Why Community Support is Essential for Survivor Recovery with Kathy Mull - Executive Director of The Cocoon

This episode of the ChangeMakers podcast, produced by CityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services, features an insightful conversation with Kathy Mull, the Executive Director of The Cocoon, a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency located in Wood County, Ohio. Hosted by Jeremy C. Park, the episode delves into the critical issues of domestic and intimate partner relationship violence, highlighting the work of The Cocoon and its innovative programs like Champions of Change.

Kathy Mull's Journey and Inspiration:

• Kathy Mull shares her background growing up in a small town in Ohio, which instilled in her the importance of community care but also exposed her to hidden struggles within families.
• Despite initial reservations about social work, influenced by her mother's psychology background and her own observations of unhealthy relationships among her peers in high school, Kathy was drawn to the profession as a way to support survivors of violence.
• She emphasizes that her understanding of social work evolved beyond child protective services to encompass a broad spectrum of support for individuals in need.
• Kathy defines a social worker as someone who walks alongside individuals during difficult times, opens doors, provides support in a safe space, and fosters community.
• She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Toledo and a Master of Social Work from Eastern Michigan and has over 22 years of experience serving survivors.
• Kathy is one of a small number of individuals who completed the Advocacy Learning Center course through Praxis International, underscoring her specialized training and expertise in supporting survivors.

The Cocoon: Providing Safety, Healing, and Justice:

• Established in 2005, The Cocoon provides shelter and advocacy services to survivors of various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, stalking, and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
• Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, The Cocoon serves Wood County, a largely rural area where resources for survivors were limited before its establishment.
• The impetus for The Cocoon's creation was heightened by four domestic violence homicides in the community, which underscored the need for local support.
• The Cocoon offers 24/7 support, 365 days a year, always at no cost to the survivor.
• The organization's mission is to provide safety, healing, and justice for survivors and all those affected by abuse, while also engaging in educational outreach.
• Kathy notes the significant increase in demand for services during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased isolation and other factors, and highlights that the healing process for survivors is now often longer and more intensive.
• The Cocoon serves an average of 850 to 900 survivors a year locally.

Champions of Change: Engaging the Workplace:

• Champions of Change is an innovative program developed by The Cocoon to partner with local businesses and organizations to support employees experiencing or at risk of domestic and sexual violence.
• The program aims to expand the safety net for survivors and prevent violence by creating safe workplaces and providing resources and education to employees.
• Recognizing that employees often confide in coworkers or supervisors before seeking formal help, the program equips workplaces to offer initial support and connect individuals with resources.
• The program also addresses the issue of survivors losing their jobs due to the impact of abuse on their work performance or abusers interfering at the workplace.
• Champions of Change provides businesses with workshops and resources to educate stakeholders and employees, fostering a corporate culture that does not tolerate violence.
• Kathy highlights the importance of a partnership approach, tailoring the program to the specific needs and culture of each organization.
• The program emphasizes proactive engagement rather than solely reacting to identified problems, sending a message that the company cares about its employees' well-being.
• A key aspect of the program involves training leadership and HR personnel first to equip them with the tools and language to support employees who disclose abuse.
• Kathy shares red flags that employers can be aware of, such as changes in work performance, increased absenteeism, implausible excuses, lateness, eagerness to leave work, changes in demeanor, and visible signs of physical abuse.
• The program provides employers with strategies for intervention and problem-solving to support affected employees while maintaining business productivity.

Lessons Learned and the Impact of the Work:

• Kathy emphasizes that every organization is different, necessitating a tailored approach to partnership.
• Overcoming employer reluctance by framing the program as proactive support rather than an admission of problems is crucial.
• The transformative impact of the program on workplace culture and the lives of survivors has been significant, exemplified by the partnership with Principal Business Enterprises (PBE).
• Kathy's work is deeply rooted in her identity as a social worker, prioritizing people first in all aspects of her role as Executive Director.
• She underscores that nonprofit organizations are businesses with a social mission.
• The stories of survivors have profoundly impacted Kathy, reinforcing the importance of creating spaces where their experiences are valued and where they can find safety and healing.
• This work has provided Kathy with a voice to advocate for survivors in broader community conversations, connecting issues like economics and housing to the prevalence of gender-based violence.
• She believes that social change, achieved through collective effort and open conversations, is essential to eradicating violence.

Call to Action and Getting Involved:

• Kathy encourages listeners to learn about and support their local domestic violence programs and Rape Crisis Centers.
• She highlights the importance of understanding where resources are lacking in communities.
• There are various ways to contribute to the cause, including financial donations, volunteering time and skills, and acting as a connector to link individuals with needed support.
• Being a safe person to listen and offering to connect individuals with resources is a vital form of support.
• The Cocoon's website, https://thecocoon.org, provides comprehensive information about their programs, ways to support them, and contact details.
• Their 24/7 hotline for accessing services or getting help is 419-373-1730, option 2.

This podcast episode offers valuable insights into the pervasive issue of domestic and sexual violence and the critical role of community-based organizations like The Cocoon. Kathy Mull's personal journey and her leadership in developing innovative programs like Champions of Change demonstrate the power of collaboration in creating safer communities for survivors and preventing future violence. It serves as a powerful call to action for individuals and businesses to become part of the solution.

The ChangeMakers Podcast is produced by cityCURRENT and powered by Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services.

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