Voices Against Violence

Photo Credit: MIDDLEWAYFOODWORKS.ORG

Some twists and turns in life are hard to overcome by oneself. Voices Against Violence is an organization dedicated to helping people who find themselves in tough situations. “They help victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, bullying, and other forms of harassment and abuse,” said Callie Pomeroy, a sophomore Psychology major who is minoring in Spanish. 

Voices Against Violence provides services that range from helping someone flee from danger, and providing a safe place at their shelter, to giving a victim someone they can talk to about what happened and letting people know the different options that are available to them. They even work towards helping mothers find their children transportation to daycare. 

Voices Against Violence was established in 1981 in Plymouth as the Plymouth Task Force. This organization started out as a small group of women who served to help against domestic violence. It wasn’t until 2001 that they changed their name to Voices Against Violence. The main office is still located in Plymouth; however, they now serve 18 towns in the lower Grafton County.

There are both volunteers and professionals who work for Voices Against Violence. In order to be involved with some of the volunteer positions, interested individuals have to complete 30 hours of training. These training sessions happen twice a year. If anyone is interested in working directly with clients, he or she must complete all 30 hours of the confidentiality training. Only some of the training needs to be completed if the individual is interested in helping out around the office or with their events.

Caitlyn is a victim advocate for Voices Against Violence who wished to remain anonymous. She volunteered with the program before she started working there. She said, “We are working collectively as a community to end the cycle of violence, which is very important.” They work to create a social change through education and action. She feels that this work is extremely beneficial, both professionally as well as personally.

Pomeroy first got involved with Voices Against Violence when she joined her sorority, Psi Beta Gamma, at the beginning of last school year. She helped out with the clothesline project in which shirts made by victims and families were hung on clotheslines around the gazebo as a way to raise awareness. It was through participating in this event and her desire to work more closely with Voices Against Violence that she became the Community Service Chair of Psi Beta Gamma. This sorority makes it a point to volunteer in the clothesline project every semester. Pomeroy suggests taking a moment to read the different messages and stories from the people that Voices Against Violence helps next time the clothesline project is put on. 

Recently, Psi Beta Gamma held a toiletry drive for Voices Against Violence. They were able to collect numerous donations such as bars of soap, lotion, razors, and toothbrushes. Both organizations want to share their gratitude for the successful drive.

Voices Against Violence has proven to be very important to the community because “they are all hard-working people who are determined to help as many people as they can. They do everything/anything in their power to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and try to make their situation the best they possibly can,” said Pomeroy.

If one is interested in donating goods for this cause, the shelter is always in need of the following: toiletries, cooking supplies (i.e. pots, pans, mixing bowls, and cereal bowls), trash bags, prepaid laundry cards for local Laundromats, full sized comforters, etc. 

Those interested in volunteering for Voices Against Violence can call (603) 536-5999 and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator. Those in need of the 24-Hour Crisis Line can call 603-536-1659, or 1-877-221-6176.

Voices Against Violence is free of cost and confidential. For more information about Voices against Violence visit their website, http://www.voicesagainstviolence.net/  or their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/voicesagainstviolence.