Turning Point Community Services

Did you know that domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and their children in the United States? October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and despite the prevalence of domestic violence, it often remains hidden behind closed doors, covered in silence and fear. This is why raising awareness is a critical step toward bringing change and protecting those affected. It is estimated that 50% or more of homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence. How can domestic violence lead to homelessness for women? A. They flee their homes to escape abuse. B. They are evicted if the abuse occurs at their residence. C. The trauma and disruption of abuse cause job loss and an inability to afford housing. D. A combination of all of the above. Homeless women who have experienced domestic violence often face complex trauma, mental health issues, and substance abuse problems as a result of the abuse, further complicating their path out of homelessness. But there are some critical steps we can take to help domestic violence survivors escape homelessness such as: 1. Increasing their access to transitional and permanent affordable housing. 2. Ensuring they receive comprehensive support services such as counseling, job training, and child care. There is an immense need for an integrated, trauma-informed approach to addressing this urgent social issue so please advocate and share this post to let others know. #DVawareness #domesticviolence #Nonprofit #endhomelessness

This November, TPCS is drawing attention to National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This is a prime opportunity for you and your company to spread the word about our nation's growing hunger and homelessness crisis. You can make a local impact by supporting Turning Point Community Services’s Charity Care Program, which provides essential services to unhoused mothers and their children. Your contributions—whether individual or collective—will ensure that New Jersey families have access to more emergency housing, case management, counseling, financial literacy and job readiness workshops, as well as wellness and educational programs for all family members. TPCS cannot rely on governmental funding alone. Join our campaign and make a difference. Simply click the link below to start fundraising for us. TPCS will provide you with all the social media, email, and text content you need to share our mission. Want to learn more about our Charity Care Program Campaign? Contact Dawn, who can also set your company up with a leaderboard to track your progress. If you can't start your own campaign, you can still make a difference. Donate today by clicking the link below. https://lnkd.in/d6rFPcPw #everydollarcounts #fundraising #homelessness #hunger #charitycareprogram #newjersey

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to spotlight our Board Chair, Elizabeth (Liz) Sutton who is a proud Boricua 🇵🇷 We sat down with Liz and asked her some questions about what it means for her to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: Q: What is your Hispanic descent? A: Puerto Rican Q: What is your favorite cultural tradition? A: Cooking with my mom and sister during the holidays! Q: What is your favorite memory you have related to your cultural celebrations, people, travel, etc.? A: When I was about 7 years old, my family moved to Puerto Rico and it was the first time we spent a Christmas away from New Jersey. More importantly, it was HOT! The biggest joy I gained during those holidays that will forever be cemented in my memory is the “Parrandas.” This is the Boricua version of the Christmas Carol. While I missed New Jersey dearly, this was the most heart-warming and touching way that I was able to embrace my hispanic heritage in a a very authentic way at a young age. Q: Do you have any traditions that you continue to practice? A: Every Christmas, my mom, sisters, and I gather to make pasteles which is a Puerto Rican gourmet dish that is made with a plantain “masa” and slow cooked protein called pernil (pork shoulder) and it’s wrapped in plantain sheets like a gift. It is something we have done every year since I can remember. Q: Is there anything you want the people to know about your connection to your heritage and culture? A: I have a large family, I’m 1 of 8 children, and while we come from humble beginnings, the love, togetherness, and support system has instilled in me invaluable family values. Having that foundation has allowed me to appreciate the simple things in life and those are the memories I will cherish forever. Thank you for sharing your culture and service with us Liz! This amazing woman and cloud computing leader at Amazon Web Services has been serving as our Board Chair since 2023. We are honored and excited to have Liz lead our growing board. #HispanicHeritageMonth #leader #boardchair #amazonwebservices

Labor Day started in the late 19th century as a way to recognize the contributions and achievements of American workers. However, the connection between Labor Day and homelessness highlights the challenges many workers face in attaining financial stability and secure housing. Homelessness and Unemployment: One of the primary drivers of homelessness is the lack of stable, well-paying employment. Individuals who are unemployed or underemployed often struggle to afford necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. This can lead to a spiral into homelessness, as they lose the means to maintain a permanent residence. Labor Day serves as a reminder that even in the world's wealthiest nation, many hardworking individuals lack access to the economic opportunities and support systems needed to achieve financial security and stable housing. Addressing Homelessness through Labor Policies: To truly honor the spirit of Labor Day and support working families, policymakers and community leaders must address the systemic issues that drive homelessness. This could involve expanding access to affordable housing, increasing the minimum wage, strengthening worker protections, and investing in job training and placement programs. By addressing the root causes of homelessness and empowering workers, we can work towards a more equitable and just society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. We recognize these issues affecting our community and are taking action every day to support our clients through individualized plans and a holistic approach so we can work toward a future where the ideals of Labor Day—the dignity of work and the importance of worker rights—are realized for them. #policychange #essexcounty #nonprofit #homelessshelter #laborday

We are so excited to share another amazing story of a mom who has graduated outside of TPCS’s facility. We are honored and proud to have been a safe stop on the way home for Leticia and her son. Leticia is just 21 years old and courageously left a negative family environment to make a better life for her and her son.They stayed at TPCS’s Servant’s House facility, receiving all the wrap-around care services we provide including counseling, financial literacy programs, and job readiness workshops. These supportive services helped her land a job and shared living situation with another mother. Her positive attitude and determination has been the key to this young woman making progress on the path of stability and independence. TPCS is honored to continue providing supportive services to mom’s like Leticia. If you want to learn more about TPCS and the impact we are having on women and families in need of housing and support, head to TPCSinc.org or contact us at info@tpcsinc.org to get involved. #successstory #homelessshelter #essexcounty

Did you know that September is Hunger Action Month? We ask that you join TPCS this September to help raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity issues. Many of our homeless families are food insecure and the numbers are staggering statewide. According to the latest data: ▪️ In 2022 there were approximately 960,000 people facing food insecurity in the state of New Jersey. ▪️ New Jersey's food insecurity rate is around 10.7%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 10.2%. ▪️ Of the 960,000 food-insecure individuals in NJ, around 310,000 are children under the age of 18. We encourage all of you to take action to fight hunger in your communities. Getting involved could include volunteering at a food bank, donating to a local food pantry, spreading awareness on social media, or advocating for policies that address the root causes of hunger. And we want to share a huge thank you to our amazing new partner @Community Food Bank of New Jersey for their commitment to helping our families avoid food insecurity through our emergency shelter pantry!

Thank you team Littler for your support as our TPCS kids head back to school! This partnership helped us send TPCS’s children back to school with an abundance of supplies to get their school year started on the right foot. Education is an extremely important part of a child’s life, helping to set them up for their future, develop social skills, and teach them how to be in community with their peers. We are so grateful to be sending our young minds into this school year with backpacks filled to the brim! We look forward to working with you again soon to empower our families for a brighter future. #backtoschool #littler #donor

TPCS is proud to have been a ‘Safe Stop on the Way Home’ for Ms. Aldabesheh and her son. “I wanted to send a thank you to all the staff for being supportive during my time of need. I appreciate all the helping hands and motivation to transition into my own apartment. My son has benefited so much from this transition, having his own space to grow and express himself. He has been adapting to Puerto Rico well and is even learning a bit of Spanish. Idris says hi to everyone from PR 🇵🇷 🙌🏽 🌻 ☀️ Thank you, Ms. Aldabesheh” #safestoponthewayhome #newhome #endfamilyhomelessness

She is truly 👀 ‘one to watch’. Her new strategic plan excites me for what’s to come for Turning Point Community Services! I’m just here to help her make her vision a reality! #endfamilyhomelessness

Congratulations to our incredible leader Karimah! Karimah received the 2024 ‘ONE TO WATCH’ Enterprising Women in Commerce Award for her achievements, determination, and dedication in the field of human services. Karimah inspires and encourages others daily to be their best selves. Her leadership efforts will undoubtedly leave a mark on our community. A huge shout out of gratitude goes to The Commerce and Industry Association of NJ & the @Commerce Magazine selection committee for this recognition. There are so many other amazing things happening at TPCS. To learn more, head to our website and check out the latest edition of our newsletter. https://lnkd.in/efV_et5P #leadership #award #executivedirector #enterprisingwoman