The HQ at CNX™ Welcomes Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania
DVSSP emphasizes early education and intervention programs as keys to interrupting the cycle of domestic violence.
December 13, 2023
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
“There is help. And there are people who want to help you.”
This is the message Maggie Novotny, Senior Director of Operations, wants to share with families dealing with living situations involving domestic abuse. Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) faces a daunting goal: achieving an end to domestic violence. Members of the organization work toward that goal through a variety of methods, including school and community education, counseling, emergency housing and legal advocacy.
“We believe that one of the best ways to prevent domestic abuse from occurring is through educating children from a very young age,” said Novotny. “We have elementary school programs that teach children to talk about their feelings and express them in a healthy way. For older youth, we developed programs to teach them how to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence. We also designed bullying prevention programs to help students recognize and intervene when bullying occurs. We hope this multi-pronged educational approach will assist in stopping the cycle of domestic abuse before it begins.”
In addition to elementary and high school education programs, DVSSP offers families emergency safe housing, access to legal advocates, individual and family counseling, and prevention and outreach services.
When Novotny learned that The HQ at CNX™ had space available to lease affordably, she was excited to build upon the organization’s already established relationship with CNX Foundation and embrace the opportunity. Dedicated to providing space for non-profit, charitable, underserved, women and minority-owned and underrepresented organizations, The HQ at CNX offers affordable, professional office space for organizations to elevate their businesses while collaborating with similarly-minded professionals. These businesses have different missions, but they share a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout our region. Together, these organizations are creating a community that is bringing CNX’s Appalachia First vision to life, providing long-term, positive impacts across the Appalachian basin.
“We are already benefiting from working in the same hub as other nonprofits,” said Novotny. “There are formal events like lunch-and-learns, but even just running into people in the hallway, being able to brainstorm situations in real time – all these little connections make such a difference.”
While domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic barriers, it most often affects women and families, and it can leave long-lasting impacts. CNX’s Appalachia First vision emphasizes breaking damaging cycles that prevent families from thriving. Together, organizations like CNX Foundation, The HQ at CNX and DVSSP can improve the future for generations to come.
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