2020 has become a year of tests. We are all being challenged and tested in our everyday lives—as individuals, as workers, as communities, as institutions. This is an extraordinary time, with a global public health crisis, economic repercussions, and a racial justice reckoning, among so many other upheavals and uncertainties. There are opportunities to examine what really works and for whom, and what doesn’t work and why. Energy abounds in examining health systems, economic inequities, public safety, the criminal justice system, our public and private institutions and government itself. There seems to be energy and a desire to reimagine our world.

We are now in month six of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with POV still immersed in working and serving remotely. We wanted to let you know how we have engaged in dreaming up a new reality, first by reimagining our work during this extraordinary time. We have been focused on keeping the health and well-being of our staff and volunteers as our highest priority, while at the same time meeting the learning curve of working remotely. So far, we have been able to keep everyone safe and working—and we have been busy! We are so appreciative of our staff, volunteers, board of directors, funders and partners for showing up and doing their best throughout this challenging time.

How are we reimagining at POV?

Through our 24-hour emergency services and legal services for sexual assault survivors. We continue to support sexual assault survivors through the 24/7 LA Rape and Battering hotline and Sexual Abuse Response Teams (SART) offering virtual and telephonic support and case management. We continue to work closely with community partners, colleges and universities like Caltech, Cal State LA, Occidental College and others to advocate and empower survivors. We have transitioned to virtual legal services, providing support through every step of the process, from document preparation and filing to courtroom advocacy and representation.

By prioritizing the safety of domestic violence survivors, regardless of whether or not they are able to leave an abusive relationship. While everyone was remanded to their homes, we knew that this critical public health directive would be problematic for many families. We immediately broadcasted alerts that home is not safe for everyone, and we pivoted to provide alternative safety planning for survivors. We were invited by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office to participate in Project Safe Haven, a brand-new emergency service that provides temporary safe housing units to survivors experiencing domestic violence, and we secured safe places for more than 100 individuals and families.

Jules, Federico, Ariana, Wendy, Julia, Eloina and Tylana, Clinical Department

With robust clinical services. We quickly transitioned to 100% virtual counseling support, facilitating online one-on-one counseling sessions and support groups. We are currently running more than 20 support groups online, including a Still I Rise support group for Black women, a deaf support group, and monolingual Spanish speaking groups. We are reaching more survivors than ever before. Of course, not everyone is digitally connected, and the pandemic has exposed yet another deficit in the digital divide. For those clients, we offer confidential one-on-one services over the phone.

By refocusing Denim Day. We successfully produced our annual sexual violence prevention education campaign, complete with a survivor-focused virtual rally in partnership with Denim Day NYC, bringing together hundreds of individuals from across the world.

Joslyn and youth from the 10th Annual YOV Leadership Institute’s Cohort

With a revamped Youth Over Violence Summer Leadership Institute, now in its 10th year. This year, the Institute was fully implemented in a virtual format, allowing us to increase the number and geographic regions of participants. We had youth from all over Los Angeles and beyond, including participants from Tennessee, Kentucky, and even Costa Rica, reaching youth who have no access to local violence prevention training! Our curriculum covers the roots of violence, media literacy and advocacy, unhealthy relationships, dating and sexual violence, and this year included an opportunity to reimagine policing and public safety, an issue of serious concern to youth. Fifty students will graduate and continue their violence prevention activities for the rest of the school year and stay connected with each other and POV staff. This experience has inspired us to contemplate launching a national Youth Over Violence Institute.

POV's new brave space under construction

By building a brave space! We have been in the planning and build-out process of moving our downtown METRO headquarters to a larger space to accommodate our growth and expand our services. Our new space will increase our capacity for services by nearly 60% and establish the new state-of-the-art Children, Youth, and Family Center. We anticipate moving in the next few months and we are designing our programs for in-person and online formats, creating a hybrid model of service provision. We invite all of you to support us on this journey; be on the lookout for Building A Brave Space: The Campaign for Peace Over Violence materials.

This moment has burst forth with unprecedented energy to dismantle institutional racism. POV has worked at the intersection of gender and race for decades, and we are not stopping now. As a movement organization, we want to join with others and connect, go deeper, and continue to learn and transform. We want to lend our hearts and open our minds to new opportunities. We want to use our voice to dream up and reimagine a society that is just, loving and compassionate, where everyone is lifted up and no one is left out or left behind—where every person can live in, contribute to, and benefit from a talented and tolerant society. A society of compassion, interdependence, love and justice. A beloved community.

This pandemic has exposed the failure of our systems and amplified suffering in such a way that it is impossible to continue to turn away or ignore. We’re crossing through a gateway from one world to the next. Dare we dream to walk through to a period of enlightenment? Can we pledge to imagine this new world, fight for it, and build it together? We hope that each of us can find a brave space within to see it through.

In community,

Vincent Gomis Chief Financial Officer — **Vincent Gomis**
*Chief Financial Officer*

Reimagining at POV

How are we reimagining at POV?