New kitchen for Turning Pointe clients

Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center in Shelton recently completed redesigning and renovating its kitchen that serves adults and children who are victims or witnesses of domestic violence.

The project was funded by $130,000 in private donations, including money from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, Mary Kay Ash Foundation, Sampson Family Foundation and Forest Foundation. The kitchen was closed to clients for three months while staff and volunteers prepared meals for them.

"The idea was to create a functional, warm, welcoming space for shelter clients to cook, meet and participate in shelter house meetings," Gina Finley, the organization's executive director, wrote in an email.

The new kitchen includes a small space for children with a mini kitchen set. Katherine McBride donated her services in creating the drawings and plans for the project. Len Williams helped with the permitting and final drawings. Christensen Inc. did the contracting services.

More than 500,000 meals were prepared in the former kitchen space, Turning Pointe reports.

Last September, the nonprofit organization celebrated the completion of a 400-square-foot addition to accommodate its growing youth programs with a ribbon-cutting

ceremony with employees, board members, donors and public officials. The two new offices are the focal point for youth advocacy and prevention.

Children now have more space to play, learn social-emotional skills, and connect with their peers.