DomesticShelter.Org's National Director, Ashley Rumschlag, and Hannah Craig, Director of Content, discuss their roles and backgrounds before and after joining the massive and prestigious organization which supports over 2.7 million annual visitors and has faciliated for than 55,000 "Hope Chat" conversations through their innovative technology partnerships. They detail the history of the organization and its many innovative arms of support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse including the Hope Chat AI-driven chatbot, providing instant support, and Verizon Skill Forward, which offers free online courses to survivors that can inspire life altering postive changes. Ashley and Hannah both focus on the importance of safety planning and seeking support, both before and after leaving an abusive relationship. DomesticShelter.Org's resources are highlighted, including a survivors' Facebook group and an extensive directory of online support groups. Ashley and Hannah discuss the significance of recognizing patterns of abuse and the role their "Hope Chat" AI chatbot can play in providing critical instant support and resources. DomesticShelters.Org's yearly sought after Purple Ribbon Awards recognize the contributions of advocates, organizations, and encourages future longevity in the field of domestic abuse support.

LINKS:

DomesticShelters.Org Website

Hope AI Chat Bot

Purple Ribbon Awards '26

Global Shelter & Support Organization Search

www.financialabusehelp.net

Grace Coleman, Director of Crisis Center North, shares her unique background growing up in a small Irish-American village and her transition to combating domestic violence. The center serves over 2,500 clients annually, providing critical services including emergency shelter and long-term counseling. Grace highlights their unique housing program for victims and their pets, and their innovative use of new technologies. She highlights the importance of financial abuse awareness and offers financial literacy workshops and a micro-loan program. Grace discusses the center's funding and the need for creative fundraising events to support continuing programs. as well as state, federal and foundation efforts. She introduces and shares the success of the PAWS for Empowerment program, which started as a single shelter dog named Penny and expanded to include more animal advocates to support victims, making the courtroom process more compassionate and humane for the survivors.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Grace introduces her current role with Crisis Center North in Pittsburgh.
2. She shares her origins from a small Irish-American village in Pennsylvania.
3. Grace recounts her transition from teaching to working at Crisis Center North, where she has been for 26 years.
4. She recounts the importance of her father's very diverse veterinary career and the lack of social work services in her childhood community, leaving her father to often provide critical crisis managment to the community.
5. Grace provides and overview and Crisis Center North's history, starting with its founding mother and her husband Paul, who provided pro-bono services to domestic violence victims.
6. She highlights the services provided by Crisis Center North, including hot line and text line services crucial for providing immediate support for victims.
7. Grace addresses the prevalence of financial abuse in domestic violence cases and the challenges victims faces when needing legal support.
8. Grace introduces the PAWS for Empowerment program, which started as a single shelter dog named Penny and has expanded to included various animal interventions.
9. She highlights the PAW's program's success and role in making the courtroom process more compassionate and humane.
10. She shares details of the center's fundraising efforts to ensure the center's sustainability and ability to provide comprehensive services.
11. Grace reflects on the personal fulfillment she finds in her work and the importance of integrating her passions into her career.

LINKS:

Crisis Center North Web Site

PAWS for Empowerment Program

www.financialabusehelp.net

Mr. Jay, relationship coach and betrayal trauma practitioner, discusses his background and shares his approach to dealing with betrayal trauma during the holidays. He details his personal experiences of growing up with financial instability and the impact of his parents' behaviors on his relationship with money. Mr. Jay emphasizes the importance of self-forgiveness and healing before making major decisions post-betrayal. He advises setting boundaries, practicing grounding techniques, and maintaining self care. He also talks in depth about keeping a holiday journal and focusing on creating meaningful memories instead of material gifts. Mr. Jay also discusses his upcoming plans for '26 and the launching of a betrayal trauma course for a local university.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Mr. Jay, relationship coach, educator and public speaker, highlights his background as a native of New York State and his enjoyment of his home town area.
2. He reflects on his childhood, describing his parents' financial irresponsibility and the impact it had on his family, including frequent moves due to financial instability.
3. Mr. Jay details his mother's overspending combined with his father's strict upbringing, which taught him the importance of earning what he wanted, even at a young age.
4. He shares personal anecdotes about his struggles, including having to collect cans for bus money to attend college without parental financial assistance, and reflects on
5. Mr. Jay explains the difference between stress and trauma, emphasizing that trauma overwhelms coping mechanisms.
6. He defines betrayal trauma as trauma caused by a primary attachment figure, such as a parent or a spouse, and discusses the unique challenges of healing betrayal trauma.
7. Mr. Jay advises listeners to set boundaries and not attend events that cause stress, emphasizing the importance of self care during the holidays.
8. He suggests several mental techniques to cope with triggering events and comments from holiday family members: keeping a holiday journal to manage thoughts and emotions, imagining oneself as a super hero, and engaging in activities that feed the soul.
9. Mr. Jay emphasizes the importance of self forgiveness and treating past traumas in order to heal the present.
10. He details suggestions for setting boundaries with family members during the holidays and the challenges of receiving support from family when disclosing relationship issues.
11. Mr. Jay shares his approach to New Year's resolutions, focusing on personal growth and self-improvement.

LINKS:

Mr. Jay Relationship Coach Web Site

www.financialabusehelp.net