2 weeks Ago
At TESSA, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Yes, even in November. Everyone there is excited for common unity to make the season bright.
Year-round, TESSA offers information and resource referral service for those threatened or assaulted by their domestic partners. Their organizational mission to build a community without family violence is a serious one. Yet, at this agency everyone looks forward to fun during the holidays as a respite to such seriousness.
According to Chief Executive Officer Anne Markley, TESSA is incredibly unique in our state. TESSA’s ability to provide wrap-around services for their clients includes in-house or off-site therapy, plus housing and rental/utility assistance. Other services like their 24-hour Safe Line, Safe house, victim advocacy, legal services, youth and children's programs help it to move participants, “from victim to survivor and from survivor to sufficiency.
” On the TESSA website is one such story. Andrea (the name was changed to protect the victim’s identity) worked with TESSA. TESSA victim advocates listened to Andrea and gave her step-by-step instructions to help her to stop the abuse.
TESSA advocates went to court to help Andrea. All were relieved when the judge granted a restraining order. But a week later, Andrea’s husband violated it.
An officer visited with Andrea about the situation, and Andrea finally told someone that her husband not only physically assaulted her but sexually assaulted her. Andrea’s husband was arrested. Andrea heard when he was released.
She packed as fast as she could, put her kids in the car, stayed at a hotel that night, and they checked into the Safehouse the next day. Andrea was met with kindness, patience and understanding at the Safehouse. She had no family in the area, and her friends were afraid to help, so the Safehouse felt like the best way to keep her family safe.
She stayed in the Safehouse for a little over a month and started counseling. Andrea regularly talked with staff about her court questions, her children’s questions, and her emotions surrounding the entire situation. After moving out of the safe house, Andrea and her children continued receiving counseling at TESSA.
Now, a few years later, Andrea has divorced her husband (who was convicted). She and her children no longer live in fear. TESSA has many such stories in their 48-year-old history.
Even so, grant funds are decreasing. Unfortunately, federal funds from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) have been drastically cut. This is affecting family violence prevention agencies all over the nation.
Markley told us that this is a stress deeply felt by the nonprofit. But you can help. When money is given to TESSA, more than 90% goes directly to victims.
Markley also told us that “Being in the Empty Stocking Fund is impactful, because unlike grants or government funds community given funds can be used in any aspect of the agency that has a need. “ The TESSA Holiday Shoppe is a specific need that would benefit from such community support. The premise of the Shoppe is simple: Families living in TESSA’s Safehouse and other survivors who receive their services are invited to “shop” at the central office.
The families select gifts from a variety of novel items donated by community members to TESSA during November and December. All "shopping" for participants is free. Children, parents, therapists and support staff all look forward to the special event.
It’s almost time for the 2024 Holiday Shoppe. It runs Dec. 1-12.
All community help like volunteering or gifts are welcome. But donations can fill needed gaps..
