Did you know that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month? During this time, Waypoint hosts the Gentleman Campaign© in an effort to raise funds and awareness to end domestic violence. The campaign was established in 2013 in an effort to recognize the “true gentlemen” in our communities who are willing to stand up against violence. This year, the campaign added a new element. By focusing on the phrase “I Am Enough”, Waypoint hopes to spread awareness for the importance of healthy relationships and ensure that everyone, both men and women, young and old, know that they are enough and are deserving of love and support.
The Gentleman Campaign© events support Waypoint’s Domestic Violence (DV) Victim Services Program, which served 2,277 survivors of domestic violence with advocacy, resources, and support last fiscal year. The program offers a 24/7 Resource & Support Line, which was answered 6,794 times last year. The program also provides medical advocacy, legal advocacy, safety planning, financial literacy, support groups, and more throughout a 7 county service area, including: Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Delaware, Dubuque, Linn, and Jones Counties. All services are 100% free and confidential and available to anyone needing services, regardless of gender, race, income levels, or life experiences.
With one in three women experiencing domestic violence within their lifetime, it is very likely that you know someone who has experienced domestic violence (National Network to End Domestic Violence). Every day, Waypoint’s Domestic Violence Program works to help survivors feel safe and learn about the resources available to overcome the impact of domestic violence can have on someone’s life. It is because of supporters like YOU that Tessa* and her family are able to move forward after domestic violence. This is Tessa’s story:
Tessa was experiencing ongoing abuse from her partner and feared for the safety of her two young children. One day, her abuser assaulted her and proceeded to lock her out of the home they shared. Not knowing where to turn, she reached out to Waypoint for help, and a Victim Advocate assisted her with having him removed from the property and getting the locks changed. Throughout this process, she also received emotional support and guidance to move forward in her life.
Having never previously worked, Tessa had no income to support her family once she was on her own. She soon secured a job, but needed gas to get to and from work to be able to provide for her family and rebuild their lives. Waypoint provided Tessa with gas cards so she could maintain her momentum and continue working. Through this support, she was able to stabilize her finances and keep her job.
Want to help? Check out our Domestic Violence Victim Services page to learn more about the program or take one of the action steps below:
- Apply to be a volunteer
- Give a gift to the Domestic Violence Program
- Purchase a Gentleman Campaign© t-shirt
- Become a social media ambassador and share our content throughout the month to raise awareness for ending domestic violence
*Name has been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client
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Gentleman Day 2020
Every year, Waypoint works to spread awareness about the importance of healthy relationships to ensure that everyone, both men and women, young and old, know that they are enough and are deserving of love and support. Waypoint hosts the Gentleman Campaign© every year in October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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Waypoint Boasts Many Successes in 2020 So Far
2020 has been a rough year for everyone, including Waypoint. Despite the chaos that the beginning of the year brought, Waypoint is grateful for the dedicated staff, volunteers, and community members who made the following accomplishments possible in fiscal year 2020. Waypoint is hopeful that this momentum will continue throughout the remainder of 2020 so those in crisis can continue to receive they support they need to move forward.