For more than 30 years, Turning Point, Inc. has provided human service programs for a variety of populations in the communities of northeastern Massachusetts. Today, these groups are: Adults with mental retardation; Women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and/or substance abuse; Individuals in need of substance abuse counseling; The diversity of Turning Point's populations is a result of its unique vision and leadership. If a need exists in the community which isn't being served, and if funding can be found, then Turning Point will build a program to answer that need. The care and empathy of Turning Point's visionary programs have helped thousands of individuals. As a non-profit agency, Turning Point relies on state and local agencies and the surrounding communities to support its programs. With this support, Turning Point will not only continue to build innovative services but it will also help these ideas be implemented in other communities. If there is a need, Turning Point will help. Turning Point, Inc. develops human service programs that promote empowerment, independence, and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages and for individuals in the communities who want to advance their own personal growth. Mental Retardation Community-based, supervised living arrangements and support services for adults with mental retardation. The Mental Retardation (MR) division of Turning Point supports people with developmental disabilities through programs that help them lead independent and meaningful lives within their community. Turning Point established its first program in 1981 for individuals with retardation. Today, there are over 40 programs throughout the North Shore and Merrimack Valley regions that help more than 150 people daily. These programs include residential home and apartment programs and a support service program. Turning Point's services focus on the individual, empowering them as people, friends, neighbors, and workers. The individuals they serve come as graduates from residential schools, from closing state hospitals and institutions, and from family environments where the care providers can no longer give sufficient support. The people in the programs often have dual disabilities, ranging from mental retardation, deafness, psychiatric diagnosis, to complex behavioral challenges. To support the continued growth of the human services industry, Turning Point sponsors the Summer Urban Youth Collaborative, an 8-week educational program for high school and college students. The program creates a greater awareness of the rewards of working with individuals with mental retardation as well as the career opportunities that exist in the field. The program, comprised of fieldwork and classroom training, is now presented in conjunction with Northern Essex Community College. Students are compensated for their field work and can earn college credits. Turning Point's services focus on the individual, empowering them as people, friends, neighbors, and workers. Family Services A safe shelter and services for women (and their children) who are victims of domestic violence and/or substance abuse. For over 15 years, Turning Point has helped battered women break the cycle of domestic violence, allowing them to move from a sense of fear, despair, hopelessness, and isolation to one of trust and belief. Since its founding, Turning Point has helped over 200 families including more than 400 children escape the batterers in their lives. The Family Services program begins with an immediate safe place, followed by a rebuilding and recovery period that occurs over several months. The final stage of recovery consists of services and programs that assist the women to confidently re-emerge back into society. Services such as transitional housing, education and training, individual and group counseling, and basic life skills help the women build meaningful, self-supportive lives. There are also programs for the children who are undergoing many changes and transitions. Counseling Services Individual and group counseling services for addictive behaviors. In 1971, Turning Point opened its doors as a substance abuse drop-in clinic. Since that time, Turning Point has counseled and assisted over 4,000 individuals. Today, the agency's counseling service focuses on individuals and groups as well as families on an outpatient basis, with the goal of offering a viable option towards harm reduction to self and the restoration of hope and dignity. Comprehensive care is provided for a wide range of issues, including substance abuse, relapse prevention, trauma survival, criminal behavior modification, partner abuse/co-dependency, and anger management. Turning Point's services include: screening, intake, drug and alcohol evaluations, assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and collaboration with probation and parole services. Affordable fees and flexible schedules are available.