Media Center
PRESS RELEASE:
Contacts:
Connie Brachtenbach, Executive Director
719-785-6806
Connie@tessacs.org
Shawna Kemppainen, Development Director
719-785-6807 / 719-201-5926 Cell
Shawna@tessacs.org
REALIGNMENT OF RESOURCES AT TESSA
Colorado Springs, CO, November 12, 2009—TESSA, the Pikes Peak Region’s domestic violence and sexual assault services center, today announced a realignment of resources. The resulting staffing changes will enable greater community outreach for awareness and education, and internally create more efficient administration of programs for TESSA.
“Victims get safety, respect and support when they come to TESSA because our staff is passionate about creating a brighter future for survivors,” says Connie Brachtenbach, Executive Director. “We have realigned our resources so that passion can promote sustainable, smart, focused growth and improved ability to create a safer community for all families.”
The impact of the realignment of resources includes:
- Five (5) staff positions were eliminated
- Two (2) new staff positions were created
- Several positions were redefined to offer improved client services and better engage the community through outreach
- The employees impacted by job eliminations will receive financial compensation through
the end of 2009
Service and programs to victims were NOT negatively impacted by the changes. The realignment of resources is part of the agency’s long-term strategic plan, and the elimination of positions is not because of financial concerns. In fact, TESSA has experienced growth in the number of people and organizations who contribute to its programs over the past 12 months. “We are in a financially stable position,” says Brachtenbach. “We are grateful for the generosity of the community, because we could not meet the increased demand for our services without their investment in our mission.”
TESSA’s new strategic plan includes:
- Expanding the reach of programs and services for children and youth exposed to family violence
- Increasing the number of men and boys involved with TESSA’s mission
- Decreasing the social acceptance of gender violence by promoting public policy changes through legislative advocacy, community organizing and educational initiatives
- Diversifying funding sources in order to minimize reliance on government funding.
TESSA’s mission is to help women and their children achive safety and well-being while challenging communities to end sexual and family violence.
TESSA—Building a community without domestic and sexual violence.
www.tessacs.org / TESSA Crisis Line 719-633-3819 / Administrative Office 719-633-1462
Address: 435 Gold Pass Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
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BACKGROUND FOR MEDIA REGARDING
CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY
Contacts:
Connie Brachtenbach, Executive Director
719-785-6806
Connie@tessacs.org
Shawna Kemppainen, Development Director
719-785-6807 / 719-201-5926 Cell
Shawna@tessacs.org
TO MEDIA PARTNERS -- This is information is for your background as we have received several media calls today regarding clarity about a KRDO story that aired 10/27/09.
Colorado Springs, CO, October 28, 2009—In light of a story aired on KRDO Oct. 27, 2009, we thought it appropriate to transparently convey more information about TESSA’s fundraising practices and confidentiality, particularly with regard to donor mailings and victim/client confidentiality.
Client Confidentiality:
TESSA neither utilizes confidential client contact information nor provides identifying client information within its mailings, including fundraising solicitations, emails, newsletters, etc. Any client “stories” provided in TESSA mailings to help people understand the impact of our work are purposefully written and noted as “name changed” to protect victim identity and to be transparent to our supporters.
TESSA is first and foremost committed to client confidentiality. It is not only imperative to the safety of the victims we serve, but we are legally bound by Colorado Statute to keep client information confidential. We do not – cannot – confirm to any outside organization or individual (including law enforcement OR the media) whether someone has sought or received assistance through our programs. Note that if a client requests that TESSA provides information to someone and that client has signed a waiver of confidentiality, we can legally make an exception. This is only done for reasons such as court proceedings or other legal matters in which the client is engaged and the client requests that we assist.
Note that if a former or current TESSA client makes a financial contribution to TESSA and they do not opt out of receiving future mail, they may be included in fundraising and other communications. TESSA may also conduct outreach mailings to solicit new donors in order to build financial support for our mission. Because 1 in 6 households experiences domestic violence in the United States, an outreach mailing list for prospective new donors might by coincidence contain the name of a victim or even former client, but TESSA does not purposely or knowingly solicit its clients for fundraising. Of course if a former client receives a fundraising request by coincidence and becomes upset, we regret any distress that may cause. It is noteworthy that quite often donors self-identify as giving to TESSA because they or someone they know has been affected by domestic violence or sexual assault and they want to support our programs.
Donor Confidentiality:
All donor information at TESSA is confidential, and we do NOT sell or share donor information to or with other organizations. TESSA’s fundraising department follows the ethical and effective practices advanced by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). With respect to the mailing solicitation portion of TESSA’s fundraising program, in 2009 we sent/will send five different solicitations, including an October direct mail appeal to a) current donors; AND b) to approx. 27,000 prospective donors whose names and contact information were procured from a third-party marketing firm via public information from other mailing lists.
TESSA adheres to the AFP Donor Bill of Rights, which reads:
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
We welcome any inquiries regarding TESSA’s fundraising and communications practices. Please contact Executive Director Connie Brachtenbach (Connie@tessacs.org) or Development Director Shawna Kemppainen (Shawna@tessacs.org) for more information.
TESSA’s mission is to help women and their children achive safety and well-being while challenging communities to end sexual and family violence.
TESSA—Building a community without domestic and sexual violence.
www.tessacs.org / TESSA Crisis Line 719-633-3819 / Administrative Office 719-633-1462
Address: 435 Gold Pass Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Connie Brachtenbach, Executive Director
Phone: 719-785-6806 / 719-648-3654 cell
Connie@tessacs.org / www.tessacs.org
Shawna Kemppainen, Development Director
Phone: 719-785-6807 / 719-201-5926 cell
Shawna@tessacs.orgs / www.tessacs.org
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Local Advocates Win
Statewide Award, More Victims Reporting Abuse
Colorado Springs, CO, October 2, 2009 —October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and two TESSA victims’ advocates were just named Community Impact Award winners by the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cheryl Stueve, TESSA’s Children’s Outreach Coordinator, teaches about healthy relationships during teen-dating violence intervention programs in local schools. Nancy Duke, Manager of the DVERT program which is a collaborative community effort to address the most lethal cases of domestic violence, shared the award with Stueve for her work with victims. The Community Impact Award will be presented to Nancy and Cheryl at the Domestic Violence Awareness Rally at the State Capitol building on Oct 6 between Noon – 1:30.
“Nancy and Cheryl exemplify the compassionate, strong advocacy we provide to victims of domestic violence,” said Connie Brachtenbach, TESSA executive director. “We are very proud of their work, and with one in three teen girls reporting that they are being sexually, physically or emotionally abused by their dates – family violence is something we need to take from behind closed doors in our community.”
TESSA has experience a 20% increase in the number of victims seeking assistance so far this year compared with last year, and over a 30% increase in the number of calls to its Crisis Line and information referral services. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month we ask the community to stand with survivors to help raise awareness and prevent family, teen-dating and sexual violence:
SPECIAL OCTOBER 9TH Events
7:30 a.m. TO 9:30 a.m. – TOWN HALL at Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave
Join TESSA as the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence facilitates a panel of local and state elected leaders addressing the impact of domestic violence in our communities. Guest panelists include CSPD Police Chief Richard Myers, City Councilwoman Jan Martin, State Senator John Morse, plus others.
9:45 Silent Witness Walk, Starts at Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade to Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon Walk in silence in honor of victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Silent Witness Vigil – Pioneers Museum 215 S. Tejon St.
We gather to honor the victims who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence and to recognize those who continue in their struggle. Support survivors during a brief presentation at Noon and visit the stories of silent witness silhouettes that will be on the Pioneers Museum lawn.
Other October Events in Honor of Victims
Oct. 8th – Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Victims and the Criminal Justice System
Noon to 1 p.m. at Partners In Housing, 455 Gold Pass Hts. / Myron Stratton campus (2525 S. Nevada) Join TESSA staff and attorney Sarah Christensen in an educational session for victims and others interested in understanding domestic violence and criminal charges. Bring your own lunch.
Oct. 18th – Walk the Night in Calhan
5 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 574 Eighth Street, Calhan
Walk the Night includes a short walk/vigil, brief program, children’s activities and a free chili supper.
Oct. 21st – “Tough Guise” in Cripple Creek
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Aspen Mine Center, 166 E. Bennett Avenue
Join the Teller County Open House for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Feature film “Tough Guise” by Jackson Katz spotlights the need for men and boys to become allies to end violence in the home.
Please RSVP to 719-243-4833 by Oct 14 to order a free lunch for the film.
Oct. 23rd – Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Divorce, Custody and Child Support
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Partners In Housing, 455 Gold Pass Hts. / Myron Stratton campus
Join TESSA staff and attorney Julie Wolfe in a discussion about domestic violence cases and child custody. Bring your own lunch.
Throughout October Shop Beauty Brands and Empower Survivors
Beauty Brands, 7214 N. Academy Blvd.
Throughout the month of October purchase specially tagged products and proceeds given to TESSA.
For more information, contact Staci at 785-6808 or Shawna at 785-6807.
TESSA’s mission is to help women and their children achive safety and well-being while challenging communities to end sexual and family violence. In 2007 we responded to more than 15,000 victims of domestic violence and sexual assault – most of them women and children – by providing immediate safety from harm, conducting programs that provide hope for a safer future, and doing community outreach and prevention/education trainings. Domestic violence occurs in one in six U.S. households, and one in five teenagers is experiencing physical, sexual or emotional violence during dating. TESSA can help.
Please join us in creating community awareness by contacting Shawna Kemppainen at shawna@tessacs.org or direct phone 719-785-6807.
TESSA—Creating a community without domestic violence and sexual assault.
www.tessacs.org / TESSA Crisis Line 719-633-3819 / Administrative Office 719-633-1462
Address: 435 Gold Pass Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
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Please contact Shawna Kemppainen, Development Director, for all of your media related questions at 719-785-6807 or shawna@tessacs.org.
