Fighting domestic violence: A cause 
worth committing to

By JOAN OLIVER - joliver@nwherald.com

Turning Point victims advocate volunteer Marietta Chapple returns to her office after a court hearing at the McHenry County Courthouse. Chapple volunteers because a relative was in a 20-year abusive relationship. (H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@nwherald.com)

Jennifer Beaudion. Duncan Connolly. Jack Connolly. Amber Cremeens. Vitriza Wedward.

For the many volunteers who work with domestic violence victims, the five people with ties to McHenry County who were killed in the past year are five too many.

Their names will be read during a candlelight vigil Oct. 14 on the Woodstock Square to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The annual vigil honors the memories of those killed. But it also supports survivors, many of whom are served by Turning Point, a county agency that assists those affected by domestic violence.

During the past fiscal year, Turning Point served 1,834 men, women and children. To do so, it relied on more than 100 regular volunteers, along with countless groups.

Those volunteers come to lend a hand.

What they often leave with is a commitment to the cause and inspiration to do even more.

•  •  •

When Marietta Chapple’s sister left a 20-year abusive relationship, Chapple knew that she had to do something.

Once her circumstances allowed, that something was to volunteer with Turning Point.

“I’m six years into my 20-year commitment to be there for other women like someone was there for my sister,” Chapple said. “Partly, that’s why I do this.”

Chapple, who is Turning Point’s board president, began volunteering as a member of the board. For years, she’s worked to ensure the group’s financial health, raise funds, and serve as an ambassador for the organization in the community.

About five months ago, she added a new role: courthouse advocate.

“It’s probably the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Chapple said of the work she does twice a week in addition to her board duties. “So that was a real surprise after six years and at this point in my life.”

At the county courthouse in Woodstock, Chapple helps those who walk into the group’s office to obtain orders of protection.

There are about 40 pages to fill out; the whole process can take three hours.

“It’s a very intimidating thing she has to go through,” Chapple said of the steps to get a case number at the clerk’s office, see a judge, and return two to three weeks later for a hearing.

“Everything we do got crystallized at what happens at the courthouse,” she said. “This is the day they chose to take the action to say that ‘I don’t want it to happen anymore; I’m done.’”

However, Chapple said, that’s just the beginning.

“I see the long journey ahead,” she said. “Then we provide all the services that will save their life from that point on.”

Those services include support groups, individual counseling, help for children, and even help for abusers.

Chapple related a recent example of how both she and those she helps are affected.

A woman who had been in a 15-year abusive relationship and Chapple were in the circuit clerk’s office. The woman turned to Chapple.

“She said, ‘You must be tired of hearing this all day,’” Chapple said. “I was able to say to her, ‘It’s an honor to be here at this point when you’re taking this action to change your life.’

“She started crying and I cried, and she grabbed me really hard. It was a really incredible moment for both of us.”

Chapple said that for as many women as Turning Point is able to help, there are many more who don’t come forward.

“It keeps me up at night, thinking about those women,” Chapple said. “It keeps me highly motivated to do this work.”

• • •

Turning Point Executive Director Jane Farmer became a volunteer about 19 years ago, after receiving some of the agency’s services.

Farmer began bringing her two sons, then age 6 and 8, to volunteer. Back then, they sold candy bars and participated in Make A Difference Day events. Years later, they still help out.

“However you do it to get your kids involved [in volunteering] will be building on a foundation for them to know that by giving back to their community, they can make a difference,” Farmer said.

The ways to volunteer at Turning Point are as varied as the volunteers themselves.

Some help at fundraisers. Others volunteer on a weekly basis. Still others come with church groups or Scout troops.

Recently, Turning Point has benefited from McHenry County College students in the Promise program.

Farmer told of one young man who washed the hallway walls, something appreciated by the busy full-time staff.

“It’s all about finding a need for both us and the volunteer,” Farmer said. “What lights you up and what brings you passion about the issue of confronting violence in the home so that it fills your heart and that’s why you want to commit to Turning Point.”

Swany Getchell has taken the 40-hour training and volunteered in the food pantry and worked in child care. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

•  •  •

Swany Getchell came to volunteer at Turning Point by way of Iceland.

Getchell, along with her American husband, moved to McHenry County in January 2005.

When she had trouble finding a teaching job, Getchell sought another way to connect to the community.

“You have to learn to walk again,” Getchell said of establishing herself in a new country.

Getchell’s solution was to reach out to an organization that helped women. A couple of calls put her in contact with Turning Point.

What she found at the Woodstock center impressed her.

“You go into [Turning Point] … when all that diminishing human behavior is taking place, and you step into a door, and there is just warmth, kindness and respect for another human being,” Getchell said. “It just makes you come alive.

“You want to succeed, you want to do better, and you want to do as much as … Turning Point has done.”

Getchell volunteers once a week and began by doing any task assigned, such as working in the pantry, caring for children, and even helping to clean out the basement.

In February, she took a 40-hour training course that will allow her to expand what she does for Turning Point.

It’s even inspired her to look into taking classes to become a family violence counselor.

“As long as I am here, I can at least try to both receive and give,” she said. “As a human being, you have to find a niche and reach out.”

• To volunteer with Turning Point, call volunteer coordinator Jennifer Kenning at 815-338-8081.

To get help

• McHenry County Crisis Line: 800-892-8900

• National Crisis Line: 800-799-7233

• Turning Point: 815-338-8081; www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org

• P.E.A.C.E. 4 All: 815-455-7233 or 866-792-0923; www.peace4allonline.org



Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was in October 1987. In 1989, the first National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since then that the process was available.

Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence



Area events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Oct. 14

What: Candlelight Vigil: “If Even a Single Family Suffers It’s Too Many.”

When: 6 p.m., rain or shine.

Where: On the Woodstock Square.

Information: Mary Denney at Turning Point, 815-334-4630.



Oct. 22

What: Turning Point Annual Dinner

When: Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and program follow at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Crystal Lake Country Club, 721 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake.

Cost: Tickets are $75 a person.

Information: 815-338-8081.