Page 6 - What Women Want Three Rivers May 2015

6SS • What Women Want • An Advertising Supplement to the Three Rivers Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Sunday, May 3, 2015
PHOTOS BY EILISH PALMER/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
As executive director of Safe Passage Inc. in Melbourne, Lora Umphries-Buck works to make sure the community is aware that there is an organization that can help anyone faced with a domestic-abuse situation. The organization offers a 24-hour hotline, as well as services for victims such as advocating for them in court and helping them find homes where they will be safe from their abusers.
Safely on the other side Melbourne woman shares story of becoming advocate for domestic-violence awareness
BY WENDY MILLER SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Lots of little girls dream of growing up and marrying their Prince Charming and riding off into the sunset — a picture painted by many timeless fairy tales. Every now and then, the person who seemed like a knight in shining armor turns out to
those fearful of their abusers; addressing concerns of anyone who stops in or calls; assisting with depos- its, utility bills and references for past and current clients to get them on their feet; advocating for clients in court; writing grants for federal funding; and providing counseling.
“My main thing here is to get the girls to come in and to spread the word that there is somebody in their community who can help them,” she said. “The biggest thing out there is getting people to know that we are here and educating them about what domestic violence is and what the circle of violence is.”
Umphries-Buck’s dedication to spreading awareness of domestic violence and the organiza- tion goes deeper than it appears on the surface. Umphries-Buck has experienced an abusive rela- tionship firsthand.
She grimaced as she recalled feeling trapped for months, but when the relationship got to the point where Umphries-Buck felt she had to leave, Safe Passage was there to help. During her time as a client at the shelter, she got to know several women — volunteers, professionals and other clients — who helped to build her confidence and persuaded her that it was possible to have a positive outcome from a negative situation.
Umphries-Buck was soon able to resume a normal
be the opposite.
Although not a common dinner-table discussion topic, instances do happen that fall under the broad terms of domestic violence or domestic abuse. Lora Umphries-Buck, executive director of Safe Passage Inc. in Melbourne said, there is no specific defini- tion for domestic violence because it can involve many types of abuse. Instead, she said, she prefers her personal definition.
“[Domestic violence] is just being hurt — men- tally, physically or emotionally — in your own home when you don’t have to be,” she said. “I don’t think any individual deserves the right to do anything to you in a manner that would be harmful. To me, that is domestic violence, because hurt is hurt, whether it is [physical] or even the simplest thing.”
That message is what Umphries-Buck works to deliver to domestic-violence victims who take refuge and seek counseling at Safe Passage, a faith-based organization that operates a shelter, as well as a thrift store to help fund the shelter.
The shelter, which is in an undisclosed location, has room for about 15 people — women, children and even men who are in a situation of domestic abuse. The organization serves Izard and Fulton counties. In Izard County alone last year, 210 people sought help in some way through Safe Passage, she said.
Umphries-Buck has been the executive director for two years, but she has been part of the organi- zation in a professional capacity for five years and was a volunteer prior to that. When she was first employed by Safe Passage, five people who were needed to make the organization run smoothly were in leadership positions, she said. Today, however, there are only two.
“I am a multitasker, and I am at the shelter (or outreach center/thrift store) 24 hours a day, five days a week,” Umphries-Buck said.
During her sometimes 100-hour workweek, Um- phries-Buck’s responsibilities include manning the 24-hour hotline; issuing orders of protection for