PAVE: combatting domestic violence with support and information

12:00AM / Wednesday, October 23, 2002Print Story | Email Story

A physical symbol can make it easier to consider and discuss painful issues. By wearing a purple ribbon, a person honors victims of international and domestic terrorism; as others inquire about the significance of the ribbon, the message spreads. In Bennington, Project Against Violent Encounters (PAVE) raises awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and offers victims of such abuse information and support. With two weeks left in October â€” Domestic Violence Awareness Month â€” PAVE Executive Director Andrea Patten sat down with a reporter to discuss their cell phone drive. People who have wireless phones they're no longer using can donate them and turn their trash into another person's treasured protection. She also described the variety of ways that PAVE works to make the community safe; this knowledge will be especially valuable to those who need help and those interested in working as volunteers in the fight against domestic violence and sexual assault. PAVE services When a person calls PAVE on its free 24-hour hotline, they are connected with a trained advocate who listens and supports them in their goals. PAVE seeks to empower victims of domestic violence by restoring their options; power, control and violence take away an individual's choices, noted Patten. "Our advocates are not trained to say, 'Leave. Why are you with him or her?'" she continued. She described one powerful telephone conversation she had with a woman who detailed her abuse. Patten told her, "I believe you. If you want to talk, I'll listen â€” but you don't have to." Patten said she could hear relief in the woman's voice. PAVE advocates work with clients from the initial call until they're ready to move on, said Patten. Responding to a caller depends on their situation â€” and every situation is radically different, she added. As part of this individualized approach, advocates give callers information that can help them to be safe: about safe homes, shelters and legal or mental health services. If a restraining order is necessary, advocates help clients to obtain one, and serve as companion on visits to the police station, to court or to a social services agency. In some cases, if PAVE does not have the resources a client needs, advocates make referrals to partner organizations in the community, said Patten. The hotline is free and confidential, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and people can call as often as they want, she added. According to its 2000-01 annual report, PAVE responded to an average of three hotline calls each day and provided more than 2,000 hours of direct service to 335 victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. Patten said about 75 percent of their work revolves around domestic violence and 25 percent around sexual assault. There are no criteria for receiving help from PAVE. "We don't turn people away," she said. The advocates will spend time talking with a victim of any kind of domestic violence, whether physical, emotional or verbal. Unlike other agencies, PAVE is open to women, men and children; about 5 to 10 percent of PAVE's clients are men, noted Patten. She added that people often want to blame the victim, as in 'Why does she say with him or her?' This question takes the place of asking 'What's wrong with this person who hurts the one they love or who loves them? Patten speculated that people find it easier to think that domestic violence only happens to other people. Domestic violence is like breast cancer â€” it can happen to anyone â€” though it happens more frequently to women, she said. As the domestic violence and sexual assault agency for Bennington County, the PAVE service area covers almost 600 square miles. By virtue of its location, PAVE may be working with a client in one state, while prosecution takes place in another, she explained. A United Way organization, PAVE collaborates with organizations in nearby Massachusetts and New York. Through outreach programs, PAVE works to educate the community about issues relating to domestic violence and sexual assault. Advocates are happy to speak to groups â€” schools, churches or other organizations â€” about topics that concern them. "We're concerned about violence in the community. We'll go anywhere to talk about it," she said. Another way to raise awareness is through special projects like this month's cell phone drive. For Domestic Violence Awareness Month PAVE is experimenting with something a little different, she said. In a year when resources are scarce, the cell phone drive is a way to provide clients with an additional service without incurring any extra costs. Any portable cellular or PCS phone is accepted, except for bag phones or vehicle-installed models. Before dropping off a phone at the locations listed below, donors should deactivate the wireless service. PAVE also accepts telephone chargers and batteries. This drive allows PAVE to put what is no longer useful to one person into the hands of one who really needs it, said Patten. Volunteers: unsung heroes and heroines With a staff of six, PAVE couldn't offer such a broad range of free services without their volunteers, said Patten. Volunteers do a variety of things, from answering calls on the 24-hour hotline to providing short term safe homes for victims. Often people are hesitant because they're afraid of the subject matter, their own safety, and that they might not know what to say or do, said Patten. She stressed that all volunteers are well-trained and anonymous. Hotline volunteers must complete 20 hours of training before they pick up a phone, she said. PAVE volunteers do not go into peopleâ€™s home; if they need to meet with a client, they go to a safe and neutral public place. PAVE volunteers are "some of our unsung heroes and heroines"; it can be difficult to properly thank the volunteers, who are kept strictly anonymous, she added. Other volunteer advocate opportunities include learning about legal matters to assist as court advocate, or providing supervision for families in need of monitored access and visitation with their child(ren). In a program PAVE runs with United Counseling Service, volunteers provide temporary shelter beds to children and young people. Volunteers also conduct training sessions and community education programs and provide childcare for parents during scheduled support group meetings. There are a variety of roles for volunteers; if anyone has any other ideas about ways to offer support and assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, they can share them with PAVE, said Patten. To learn more about PAVE or to become a volunteer, call (802) 442-2370. The 24-hour hotline is (802) 442-2111 and toll free (800) 228-7395. Collect calls are also accepted. Cell phone drop box locations (CAN WE PUT THIS IN A BOX?) Town Offices of Arlington, Dorset, Peru, Readsboro, Woodford, Pownal Winhall, Shaftsbury, Rupert, Sunderland and Manchester. Bennington College (outside mail room). Southern Vermont College (in room 209). Cellular One - Bennington and Arlington. Manchester - the police station, the Vermont Country Store and Radio Shack.

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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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