Press Release: Branches Domestic Violence Shelter to Host BTR Communities Advocacy Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2025

CONTACT:

Sara Blevins O’Toole

Director of Development

304.529.2382

Blevins@branchesdvs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Branches Domestic Violence Shelter to Host BTR Communities Advocacy Summit

October 9 | Marshall Health Network Arena | 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Huntington, WV — Branches Domestic Violence Shelter will host the BTR (Building Trauma

Responsive) Communities Advocacy Summit on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Marshall

Health Network Arena. The day-long event, running from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will bring together community leaders and advocates to strengthen a trauma-responsive approach across our region. This year, Branches seeks to empower four key pillars of our community—the faith-based community, businesses, service providers, and neighborhoods—to imagine and create a culture that responds to trauma with compassion, resilience, and innovation.

“By building trauma-responsive communities, we not only foster an environment where survivors of domestic violence can thrive,” said Sara Blevins O’Toole, Director of Development at Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, “but we also create steadier pathways to safety, health, and hope for all of us.”

The BTR Communities Advocacy Summit will feature:

• Transformative sessions on the intersection of trauma and poverty.

• Insightful explorations of domestic violence in faith-based settings, led by a panel of

local faith leaders.

• Tangible techniques for bystander intervention, equipping participants to take action on

behalf of survivors.

• Practical guidance for businesses on creating workplace policies that support employees

experiencing domestic violence.

• A community action planning session, where participants’ voices will be essential in

determining the next steps for creating a trauma-responsive community.

Lunch will be provided. Spaces are limited, and early registration is encouraged!

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available in the fields of Nursing, Social Work, Domestic Violence Advocacy (DVAC), and Law Enforcement (LETS).

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Pallottine Foundation of

Huntington.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025

• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Location: Marshall Health Network Arena, Huntington, WV

For more information about the summit, please contact Sara Blevins O’Toole,

blevins@branchesdvs.org

For more information about Branches Domestic Violence Shelter and its services, please visit

www.branchesdvs.org.