Meet Our 2024 Partner: Bridges Domestic Violence Center!
History:
BRIDGES of Williamson County was incorporated in September of 1998, It consist of a Eleven (11) member Board of Directors. The agency received its 501(c)3 status in December of 1998. The origin of the agency name is the concept of bridging the gaps in services to help women and children in crisis to develop life skills and become successful independent members of our community, through education, crisis intervention, and case management.
The shelter opened with a five bed capacity and was full 95% of the time. We conducted a capital campaign and purchasing a new facility in October 2004. With this expansion we now have the ability to provide shelter to fifteen victims.
Program Services:
BRIDGES of Williamson County services include: Crisis Intervention Team – responding to domestic violence assaults with the Franklin Police Department. This services provides the victim with the support they need to make informed choices for their safety and the safety of their children. Also, it allows us access children which will enhance our efforts in breaking the cycle of violence before behaviors are learned and attitudes are formed.
Shelter Services – BRIDGES provides emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence and their children. While in shelter residents receive supportive counseling, case management, safety planning and referrals. With these services they are able to move forward with rebuilding their lives.
Support Groups – Support groups are designed to identify issues that promote personal growth and independence. We currently have three groups which include Stage 1 (acute trauma, the cycle of violence and safety Planning, Stage 2 In-depth understand of the long term effects of domestic violence and the tools to become healthy survivors and Spanish speaking group, Children’s group which has art therapy and play therapy to address feelings. We also provide free child care for children under the age of four.
Case Management – The case manager meets with the families on a regular basis to provide on going support to victims as they transition from a life focused on survival to one that is violence free. Immediate needs are prioritized and a “life plan” is developed to achieve their goals. This approach empowers victims to become proactive rather than moving from one crisis to another.
Court Advocacy – The Court Advocate provides support for the victim during the legal process. They explain the process of the court system, advocate with the judges and district attorney. The Court Advocate connects victims with referrals to pro bono attorney programs, other shelter services and Victims Compensation.
Child Advocacy – The Children’s Advocate provides weekly group play therapy for children who have experienced domestic violence. This group focuses on play and art therapy. The Children’s Advocate also provides one on one counseling for children living at the shelter and is a liaison for the children and the school system
Clinic – In 2006 we opened an in-shelter mental health clinic, staffed by two a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Transitional Housing – In 2017 we received an annual grant to provide up to one year of rental and utility assistance for clients leaving shelter. This also, includes supportive services with our Transitional Housing Advocate.
Batterers Intervention – In 2017 we added this twenty-six week program to provide batterer’s with the tools to break the cycle of violence. 90% of participants are court ordered after being convicted of domestic violence assault. There is also a quarterly class for participants that the court identifies to have anger management issues. (i.e. road rage, neighbor or stranger assaults) These are state certified programs.
Meet the Founder: Linda Crockett!
Linda has dedicated her life to service, beginning at age 14 as a candy-striper at Williamson County Hospital and reading to the blind after school. She served as a volunteer police officer for the City of Franklin for 9 years, and an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau. While serving as council leader for the Telephone Pioneers of America she: Instituted computer training in preschools, fund-raised for WAVES, St. Jude’s and the Statue of Liberty restoration.
In 1993 Linda focused her efforts to help women and children who are victims of Domestic Violence. She began volunteering with the local Shelter and Domestic Violence Program. Soon after, she was hired as a woman’s advocate. As with any Non-profit the budget was small; there were four employees to work at the sixteen bed shelter. When a Volunteer Coordinator Position became available Linda jumped at the opportunity to build the support system of volunteers and donors. She felt that she could have a greater impact in the lives of victims if more resources and volunteers were available to assist them with their needs. While in this position she built the volunteer base from Four to Seventy-five direct service volunteers and connected the shelter to many community groups that provided substantial amounts of financial and in-kind donations and services. In 1998 the local shelter consolidated their services into one large shelter in a neighboring county. Linda felt that services were still needed within her county and founded a Domestic Violence Program named BRIDGES of Williamson County. She work diligently for two years without a salary and single handily developed a board, applied for 501(c)3 status and implemented a shelter and domestic violence program which allowed victims to seek services within their community. BRIDGES offers the standard core components of shelter, court advocacy, child advocacy, support groups, and outreach. However, it also is unique to the area due to providing a crisis intervention team that responds to domestic violence assault calls with the local police department. She developed this program due to the fact that many affluent victims were not reaching out to the shelter because they could afford a hotel. This limited the programs ability to educate them on the other services offered. By responding to the scene we are able to provide option, education and resources.
In April of 2002 BRIDGES announced the start of a three year, two-million-dollar capital campaign to purchase a shelter that will accommodate the needs of a growing community. As one of the unique funding sources she worked with the District Attorney Generals office to impose mandatory donations from convicted perpetrators of domestic violence. In November of 2004, Linda and the Board of BRIDGES purchased a shelter that increased the capacity of the program four-fold. Over the next eleven months she added to her executive director responsibilities, the overwhelming job of on-site job foreman of the $450,000 remodeling of the newly purchased shelter. In November 2005 we occupied the new 11,000 sq. ft. building which through volunteers and in-kind donations cost $65,000 to completely remodel.
Over the past several years she has expanded programs to include childcare, mental health care, a batterer’s intervention program, social entrepreneur lavender business, transitional housing and Fur Babies Too pet accompaniment program.
Linda not only provides victims with life saving options, she has worked continually on social change. She has held the position of Chairperson for the Williamson County Task Force Against Domestic Violence and served as a Board member for the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She was chosen for the Peer Review Committee, which evaluates other shelter programs through out the state. Linda is considered an expert witness and has testified for many victims at court proceedings.
She has been recognized for her dedication and service with the following awards: Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, Helping Hand Award; Fraternal Order of Police, Community Service Award; Williamson County Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Leadership Award; Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Sue Juris Award for Outstanding Service to Victims, Lifetime Achievement Award, The Firestone/Bridgestone “100 People Who Serve” National Award and most recently the Sunshine Peace Foundation National Award. If ask she would tell you that her greatest award would be seeing the victims she serves become survivors and thrive in a life free of violence.
She has touched many lives, moved mountains and never learned the word can’t.
Through example she empowers others to set goals, give back to there community and get involved to make home a safe place.
Ways to Get Involved:
- https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Q6MM2DV2O5IR/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1
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Golf tournament – need teams, sponsors prizes and giveaways May 13th
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Gala – Jokers & Jackpots – Silent Auction items, sponsors, Jokers & Jackpots Sept 28th