Information below provided by Mallory Burton-Harris – Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas (Women’s Shelter of East Texas, Inc.) – Phone: (936) 639-1681 Email: mharris@fccet.com Website: www.familycrisiscenterofeasttexas.com
LUFKIN, TEXAS – Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas is honored to announce that domestic violence survivor, advocate and nationally recognized speaker Melissa Dohme-Hill will serve as the keynote speaker for the 4th Annual Passion for Purple Luncheon, taking place on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 11:30am, at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin with a Meet & Greet scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
The annual luncheon brings together community members, businesses and supporters to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault while generating critical funding for the agency’s life-saving programs and services. Every dollar raised helps ensure survivors throughout East Texas have access to safety, advocacy and the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Melissa Dohme-Hill, domestic violence survivor, advocate and Executive Director of Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas’ 4th Annual Passion for Purple Luncheon on Thursday, October 8, 2026. Dohme-Hill’s inspiring story of resilience and hope has touched audiences across the country.
Dohme-Hill’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. In 2012, she survived a near-fatal attack at the hands of her ex-boyfriend that left her fighting for her life. Following her recovery, she dedicated herself to advocating for victims and survivors, sharing a message of hope, healing and resilience with audiences across the country. Today, she serves as the Executive Director of Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay, a nonprofit organization serving families in crisis, and continues to inspire thousands through her powerful testimony.
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Melissa to East Texas,” said Whitney Burran, Executive Director. “Her journey is a powerful reminder that while domestic violence can have devastating consequences, it does not have to be the end of someone’s story. Survivors deserve hope, support and the opportunity to rebuild their lives, and Melissa’s message reflects the resilience we witness every day in the individuals and families we serve.”
The Passion for Purple Luncheon has become one of the agency’s signature annual events, bringing the community together to stand with survivors and learn about services that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“Our mission extends far beyond providing emergency shelter,” Burran said. “Whether someone needs a safe place to stay, counseling, legal or medical advocacy, transitional housing, safety planning, or simply someone to believe them, we are here every step of the way. Community support through events like Passion for Purple makes those services possible.”
Funds raised from the luncheon directly support the agency’s comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter and outreach services, transitional housing, counseling, personal, legal and medical advocacy, prevention education, public awareness initiatives and its accredited Battering Intervention and Prevention Program.
“Passion for Purple is about more than fundraising,” Burran added. “It is about bringing our community together to say that abuse has no place in East Texas and that survivors will never have to face their journey alone. Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship and every donation helps create safer futures for adults and children who have experienced violence.”
The Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas extends its sincere appreciation to Summit Fire & Security as a Gold Sponsor of the luncheon, Commercial Bank of Texas for serving as a Silver Sponsor, Ferrara’s Heating & Air Conditioning as the Printing Sponsor, Kicbac as the Raffle Sponsor, Flournoy & Flournoy as the Photo Booth Sponsor, and the many businesses and individuals whose generous sponsorships and support help make this event—and the agency’s life-saving services for survivors—possible.
Businesses, organizations and community leaders are invited to become sponsors of the 4th Annual Passion for Purple Luncheon. Sponsorships not only provide valuable recognition before and during the agency’s largest annual event, but they also ensure survivors have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Melissa Dohme-Hill’s inspiring story of resilience, healing and hope makes this year’s luncheon an especially meaningful opportunity for sponsors to stand with survivors and invest in a future free from violence.
To become a sponsor or for any questions, contact Mallory Harris at mharris@fccet.com or (936) 639-1681. To buy tickets or for additional event information, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/passion-for-purple-luncheon–2026 or visit the agency’s website at fccet.com and click on the Get Involved tab.
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, the agency’s 24-hour hotline is 1-800-828-SAFE (7233) or send a confidential text to 936-552-9256.
ABOUT THE FAMILY CRISIS CENTER OF EAST TEXAS
The Family Crisis Center of East Texas (FCCET) is a non-profit organization that empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing crisis intervention and advocacy services. The FCCET also engages the community through education to build awareness and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault. Since 1979, the Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas (Women’s Shelter of East Texas, Inc.) staffs a full array of professionals specializing in assistance for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Those services included emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis hotline, access to food and clothing, information and referral, legal and personal advocacy, child advocacy, counseling, support groups, transitional housing, homeless prevention, financial assistance, child care assistance, and more.