For Immediate Release
April 15, 2008

Ferguson Enterprises donates more than 400 suits to domestic violence shelter

April 15, 2008 – A group from Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. in Newport News donated more than 400 suits, shoes and other professional accessories to Transitions Family Violence Services.  The clothing drive was sponsored by Ferguson’s Women’s Resource Connection (WRC) and more than 60 Ferguson associates made donations.  The donated clothing has been made available to Transitions’ clients who need professional clothing to start or supplement their workplace wardrobes.

“We have recently formed the WRC at Ferguson, and in keeping with Ferguson’s corporate philosophy, we really want to make a difference in our community,” said Debra Deihl, director of Ferguson’s Shared Financial Services.  ‘We felt that through our donations, we could reach out and touch the women that are trying to regain their footing and seek employment.”

The WRC is a network of women professionals employed by Ferguson and its parent company Wolseley.  In identifying charitable opportunities, the WRC is committed to supporting organizations that benefit women. 

“Given the valuable services provided by Transitions to women and children who are the victims of domestic violence, the decision to support Transitions was easy,” said Sandra Pierce, Ferguson’s Manager of Employment Practices.  “And, the decision to conduct a clothing drive to provide workplace clothing to the clients of Transitions was a perfect alignment with the purpose of the WRC.  We are very proud of the generosity once again exhibited by Ferguson associates through their donations.  We are also very proud of the women who are utilizing Transitions’ services to improve their personal life circumstances.” 

About Transitions Family Violence Services

Transitions Family Violence Services is the sole provider of comprehensive family violence services in Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, and a co-provider of services for York County.

Transitions Family Violence Services is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization formed in 1977. It is funded by the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, grants from many sources and community contributions. Clients receive all services at no charge, although transitional housing clients pay rent according to their income.

The mission of Transitions Family Violence Services is to build safe and healthy families on the Virginia Peninsula. The agency assists adult and child victims through the provision of shelter, counseling and advocacy services. We work to increase awareness of domestic violence and provide opportunities for community members to participate in our mission.

Since 1980, 16,000 clients have been sheltered for 160,000 nights of shelter, yet, to our knowledge, no victim ever sheltered has subsequently been murdered by the abuser. This program literally saves lives.

Transitions implements outreach, emergency, short-term, transitional shelter, and specialized services, providing 90 emergency, short term, and transitional beds and a client service center. A 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, trained volunteers, and experienced staff enable clients to assess their situations and formulate action plans. Case management, self-sufficiency, outreach for older battered women and child witnesses of violence, internships and community education are priorities. Children’s programs include childcare, art/play therapy, after-school tutoring, and conflict resolution. Clients reside 30 days to 2 years before moving to permanent housing, where more than two-thirds have remained in permanent housing since 1991. Clients with substance abuse and employment issues are assisted and given referrals and resources to seek treatment and find employment.

In FY07, Transitions served 263 sheltered and 2,849 outreach clients. Transitions is a quality organization with a 30-year history of upholding best practices standards, as acknowledged by Fannie Mae, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence, the Governor of Virginia, and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance (VSDVAA). During the past two years, 100% of Transitions’ NEXT STEP clients remain in permanent housing. Transitions is credited by the Newport News Chief of Police for having, with his department, reduced domestic violence homicides in Newport News by 60% since 1984.

Other agencies may house women who have had domestic and family violence in their histories, but Transitions offers a full range of services that are designed to help them not only with their shelter needs, but to build violence-free, self-sufficient lives.

Transitions Family Violence Services
P.O. Box 561
Hampton, VA 23669
http://www.transitionsfvs.org           

CONTACT: Julia Campbell, Director of Development & Community Relations
Phone: (757) 728-0025
Fax: (757) 728-1538
Voice: (757) 687-7036
24-hour Hotline: (757) 723-7774
E-mail: jcampbell@transitionsfvs.org                
Website: http://www.transitionsfvs.org

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