Sarah Sutliff, Ruth Tambornino, and Maggie Dess have been facilitating Tubman’s domestic violence support group – Pieces of Peace – together for over three years.
Sarah started volunteering at Tubman back in 2016, helping in the clothing closet and then answering Tubman’s helpline. Over five years ago, she shifted her role to facilitating the support group and has been doing it ever since. Ruth joined her in 2021, and Maggie in 2022.
What a team! With the support of Tubman staff member Karla Skovholt, every Tuesday evening these three have been providing a safe and hope-filled space to heal for people of all genders who have experienced domestic violence.
Sarah says, “To volunteer at Tubman is to be given a gift. The gift is wrapped with consistent encouragement and genuine interest and love of the mission from the staff. The gift is being part of an organization that boldly moves forward to help those in trauma, those moving forward in their lives as survivors.” Sarah has heard from the participants in the support group who have told her, “I feel that I am not alone… I feel that I have been heard… I have moved forward.”
Ruth had her own experiences with trauma in the past. “Tubman helped me through a difficult situation in my own life. When my three kids were launched, I knew I had the time to commit to volunteering.” Volunteering at Tubman has given her the opportunity to “witness the power of acceptance, love, and belonging in the road to recovery.”
Maggie adds, “To be a tiny part of people’s healing journeys has been a privilege; because of Tubman, I’ve seen hope restored in people who have deeply suffered. These experiences have helped me grow into a better person.”
