Our Story

In the mid-1970’s the battered women’s movement provided enough safety to some women that the men who abused them were starting to look for help. There was challenge. We didn’t have any idea what would help these men to change. Lance co-founded of the Men In Violent Relationships Project in Minneapolis. By talking with men (on the phone) we would learn more about what mattered. This work re-focused his life and returned him to University study. His interdisciplinary, undergraduate degree, “Counseling Men Who Batter” culminated in an internship.

Actually two internships: Lance had met Frances Purdy at a workshop in one of his visits to Seattle, at that time the only place in the US besides Minneapolis that was working with men who abused intimate partners. Fran had piloted a program counseling men who batter at Tacoma YWCA. Providing a women’s shelter in a public location, it offered a perfect opportunity to work with the men also. Lance prepared a huge explanation of why he should be accepted as an intern. He called Fran up, started his request and Fran said, “Come on out.” Lance also had a contact at Family Services of King County and got a second internship there. Three weeks in, Family Services had lost most of its group members. Leaders were ready to give up. Lance noted that the program in Tacoma was going well; he offered to bring it to Seattle. Family Services accepted. It started working. Two years later Family Services of King County was working with 2,000 men a year. It seemed like a major result for a small investment in transferring a successful treatment model and culture. This is the first part of the semi-sabbatical a small interagency exchange of ideas and culture can have huge benefits. The semi-sabbatical involves going into a new host organization and then coming back bringing that experience back to the employing organization. This  kind of organizational level culture transfer has potential to bring remarkable improvements to the treatment programs involved.

After getting a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Lance was looking for paid employment doing. Fran was now directing Abused Women’s Aide in Crisis, Anchorage, AK and hired Lance as Men’s Services Coordinator. In the next three years, AWAIC changed the prosecution model from victim responsibility for charges to prosecutor responsibility, and established this policy for the entire Anchorage City Prosecutor’s Office. By the end of three years Lance had this simple summary of the experience. When I started I was learning so rapidly it was exciting; Three years later new learning had slowed way down. Lance returned to Graduate School and eventually was looking for a university faculty position. During one application interview, an interviewing faculty asked why he left direct practice after three years. Somewhat sheepishly he explained how he was learning less and less. To his surprise the faculty reply was, “Why do you think we require three years experience?” So this was happening to lots of people. That brought together the next part of the semi sabbatical, a change of experience at three years to revitalize and accelerate the learning of the individual who engages in the exchange.

“Years later, as Lance’s focus shifted toward substance use disorder treatment, he had the opportunity to mentor Anderson Saint Georges. Anderson’s leadership journey—from counselor to Treatment Program Director, CEO and his service on multiple boards in education, health, policy, and community recovery—reminded Lance of how vital mentorship is for professional and personal development.

Anderson, originally from Haiti, brought a deeply personal understanding to this work. Having witnessed domestic violence in his community, he carries the memory of his mother’s aunt, tragically lost her life to domestic abuse. This personal loss ignited Anderson’s lifelong commitment to breaking cycles of violence and supporting men and families in healing and transformation.

Together, Lance, Fran and Anderson saw that the need for revitalization and retention in the helping professions had never been greater. With widespread workforce shortages across social services, Leadership Sustainability Institute expanded its mission beyond semi-sabbaticals to include training, mentoring, organizational development, and applied research—all aimed at helping practitioners and programs grow stronger, more resilient, and more effective in then work of healing.”