Maleah Funderburk
Wingate Triangle Editor
Just 15 minutes from campus lies Turning Point, Union County’s only domestic violence shelter, offering a variety of resources for survivors of intimate partner violence. Known for providing emergency housing to individuals in immediate danger, Turning Point also offers legal aid, counseling, and access to sexual assault kits—all free of charge.
Established in 1985, Turning Point began as a crisis line for local residents experiencing domestic violence. In 1998, the organization moved into a small, two-bedroom shelter to begin offering emergency housing. Quickly overwhelmed by demand, they sought a larger, safer space, to grow with the need for their services. By 2001, Turning Point had secured a 42-bedroom shelter on an 11,000-acre property.
The organization’s vision is a community where everyone lives free from violent relationships. In 2023, Turning Point assisted 1,372 individuals experiencing domestic violence, 241 survivors of sexual assault, and 548 children in abusive situations. Often beginning in young adulthood, the organization’s services have a crucial role to play for college students experiencing abuse.
“If you look at the stats, there’s so much dating violence and sexual assault that happens on campuses,” says Jessie Lindberg, Turning Point’s executive director. “Us being present on campuses… it makes people talk about it.”
Statistics show that one in three college women in the U.S. is affected by dating violence, and 43% report experiencing abusive behaviors from a partner. Many students may not know where to turn when they experience abuse. According to Lindberg, normalizing conversations around these issues is essential to dismantling the stigma that often keeps survivors silent.
“There are so many social norms that contribute to people just turning a blind eye,” Lindberg says. “That’s why it’s important for us to get out in front of people.”
With a staff of around 12 full-time employees, Turning Point has made a substantial impact through its seven-year partnership with Wingate University, offering Lyceums focused on domestic abuse awareness, volunteering during the university’s annual One Day, One Dog event, and providing internships for students.
Students interested in getting involved can attend Turning Point’s monthly volunteer orientation sessions, where they can learn about a variety of roles like child care, cooking meals, cleaning, and upkeep of Second Chance Boutique—a high-end thrift store that is a main source of income for the organization, directly supporting survivors and operational costs. Lindberg says they receive around sixty-five cars full of donations a day. Volunteering offers students a way to contribute and learn more about the realities of abuse.
Lindberg emphasizes that these resources are here for students and encourages them not only to reach out if they need help, but also to be aware of what’s available for friends who may be in abusive situations. “You can look in any one of your classrooms and know someone has been affected by [dating violence],” she says.
Turning Point’s longstanding partnership with Wingate University represents more than just a community service opportunity—they’re a lifeline for students. In a college environment where students may struggle to balance academic pressures, personal relationships, and social expectations, Turning Point stands as a reminder that help is close and no one has to navigate these challenges alone.
“There are so many social norms that contribute to people just turning a blind eye,” Lindberg says. “That’s why it’s important for us to get out in front of people… You’ve got to speak out about this stuff and not keep quiet.”
Learn about Turning Point’s volunteer opportunities here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available:
- Domestic Violence Hotline: (800)-799-7233
- Campus Safety: (704)-233-8999
- Turning Point: Union County’s only organization that provides emergency and lifesaving resources for survivors of domestic violence.
- Domestic Violence: (704)-282-7233
- Sexual Assault: (704)-283-7770
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