Program Resource Blog Post
At Waypoint, we believe that housing and homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and access to quality child care are issues that must be addressed with dedication and support from the community at-large. Kofi Anna, a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, said “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” You may be asking yourself: “What can I do to address these issues? I’m not equipped to make a difference.” But that is where you are wrong. As the quote stated, “Knowledge is power.” You can do your part by:
- Educating yourself on issues impacting our community
- Encouraging others to do their research and spread the word about the work organizations are doing to address social problems
- Advocate for your community and those being impacted by issues like homelessness, domestic violence, and poverty
Like many people, you may be wondering where to get started. Below are a list of credible resources with information on Waypoint’s main service areas: housing and homelessness, domestic violence, child care, and survivors of violent crime.
Domestic Violence
According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), domestic violence is “a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that can include physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or financial abuse” and more than 1 in 3 women will experience some form of physical violence, rape, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. This startling statistic means someone you know has likely experienced domestic violence. If you are interested in learning more about domestic violence or ways to get involved, check out the resources below:
Websites
Books for Adults
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Controlling Partners by Ann Jones and Susan Schechter
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The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond by Patricia Evans
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Mejor Sola Que Mal Acompañada: For the Latina in an Abusive Relationship by Myrna M. Zambrano
Books for Children
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A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes & Sasha J. Mudiaff
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El enojo está bien, la violencia no (Anger is Okay, Violence is Not) by Julie K. Frederico
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Lizzy Lives in an Angry House by Karen Addison MSPH
Documentaries/TV Shows/Videos
- Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave on TED Talks
- Power and Control: Domestic Violence in American on Amazon
- Domestic Abuse: Behind Closed Doors on YouTube
Housing & Homelessness
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, it is estimated that more than 550,000 people experience homelessness on any given night. Homelessness and housing instability can be caused by a number of factors, including: lack of affordable housing, lack of living wages, unaddressed physical and mental health issues, domestic violence, and more. To learn more about the causes of homelessness and what you can do to make a difference, check out the resources below:
Websites
Books for Adults
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The Book on Ending Homelessness by Iain de Jong
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Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
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Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives by Deborah K. Padgett, Benjamin F. Henwood, and Sam J. Tsemberis
Books for Children
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Yard Sale by Eve Bunting
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Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
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I Am a Bear by Jean-François Dumont
Documentaries/TV Shows/Videos
- Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness on Amazon
- The Housing First Approach to Homelessness on TED Talks
- The Year I Was Homeless on TED Talks
Child Care
Early childhood education plays a critical role in a child’s development that can set the stage for development and success later on in life. The first three resources focus on the science behind early childhood education and the important role it can play in a child’s life. The next five resources focus on the lack of affordable, quality child care in the community we call home. Check out the resources below to learn more about the role child care plays in a child’s life and the work that is being done to ensure every child has access to the skills they need to thrive:
- Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Early Childhood Iowa
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The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel
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Anti-Bias Education in the Early Childhood Classroom: Hand in Hand, Step by Step by Katie Kissinger
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The Early Years Matter: Education, Care, and Well-Being of Children, Birth to 8 by Marilou Hyson and Heather Biggar
Books for Children
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The Gift That I Can Give by Kathie Lee Gifford
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It’s Ok to be Different: A Children’s Picture Book about Diversity and Kindness by Sharon Purtill
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The Very Important Preschool by Jennifer Dewing
Documentaries/TV Shows/Videos
- The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of our Nation from PBS
- Brain Matters on YouTube
- How Childhood Trauma Affects Health across a Lifetime on TED Talks
Violent Crime/Homicide
According to the National Institute of Justice (NIF), “in a violent crime, a victim is harmed or threatened with violence. Violent crimes include rape and sexual assault, robbery, assault, and murder.” The Iowa Attorney General’s Office established the Crime Victim Assistance Division (CVAD) in 1989 to provide resources and support to victims of violent crime. They also advocate for the rights and needs of victims, survivors, and their families to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect. In 2016, the state of Iowa reported almost 291 violent crimes her 100,000 people. In August of 2020, Waypoint took over the Survivors’ Program, which was formerly managed by Horizons. Waypoint’s Survivors’ Program serves 14 counties in Iowa to provide a variety of free services to victims of violent felony crimes, such as kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder, as well as those who have lost a friend or family member to homicide or vehicular homicide. To learn more about violent crime in Iowa and the resources available to victims, check out the resources below:
Websites
Books for Adults
- What to Do When the Police Leave by Bill Jenkins
- No Time for Goodbyes by Janice Harris Lord
- Coping with Traumatic Death: Homicide by Bob Baugher & Lew Cox
- When Men Grieve (Why Men Grieve Differently and How You Can Help) by Elizabeth Levang, PhD
Books for Children
- Tear Soup (A Recipe for Healing After Loss) by Pat Schweibert & Chuck DeKlyen
- When Something Terrible Happens (Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief) by Marge Heegaard
- A Bunch of Balloons by Dorothy Ferguson
- My Grieving Journey Book by Donna & Eve Shavatt
Documentaries/TV Shows/Videos
- Surviving Sandy Hook from True Vision
- Victim Impact: Listen & Learn – Amy’s Story on YouTube
- Victim Impact: Listen & Learn – Myrtle’s Story on YouTube
- Victim Impact: Listen & Learn – Jim’s Story on YouTube
Previous
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Every year during the month of February, victim service providers and community advocates work together to spread awareness for teen dating violence. According to loveisrespect.org, 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from an intimate partner before they become adults. When college age students are examined, “nearly half (43%) of those who identify as college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors.”
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Waypoint Board Member Spotlight
Join us in celebrating the the Waypoint board members for this fiscal year!