TESSA - [ About TESSA ]

In 1975, TESSA (formerly known as The Center for Prevention of Domestic Violence) was conceptualized in response to community volunteers' alarm at the frequency of calls from women threatened or assaulted by their intimate partners. At the time, domestic violence was considered a private matter and few resources were available to help victims. Research conducted through the Colorado Springs Police Department documented a high incidence of spousal assault in the community. As a result, in May 1977, with help from the District Attorney and El Pomar Foundation, our agency was established as a referral service. This initial effort to provide information to victims of abuse has grown into an award-winning agency dedicated to the intervention in and prevention of family violence.

Since 1977, TESSA has received numerous awards:

• In 1995, TESSA received The Women's Foundation of Colorado Award for Excellence.
• In 1996, the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team was awarded the National League of Cities' Excellence in Community Policing Award in the Policing and Violence Against Women category.
• In 1998 and again in 1999, TESSA received recognition as an El Pomar Award for Excellence Finalist and in the summer of 1999 was awarded the Community of Kindness Non-Profit Business Award from The Kindness Campaign.
• In 2000 and 2001, The Colorado Springs Independent named TESSA "Best Colorado Springs Nonprofit Organization" in the Gold and Silver Award categories, respectively.
• In addition, TESSA is part of a community consortium selected to be a national demonstration site for innovative approaches to dealing with the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment (The Greenbook Grant). Our community was one of six sites chosen from over 100 applicants, in large part because of our history of innovative programming based on community collaboration.
• In November of 2002, The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance named TESSA "Outstanding Victim Services Program" in Colorado.
• Fort Carson awarded TESSA a certificate of appreciation for our service to military families.
• TESSA won the Henry McAllister Award for Special Projects.
• The El Pomar Foundation Award for Excellence was presented to TESSA in December 2003.
• In the Spring of 2004, TESSA was honored with The City of Colorado Springs/Community Development Block Grant’s Excellence in Human Services Award.

TESSA's Board is responsible for making decisions in a manner consistent with that of a prudent person.  This means Board members act in a reasonable way, like that of any "ordinary" person.  TESSA's Board acts in good faith and in the best interests of the organization.  They ensure the organization operates within legal parameters, and TESSA's own rules, regulations, mission and bylaws. 

T·E·S·S·A strives to embrace cultural differences in all aspects of our work.  A culturally inclusive organization acknowledges and incorporates the principles of:

• Reflecting the diversity of the community served in the staff, volunteers and interns
• Valuing cultural differences through policies, practices, and community image
• Prevention, identification and removal of discriminatory barriers in TESSA's recruitment, hiring, training, retention, career development, promotion, benefits, and pay policies and practices
• Providing accessible and relevant services to all
• Delivering programs and services in a way that reflects the culture and traditions of the people served
• Self-reflection on our individual and institutional biases with a commitment to addressing them
• Conscious efforts to identify, address, and eliminate all forms of oppression

In a culturally inclusive organization, attitudes, knowledge and practices are congruent with the principles outlined above.

Source: Taken, in part, from the Government of British Columbia Ministry for Children and Families

TESSA is funded through individual donors, private foundation grants, government grants, corporate support, program service fees, special events and workplace giving campaigns. 

Are you interested in helping out?  We accept financial donations, in-kind donations and welcome individuals and groups to volunteer with us. 

For more information about TESSA's finaces, please visit www.Guidestar.org, where you can find our IRS Form 990.  Please type T E S S A into the search box (all capital letters, with a space between each) to locate our GuideStar listing.

At this time, our audited sources of revenue for the 2001 fiscal year are available on-line.  We anticipate adding other years soon; If you have questions, please contact us!

For Staff, Volunteers and Interns:
TESSA strongly believes and advocates the philosophy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants for employment, as well as for current employees.  TESSA hires, trains, promotes, and compensates employees on the basis of personal competence and potential for advancement, without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, martial status, veteran status, disability, citizenship, or political beliefs, as well as other classifications protected by applicable state or local laws. 

TESSA's equal employment opportunity philosophy applies to all aspects of employment including recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits, pay, dismissal and social and recreational activities.

For Clients:
In compliance with Title VI of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, it is the policy of TESSA to provide services to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap, marital status, or age.  No distinction is made among any persons in eligibility for the receipt of services provided by, or through the auspices of this facility.

For Referring Agencies and/or Individuals:
All persons and organizations having occasions either to refer persons or to recommend this agency are advised to do so without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental handicap, marital status, or age. 

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