By Marian Pontz
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're featuring Fai Hammond with the Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County.
“We have two volunteers, but we need tons more,” Fai Hammond tells me. Hammond is the community outreach and volunteer coordinator for Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County.
Though the recruitment of volunteers falls within her job responsibilities, by the conclusion of our interview, I discovered that Hammond is in charge of much, much more. And though that could become overwhelming and unmanageable, Hammond shares, “I come from a for-profit background, running my own graphic design and marketing business. Nonprofits' success is seen and experienced not in big moves and seismic shifts, but consistent little acts a little each day.”
And these small moves are what bring Hammond hope in a job that, frankly, could feel hopeless. Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County is a non-profit that recognizes that abuse – both domestic (within the household; this includes spousal, as well as a child to older parent) and intimate partner violence – has no economic, education, age, or racial barriers. It can happen to anyone — and it does. One in four men will experience abuse, and one in three women.
Hammond and her team are there for abuse survivors at the lowest points of their lives – when there is often no security nor hope. Each time, their team goes to work. For nearly 50 years, this organization has been educating, supporting, protecting, and, as Hammond shares, “offering a plethora of services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. We are always here to help.”
And help they have. In 2022 alone, 1,800 survivors of abuse came to them for help; 8,904 were offered overnight shelter; 753 calls and texts were answered from their completely confidential hotline – which can be reached at (717) 299-1249.
From a survivor’s first call, an assessment is made of all of the services that could be needed. An advocate guides the survivor through the process, making sure they and their children will be provided the legal, emotional, and physical support they need. From counseling to job training, if needed, all are provided.
Hammond makes sure to note that often, survivors of abuse are experiencing a loss of control, so their organization will support and guide them but expects each survivor to choose their individual destination. “I compare it to driving a bus,” Hammond says. “The survivor is the driver. We may point out potholes and upcoming impediments, but it is their choice how and where they drive the bus.”
2024 will mark the first year that Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County will be represented at the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair on Sunday, December 1 at the Lancaster Farm & Home Center.
At the holiday season event, Hammond hopes to share the non-profit’s expanded work and services, with the hope of moving into community education and working with students from ages 6 to 26 years old.
“Education is the prevention,” she says. “We will teach about healthy friendships and relationships. If the acceptance and prevalence of abuse come from a system embedded in culture, then the only way to truly make long-term change is to change the structure itself, and education is that tool to accomplish that goal.”
The organization is currently looking to hire a community educator. Right now, the community educator is an additional hat that Hammond must wear; however, she is looking forward to finding someone who can work in schools and classrooms. Hammond is also hoping to recruit volunteers who are willing to be trained and prepared to answer hotline calls, support survivors, and be the quiet guides on the bus to help the thousands who need support.
“We have helped thousands,” Hammond shares. “Each and every day, we give them hopeful possibilities. We have changed lives. Progress is being made.”
