This very special episode is a celebration of the incredible work that is being done at the state level to alleviate barriers for LGBTQ+ and BiPOC survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.  For the first time in history, through the efforts of the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence and a cohort of concerned advocates across the state, the formation and newly appointed 501c3 status of Shoulder to Shoulder solidified a program that is designed to work toward a more inclusive, safer state for survivors.  

Join us as we sit down and have a conversation with Kenyatta Grant and Sara Fincham, our brand new co-directors, to get an inside look at how it all began--and most importantly, where we are going from here!  

Join us for this unique episode of Root for Each Other that amplifies the voices of some of the incredible women that have inspired, educated, and led us as we navigate the difficult work of advocacy.  

Join us for this incredible benchmark in Root For Each Other history,  our first ever live recording, from the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence Shelter's 2024 Advocate Retreat  This special episode takes the opportunity to check in with three advocates across the state, Katie Spriggs, Executive Director of the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center,  Ashley Carpenter, Executive Director of Sexual Assault Help Center, Inc and Sara Blevins O'Toole, Director of Development, Branches Domestic Violence Shelter on the way that advocacy movement has changed and been shaped over time. 

Domestic Violence prevention can sometimes seem like a far-fetched concept, no matter how much we dream of a world without violence. How do we eradicate a crime that is often unacknowledged, generational, and perpetrated behind closed doors? The answer is to be very creative and exceptionally smart, so we contacted one of the most brilliant and innovative advocates we know, Jessica Bender, of the WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence, to talk about the future of DV prevention in West Virginia.

Join us as we discuss the challenges and reward of prevention work and learn more about the Coalition's new project NVR in WV. For more info on the project, you can reach Jessica at [email protected]. 

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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This month's episode of Root for Each Other checks in with our friend Brandy, from @dancefitnesswithsandb, who has consistently partnered with her friends and community for the last 7 years to combine her passion for Zumba and her compassion for survivors of domestic violence!  Don't wait to learn more!  Check out the latest episode of Root for Each Other: A Branches Podcast wherever you stream your podcasts.

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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Legislative session is in full swing here in the Mountain State, and we are honored this month to bring you the story of Celena Roby Henry in celebration of her story of survival and the positive change she made for survivors in West Virginia. Public policy can often be confusing or even disheartening, and it can be daunting for both survivors and advocates to try and communicate needs to lawmakers. Join us as we talk to Celena about her journey of empowerment and what she sees as emerging needs for people experiencing domestic violence in our communities.

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and, while we've talked about the evolution of this kind of victimization before, we had yet to delve into the specifics of how advocacy programs serve survivors of trafficking. Join us as we chat with friend and colleague, Katie Spriggs Brown, Executive Director of sister program, Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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Domestic Violence services are not often thought of in the realm of "homeless service providers," but it's actually one of the most important things we do, given fleeing abuse is federally-recognized as a leading cause for people to experience homelessness.

In this episode, we're highlighting our place within the local homeless service collaborative, The Cabell-Wayne Continuum of Care, as we speak with Brittany Ochoa, the Executive Director of Harmony House and the C-W CoC. Join us as we talk barriers to services, the Housing First model, and how our work together strengthens the community.

For more information on the Cabell-Wayne CoC, check out the website and follow the Continuum on Facebook!

To reach Brittany, you can call (304)523-2764, ext. 101, or email her at [email protected]

You can learn more about the Housing First model in our previous episode, "Safe Housing for Survivors."

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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It's officially spooky season! Here at Branches, we're united in our love for Halloween but somewhat divided on how spooky culture makes us feel. For some, it's a wondrous, magical time of our favorite decorations and nostalgic movies, while, for others, it can be just one more way the world seems scary. What do you think?

Join us for a conversation about how to prioritize self-care during spooky season, whether that's diving head first into the holiday or changing up your emotional safety plan for yourself and the survivors in your life. Available wherever you stream your podcasts or at branchesdvs.org/podcasts.

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties in West Virginia.

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On a new episode of Root for Each Other, our advocates Sara and Emily are discussing the recent sentencing of convicted rapist, Danny Masterson, and the implications of both character reference letters of support submitted by famous friends of the actor and the powerful Victim Impact Statement read by his former partner at sentencing. As always, this is a difficult topic, so please take care of yourself as you listen and know that you can reach us for support 24/7 at 304.529.2382 and our local partner sexual assault agency, CONTACT Rape Crisis Center at 866.399.7273.

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter has been providing services to. victims of domestic violence in the Appalachian communities of Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Lincoln, and Putnam counties in West Virginia.

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