mission to empower survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking is absolutely essential to the wellbeing of both individuals and communities. By empowering individuals, you empower the communities those individuals participate in. Sexual assault and domestic and dating violence are too often swept under the rug when it comes to public conversations because they can be exposing or uncomfortable topics, but it is important to keep a spotlight on these issues. It is an unbelievable gift to have an organization working to provide legal support to survivors and education on healthy relationships.
Where do you go to school? Any plans after graduation?
I am currently a senior at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. After graduation I plan to take a few years to work and pursue music before attending law school.
What is your favorite pastime? Where can we typically find you on the weekends?
I am a musician (violinist/fiddler) and, ordinarily, I really love going to pubs to play in traditional music sessions. B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub was my favorite place to play music when I was in Austin. Since the pandemic, however, I have been finding quieter activities. I’ve been really enjoy reading and have also taken up online lessons in Manx, a language from the Isle of Man that almost no one speaks anymore, but is still very interesting to me!
Today is the LAST DAY to treat yourself (or a loved one) to a Z-Spa Package and support survivors all in one!
Z-SPA PACKAGE INCLUDES
~ Skin Care Consultation with our new Visia Skin Analysis machine
~ Hydra Facial MD
~ Dermaplaning
~ Brow Shape and Tint
~ Paraffin Hand Treatment
~ 2.5 hours of pampering
All yours for $299 each, of which $180 is donated to TAP. The overall package has a retail value of $365... That's 60% of the sales being donated to TAP!