Turning Point
Robina Niaz, Founder
Turning Point for Women and Families (Turning Point) is dedicated to helping Muslim women and girls empower themselves so that they can advocate and find collective strength to change attitudes toward Muslim women in their community and in the larger society. It offers culturally competent services especially dealing with issues of domestic violence and educates about its effect on families and children as well as the larger community. In partnership with public, private and religious institutions, it also aims to mentor a new generation of social workers trained to address the needs of the Muslim community in New York City.
Based in Queens, Turning Point provides crisis intervention, individual and group counseling services that guide women to recognize signs of abuse, identify their needs, protect their children, regain self-esteem and find the power of their individual and collective voices. The organization reaches out to community members at social gatherings, conventions, Islamic centers, nonprofit organizations and mosques. It also provides trainings to service providers and city personnel to sensitize them about the needs of the Muslim community. By building a network of resources and volunteers, Turning Point is expanding services available to Muslim women and creating support networks that can provide similar assistance to the extended family relationship, which is often lost through immigration.