Media Contact: Lucie Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; lucie@eafocus.com; 248.925.6726; Sara Dobbyn, Turning Point; sdobbyn@turningpointmacomb.org; 586.463.4430 x240
Mount Clemens, Mich. – December 5, 2022 – Sharman Davenport, Ph.D., President and CEO of Turning Point, an agency whose mission is to empower domestic and sexual violence survivors through comprehensive services and resources, has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Woman in Nonprofits for 2022. Davenport, who has been in her role at Turning Point since 2018, wasted no time in furthering the work and reach of the organization.
“I’m honored to receive this award from Crain’s that recognizes the important work we have accomplished at Turning Point,” Davenport noted. “I come to work every day with a mission to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and I’m thankful to have a board, team of staff and donors who work toward that mission with me.”
Davenport has had many achievements at Turning Point. Most recently, she helped secure a grant from Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, to address human trafficking in Macomb County. While different from domestic and sexual violence, survivors of human trafficking face many of the same challenges, and the grant acknowledges that Turning Point is equipped to address them.
During the pandemic, amid an accompanying and frightening increase in domestic violence, Davenport secured funding and introduced new transitional and rapid re-housing programs in 2020. With safe, affordable housing being one of the top barriers for survivors, these programs empower them by providing a safe place to live and build a life away from their abusers, free from violence. Davenport also directed the creation of a full-suite of supportive services for survivors, including educational and training programs, career coaching, and employment opportunities to help survivors become self-sufficient. Turning Point Housing Programs have capacity for approximately 50 families.
Davenport has built a career in nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining Turning Point, she worked at Lighthouse of Oakland County, ultimately serving as Chief Operating Officer from previous roles, including Vice President of Programs. While at Lighthouse, she was responsible for developing and implementing a Montessori Center for homeless children, a transitional housing program for homeless young mothers between the ages of 14-21, and a high school completion program.
Davenport holds Doctorate and Master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oakland University.
She is active in the Oakland University Alumni Association and has been President of the Oakland University Black Alumni Chapter since 2017, where she creates intentional pathways for alums and undergraduate students to connect through internships and informal mentorships and otherwise serves as a force behind the Chapter’s resurgence and growth. In 2018, she received the Oakland University Alumni Community Services Award.
Davenport received the 2021 Macomb County Athena Award, which honors the contributions of individuals who actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential. She is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Macomb and also a graduate of Leadership Oakland.
About Turning Point
Turning Point provides comprehensive, free, and confidential programs for domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking survivors, their loved ones, and the community. Services include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, housing, trauma advocacy/counseling, personal protection order assistance, legal advocacy, forensic nurse exams, first response advocacy, prevention, and community education. Second Hand Rose, another Turning Point service, provides survivors with gently used items while providing an opportunity for the community to donate and shop. Serving Metro Detroit for more than 42 years, Turning Point has helped over 125,000 survivors. Visit www.turningpointmacomb.org for more information.
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