Beth Sturman, Executive Director of Laurel House, returns for a final interview before her retirement from the comprehensive domestic violence agency. She discussed its mission, to serve individuals, families, and communities throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. We talked about the changes she’s seen over the course of her leadership, from the term ‘Battered women’ to opening their shelters to men who are victims of domestic abuse and their children. She talked about their growth, today they offer emergency shelter, a 24-hour hotline, a textline, transitional housing, a children’s program, individual and group counseling, medical advocacy, legal representation and advocacy, crisis response, law enforcement collaboration, as well as community education and prevention programming. They offer resources on stalking, strangulation, teen dating, LGBTQ issues and domestic violence in the workplace. We talked about who is a victim, anybody, and the forms abuse can take, including social control, financial control and emotional cruelty and the difficulty many face in getting out of an abusive relationship because of children and financial need.
She discussed their fundraisers, including Laurel’s Loft and Marian’s Attic fashion thrift stores, their annual Gala, their walk and their new student art competition. She also called for volunteers to help with events and with staffing their help lines. Laurel House is also looking for holiday donations for the families they serve, including food, personal items and gifts.
To learn more about Laurel House and its resources go to laurel-house.org, call 1‑800‑642‑3150 OR Text “HOPE” to 85511