Domestic Violence Initiative Showing Results

One thousand fewer calls.  Since fully implementing the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative just two years ago, High Point Police Department reports receiving 1000 fewer calls asking for a response to domestic violence incidents.  This is good news for High Point families and for our community as a whole.

Cities across our nation continue to consult with High Point and to implement this Initiative in their jurisdictions.  Roanoke, Virginia; Chula Vista, California; and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana to name a few.

HPCAV Receives United Way Venture Grant

UW_HPlogo2_4color- web smallHigh Point Community Against Violence (HPCAV) was awarded $8250 through the United Way of Greater High Point Venture Grant Program on June 24, 2014.  Thirty-four organizations applied and HPCAV was one of eight to receive funding.  Jim Summey, Executive Director and Ed Kimsey, creator of the Life Construction Program accepted the award.  The funding will be used in the Life Construction Program to assist with materials costs as well as pay participants a stipend for their work.

The Life Construction Program (LCP) teaches participants marketable construction-related skills while helping them develop a stronger work ethic, improve their decision making skills and provide on-going support as they work to change the direction of their lives.  The Program has built and installed custom cabinetry for a number of customers and upfitted a local tattoo parlor, again providing custom built cabinetry in addition to electrical and painting work.  The Carpentry Training Program (a part of LCP) also works with Community Development & Housing, City of High Point to provide home repairs to needy residents.

For more information about the Life Construction Program, contact HPCAV.

For more information about the Venture Grant Program, contact the United Way of Greater High Point.

HPU Communications Class Creates Marketing Campaigns

Earlier this year, HPCAV was chosen by the High Point University (HPU) Communications 4415 class, under the leadership of Dr. Sojung Claire Kim, as the focus of their semester’s work.  The result?  Four outstanding marketing campaigns, designed by a team of students from this class, and presented to HPCAV representatives in early May.

The R.H.O.C.K. Advertising team campaign was selected as the winner, but each campaign had ideas and strategies that could be implemented.  Included were changes to the HPCAV logo, new taglines, fundraising ideas and more and different use of social media.

What really captured HPCAV representatives’ attention was how well all the students understood the history and the goals of our organization.  Their research — conversations with Executive Director, Jim Summey, reviewing the website, attending a call-in, conducting public surveys — informed their campaign creation.  But their understanding of how communities and individuals want to be safe and the importance of building relationships drove their enthusiasm for their work.

Read more about this exciting project with High Point University and be on the lookout for changes to come!

Summey Named Senior Fellow

Jim Summey, D. D., Executive Director of High Point Community Against Violence, Inc. has been named a Senior Fellow in the Justice Programs Office (JPO) of the School of Public Affairs at American University.  Senior Fellows provide multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional perspectives to help guide justice system initiatives.  Summey was invited because of his work with the violence reduction efforts here in High Point.

“This is an exciting time to work in the justice field and your perspective and experience will greatly enrich our work,” wrote Caroline S. Cooper, Director of the Justice Programs Office at American University in the invitation.

Summey began working as a volunteer with HPCAV while he was the Minister at English Road Baptist Church in High Point.  He became Executive Director in 2009.

For more information about the Justice Programs Office and Senior Fellow Program, visit the American University website.


 

High Point Enterprise Article

Thanks to Pat Kimbrough with the High Point Enterprise for his well-written article on our Domestic Violence Initiative:  Stopping the cycle of domestic abuse.  This is a great way to learn what we are doing and how it is working, successfully, in High Point!

Community Support Continues

High Point Community Against Violence (HPCAV) is pleased to announce a $3500 donation to our organization from the Heart of High Point Fund.

HPCAV has had an almost 30 percent increase in offender contact and expressed need for assistance with food, utilities, rent, medicine and transportation in just the past two months.  In the past quarter, HPCAV provided just over $3000 in assistance to our focused deterrence offenders and their families.  The continued tight employment market and the end of many short-term jobs has meant additional challenges for our clients.  Providing this limited assistance has strained our budget as well.

Thankfully, the Heart of High Point Fund gave us and other local non-profit agencies the opportunity to apply for extra funds for the end of the calendar year.  Our organization was awarded $3500 which will balances our budget and will help us meet the current pressing needs.

We are grateful for the continued community support as we work to make High Point a safe place for everyone!

 

 

 

 

Life Construction Program Adds On

What happens when you teach someone how to measure wood, use a power tool to cut it and then put the cut pieces together?  You get a birdhouse, of course!

Birdhouses, cabinetry, shelving, a house…these are a few of the building projects that have been created by participants in the Life Construction Program of High Point Community Against Violence.  Started in 2011 by local contractor Ed Kimsey, the Life Construction Program is teaching usable skills to individuals who have been through the notification process and who show a desire to change their lives and behavior.

Laying tile in a sunroom

Laying tile in a sunroom

Our builders are learning how to adhere to a time schedule, to let someone know if they are going to be late.  Going to job sites to meet homeowners gives them “real life” practice in dressing and behaving appropriately, communicating with potential clients and understanding how to put together a cost estimate.  They also learn the importance of leaving a job site cleaner then it was when you arrived.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits is the sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes from seeing a job through, successfully, from start to finish.

The funds earned through these construction jobs goes back into the Program.  Participants who do the work are paid, which helps them meet some of their financial obligations, in addition to learning how to manage their money.

The Life Construction Program is adding on!  There are birdhouses now being sold at Ashley Interiors on South Elm Street in High Point.  Another area retailer has asked for some shelving units that will be for sale in her store, frequented by college students.  Also on the “jobs to do” list:  repairing a rental house, upfitting a new tattoo parlor in Greensboro and completing additional cabinetry jobs for homes and garages.

If you are interested in any of our products or have an idea for a custom project, please contact Ed Kimsey at 336-382-5534.

 

 

 

The Work Continues

The day to day work of building relationships, guiding our clients in skill building and positive decision making, and supporting their efforts to change their lives continues.  High Point Community Against Violence welcomes your participation in our monthly meetings as well as at our notifications or “call ins.”

The next monthly meeting will be April 10, 8:00 a.m. at the Washington Terrace Park community center on Gordon Road.  See our Events page for all upcoming meetings.

The notification meeting will be on May 7 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall on Hamilton Street.

 

Domestic Violence Initiative in the Mayors Challenge

Our High Point Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative is a top twenty finalist for the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge.  The top prize is $5 million, with four other $1 million prizes awarded.  Our final application has been submitted and we should hear something in April.  Keep your fingers crossed.  This would be an incredible opportunity to share this innovative work around the country.

In the meantime the owner of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington, is launching a Fan Favorite contest.  Check out our video and vote for the High Point initiative, share it with family, friends, and everyone you know!

The voting began February 21The URL is www.huffingtonpost.com/mayors-challenge.

Voting  runs for two weeks – from February 20 through March 6 – and the Fan Favorite winner will be announced at approximately the same time as the five Mayors Challenge winners.  Note: you can only vote once and you do not need to register to vote.

The winning city will receive a $50K Services grant from IBM to support implementation as well as featured coverage and promotion from The Huffington Post, including a monthly front page column for its mayor for a year and an interview with Arianna Huffington on Huff Post Live (HuffPo’s video news platform).

This is our chance to showcase how innovative High Point is and get national recognition.  Let them hear us!   Vote and tell everyone you know to do the same!

Let The Race Begin!

Join us for “The Amazing High Point Race.”

Be a sponsor of our first fundraiser!

Be a participant – test your knowledge of local history and your sense of community!  

Simply recruit a four-person team from your office, family, civic club, school, or place of worship -OR- compete as an individual. Your team must accumulate the most points from locations all over High Point and make it to the finish line!

Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st place winners in each of three divisions:

– Team of four (members must be at least 18)–$1,000

– Family of four (one adult/three children – OR – two adults/two children–Children must be 17 or younger.)–$500

– Individual (must be 18 or older)–$250

Entry fees for each division are:  Team of four–$100; Family of four–$50; Individual–$25

Fees are non-refundable and tax deductible.

While you and your team race through town on your scavenger hunt for points, everyone else can enjoy the Race Festival at Oak Hollow Mall.  We’ll have great food, arts and crafts, entertainment, inflatables, car shows — something for the entire family.

WHEN:  Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., rain or shine

– On-site registration* begins:  9 a.m. in the Oak Hollow Mall parking lot

– Race instructions distributed & race begins:  11 a.m.

– Race ends:  1 p.m. at the Festival site

– Winners announced:  2 p.m. (You must be present to win.)

– Festival ends:  3 p.m.

*To pre-register:  Download the Amazing High Point Race entry form or pick up a form at the High Point CAV office, 792 N. Main St.

Complete a form for each participant. Mail or hand deliver the form with your non-refundable, tax deductible entry fee check made payable to High Point CAV, 792 N. Main St., High Point, NC 27262.

See you there!