Written by Malachi Brown \/\/ Graphic by Cooper Turman<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bobbie Boozer, the new executive director of the White County Domestic Violence Prevention Program, began laying new foundations for education and progress last spring. During her time in the position, the program has been rapidly developing its outreach capabilities to include rural domestic violence, as well as child abuse and human trafficking awareness programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to expand awareness about domestic violence and all its related activities throughout the community,\u201d Boozer said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elizabeth Wilson, a retired Harding faculty member, has been working with the program since its conception 27 years ago. Much of the program consists of going to communities and educating them about the signs and realities of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking. The outreach program bolstered by Boozer will begin offering parenting classes April 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do education at schools, churches, really anywhere we can,\u201d Wilson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program has long had affiliations with the University as a potential field placement for Harding\u2019s Social Work program. Their current student intern, senior Dominique Gonzales, discussed her experience working with the program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am most passionate about empowering clients to take back their self-identity and independence \u2026 as well as seeing the joy a client feels when they get their own apartment, a new job or getting their kids into school,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzales views the program as playing a crucial role in the ability of women and their families to rebuild after violent situations. The shelter and outreach program provide safety, comfort and resources to enable families to take steps toward independence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery day, I am thankful that I can be part of such a great place where I can learn and work,\u201d Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside the education programs, the organization has an emergency shelter known as Hope Cottage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program asks those who share its same ideals to help in spreading awareness about its programs, and the causes it supports, and to get out in the community and raise awareness about what it does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe also have a monthly needs list for Hope Cottage that we could always use help getting stuff for them,\u201d Boozer said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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