Operation Pretty Things (OPT) addresses multiple facets of intimate partner violence working to support victims, be a resource to shelters, educate young girls about dating violence, and raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence.
Missy Bennett launched OPT in 2007 as a charitable project providing women in shelters the skin care and cosmetics that women often leave behind when escaping a violent partner.
Today, OPT regularly delivers these gift bags, each with a unique handwritten “love note,” to residents in domestic violence shelters in 19 NC counties, as well as shelters in FL, GA & NY.
Missy and her volunteers generously prepare gift bags for other Harrelson Center partners, including residents at A Safe Place, which works to restore victims of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking; and Family Promise, which provides transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Shelter residents are not the only recipients. OPT’s Locker Box Initiative provides self-care essentials, as well as awareness and resources information to girls ages 11-14. Through Communities in Schools, Missy distributes locker boxes to area middle schools.
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