Dear Friends & Supporters,
Over the past two decades, we’ve weathered many seasons of change, and this year was no exception. Yet we’ve stood undeterred as a steadfast pillar for our community to rely on. Resilience is at the core of who we are, and the determination of our domestic violence survivors, seniors, and youth keeps us motivated to stay strong.
As we reflect on 2024, it’s clear that this year marks a milestone in our history. Not only did we celebrate 20 years of service to our community, but this year also signifies a period of rejuvenation for our organization.
Here’s a look back at the highlights that defined this year:
In the spring, we raised over $40,000 in zakat funds through our Ramadan #RaiseForResilience campaign to support domestic violence survivors. To celebrate, the Turning Point family gathered for our annual Iftar, sharing a moment of solidarity and combating isolation during Ramadan. We also intensified our outreach efforts, raising awareness about domestic violence at community events, from health fairs to rallies organized by community partners such as CACF, the Queens Borough President’s Immigrant Task Force, KAFSC, and the South Queens Park Association, among others. Our team also traveled to Albany to advocate at the New York State Assembly’s AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islander) Summit.
This summer, our Annual Mother-Daughter Picnic brought together our domestic violence survivors, seniors, and youth in a heartfelt celebration of community, strength, and shared journeys.
The Seniors Program flourished with special programming during Elder Abuse Awareness Month, including art and mental health workshops, plus sessions on recognizing abuse and accessing resources, offered in Bangla and Urdu, alongside regular civics and ESOL classes.
In the fall, we hosted our 17th Annual ARISE NY! Anti-Bullying and Anti-Hate Summit, marking the first in-person summit since the pandemic. We also partnered with a diverse group of public and private schools, including the Queens High School for the Sciences at York College and the Wellspring Schools, to combat bullying by offering empowerment workshops for students.
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we partnered with Uplift NYC at the NYC Muslim Center to host a workshop that engaged the Muslim community in meaningful dialogue about domestic violence. Additionally, we continued to empower our clients through weekly support group meetings and organized a school supplies drive to support them as their children returned to school.
Winter brought us new beginnings and hope. Through our winter clothing drive, we were able to provide 16 families with warm clothing, which was distributed at a festive winter party for our clients. Our youth group was revived through in-person gatherings, creating a safe space for Muslim girls once again.
We welcomed our new Domestic Violence Program Director Tasnim Islam, whose fresh leadership and vision will be key in advancing our mission and programs in the coming year.As we close out 2024, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our volunteers, donors, and supporters. Your unwavering commitment to our mission has helped us overcome challenges and sustain our vital programming. We look forward to your continued support in the coming year as we work together to build a safer community for our women and families.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a new year full of hope and possibilities.
With gratitude,
The TPNY Team
Turning Point for Women + Families
