Tony Zipperer of Zipperer’s Funeral Home has been a longtime supporter of Mary & Martha House. He is receiving his purple ribbon from Denise Reiter, Housing and Employment Coordinator at Mary & Martha House. “Most people don’t know what good work the staff at Mary & Martha House are doing,” said Zipperer. “I’m behind their program all the way.”
‘Cathy’ feared her life was in danger if she stayed. The threats and verbal abuse were growing stronger and more frequent. And yet, she stayed. Then one day the violence turned to her children. That’s when she began her exit strategy that possibly saved her life and redirected her family’s future.
Domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, gender, race, religion or nationality.
‘Cathy’ is fictional. However, she represents thousands of women (and sometimes men) in similar situations across the nation.
October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which has adopted the purple ribbon as its icon.
On the local level, Mary & Martha House in Ruskin has been serving women since 1982. It is the only shelter in South County that offers housing and individualized case management. The facility is counting on the power of purple to bring awareness to surrounding communities through the purple ribbon campaign.
Mary & Martha House has distributed 1,000 ribbons to chambers of commerce throughout Hillsborough County. The ribbons are available to business and community leaders with the hope that the gesture will spread the word that domestic violence is never acceptable, nor is it normal.
There are myriad reasons why a woman stays in an abusive relationship. At some point the abuse will end — most likely because the woman takes the difficult step of leaving, or the abuser takes her life.
“When I’m having the first meeting with a woman who has left her abuser, I always tell her ‘this is Ground Zero.’” said Laurie Herring, Programs and Housing Director at Mary & Martha House Inc. “By coming here she has already done the hard work. The only direction left for her to go is up.”
While most residents in South County are familiar with the program by name, few are aware of the depth of this unique program. Unlike some organizations that will shelter an abused woman for a short time, Mary & Martha House makes an investment in every client.
Each woman is assessed for her individual needs, and those needs are met immediately at absolutely no cost to her.
The long-term goal for every woman who graduates from the program is to have her own permanent housing, steady employment and receive no government assistance.
In the coming weeks, we will focus on Mary & Martha House’s slogan: Shelter. Support. Success. Unpacking each topic and detailing how it is achieved.
Next week’s topic: Shelter.
If you are currently in an abusive relationship, seek help immediately. Call the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119. For information about Mary & Martha House, call 813-641-7027.
