Middle Way director makes a difference

Domestic violence is the most common crime in the United States -- and the least reported one. It is also the most serious cause of injury women face, according to the Middle Way House's Web site.\nToby Strout, the executive director of the Middle Way House, deals with issues like this on a daily basis.\n"It's such necessary work," Strout said. "You never wonder whether you're going to wake up doing something worthwhile."\nThe organization's mission is "to end violence in the lives of women and children by implementing or sponsoring activities and programs aimed at achieving individual and social change," according to its Web site. Its programs and services include crisis intervention, housing, support services, legal advocacy, childcare services and programming, economic development, community outreach and volunteering. The service began in 1971.\nStrout is in her 14th year as executive director of the Middle Way House. She was on the board for three years prior. She has witnessed many changes affecting the lives of the women who have come through the House. Strout said some of these include building transitional housing to give women a period of safe living with supportive services and creating businesses so women can become used to maintaining a regular schedule.\nStrout is responsible for maintaining the Middle Way House's programs. She oversees the budget, selects and supports the staff, evaluates programs' effectiveness and communicates with various aspects of the public. She also takes many on-call rotations, which means she has direct contact with women suffering from domestic violence.\nChristy Speer, a senior journalism major at IU, was a communications intern at the Middle Way House during the 2000-2001 school year and worked with Strout. Speer said that the Middle Way House makes Strout stronger and more positive than most people would have to be in their jobs.\n"I think she remains positive because she and Middle Way House actually make a difference," Speer said. "She sees such horrible situations, and she doesn't sigh and shake her head and give up. She works hard to make life better for the women and children she sees."\nStrout said the staff of the Middle Way House is great.\n"The staff is very creative and very resourceful," she said. "If we think about it, we can do it."\nHelping women affected by domestic violence could be a difficult experience for some people. But Strout, surprisingly, said she never feels that it is too tough to go into work. She said she stays positive despite everything she sees and deals with.\nStrout said if she takes the long view of a situation such as domestic violence, she sees positive change for people in Bloomington who deal with it. The Middle Way House reflects a big step for many women suffering from domestic violence.\n"We really are a successful program, so it's not as if we're going in every day expecting failure," Strout said.\nStrout said many children also come through the Middle Way House.\n"There's a lot of interaction, especially with mothers of two-year-olds," she said. \nStrout added that one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching the children run around the hallways of the office.\nMore than 50 percent of men who abuse their wives also abuse their children, according to the Middle Way House Web site. This violence is physically and emotionally harmful to the children's well-being.\nDespite days when the job seems too tough, Strout maintains an affirmative outlook.\n"It's a pretty positive place, contrary to what people believe," she said. "People are inviting you into their life when they're making pretty momentous decisions."\nStrout said that much of the work is joyful, even if it is frightening.\n"I wake up positive and ready to go to work," she said. \nShe added, laughing, that some days are so difficult that she wishes she had stayed home.\nSpeer said that Strout is both an optimistic and a real person.\n"Toby is one of the smartest people I know," she said. "She is caring and funny and kind and generous."\nSpeer said that Strout is dedicated to her job and to her cause.\n"She works hard and goes after what Middle Way needs," Speer said.\nIf students want to help people involved in domestic violence, Strout said they can give a $3 donation to the rape crisis center at registration.