Our mission remains our constant: A Message from the Executive Director/CEO
The election of Donald Trump is having a huge emotional impact across the country. Half the country is celebrating and the other half is in shock. The threats that were expressed throughout the campaign are now hanging over all of us and may actually come to fruition.
We remember what the previous Trump administration did to survivors and organizations like ours. Federal funding was slashed and more obstacles to receiving and providing services were put in place. They limited the reach and the impact of the OVW - Office of Violence Against Women - curtailing services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and in particular the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and Native and Indigenous people, among other marginalized groups. The reauthorization of VAWA - Violence Against Women Act - was delayed. The list goes on.
This electoral result will directly impact our work in the coming years.
What’s important right now as the political landscape evolves is for us to remind ourselves of our commitments and that we support each other and take good care of ourselves and our families. Our community of survivors will need us more than ever. We are resilient and we are committed to our mission. Our mission remains our constant: we are building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal relationships.
I would like to share what Ramiro Gomez, POV’s Violence Prevention Specialist, said to me that gave me solace. He said, “The journey may take many paths but the vision and mission of POV remains the same.” Thank you Ramiro for that.
And I would like to add a quote by Maya Angelou who said “Hope and Fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.”
In solidarity,
