Turning Point officially launched a legacy fund to honor its former executive director and give more people a chance to feel good about giving.The Ellen G. Reed Legacy of 100 Sparkling Lights honors Reed for a lifetime dedicated to helping survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.“We’re asking for 100 donors to be 100 sparkling lights. These donors would commit to giving $100 a year, in one payment or in monthly installments,” said Laura Adams, chairperson for the board of directors.Adams said a monthly installment of less than $10 allows people who want to help give in smaller, more affordable amounts.“To us, every donation makes a difference. This fund shows how 100 people giving $100 a year adds up to a tremendous amount of help,” she said. “By becoming one of our 100 Sparkling Lights, you’re part of a powerful $10,000-a-year campaign that serves families healing from abuse.”Reed served as Turning Point’s executive director from 2012 to 2018. She is credited for empowering women to live free of violence and transforming Turning Point from a grass roots community project into a strong, structured organization that will continue to serve families well into the future.Reed said the fund named in her honor provides a pathway for community engagement and financial support, which are crucial to the sustainability of Turning Point’s services.“Most people support this work in theory but they’re unable to put their skills to work through employment or volunteering,” Reed said. “But most everyone has some capacity to invest something toward keeping these doors open and supporting a high caliber staff that can meet victims’ needs.”Turning Point serves individuals and families in Franklin, Gasconade, Lincoln, Montgomery, Warren and western St. Charles counties. Turning Point’s goal is to help survivors and their children learn to overcome the cycle of abuse. The nonprofit organization provides a 24/7 hot line, emergency shelter, court advocacy, safety planning, economic empowerment and resource education to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and sex trafficking. In 2017 Turning Point provided services to 260 people and answered 527 hot line calls.For help, call the hot line at 888-873-7233. For more information or to donate, call 636-456-1186, visit turningpointdvs.com, or find Turningpointwmo on Facebook.

Ellen Reed