Individual Advocacy and Counseling
Individual Services focus on providing emotional support, safety planning, domestic violence education, information and referrals and one-on-one assistance with accessing resources to become self-sufficient.
Support Groups
Various groups are available and provide participants with support and encouragement. Participants share their stories and communicate about resources in the community. Support Groups provide participants with valuable life skills such as financial literacy, parenting assistance, resume writing and interview skills. Rise & Shine groups are for shelter residents and is provided to offer assistance with resources, job searches, and a time to share other experiences in their journey to independence. Outreach group is for survivors that are not in shelter and it provides domestic violence education, safety planning, helps recognize the cycles of abuse, as well as the power and control wheel.
ART THERAPY
Art Therapy is offered to women and children through group and individual sessions when funds permit. Art Therapy provides an alternative avenue for individuals that have been exposed to violence who have difficulty verbalizing that experience in a more traditional counseling setting.
Children's Services
Children’s Groups are conducted concurrently with other support and educational groups. Child Advocates provide children aged 3 years and over with a safe environment where they can receive support and express their feelings through play, art, music and dance. Child Advocates also assist children in developing safety plans.
The Child Advocates act as liaisons with the schools where the children attend classes. They provide a safe place for children to interact with other children who have witnessed domestic violence in their homes. Activities include a monthly celebration hosted by a long-time volunteer who provides a cake, refreshments, and gifts as appropriate. Activities include field trips to movies, museums, and area parks and are coordinated with sister shelters to include their program participants.
Case Management
All program participants are assigned a Case Manager who will work with them to establish self-identified goals and objectives. The Case Manager will provide resources to assist with reaching these goals. The Case Manager is available to meet with the program participants for one hour a day if desired; however, a minimum of once a week is the norm. These goals often include employment, child care, educational requirements for themselves and their children, safety planning, housing, legal issues, etc. The Case Manager will assist the individuals with filing for government benefits or unemployment benefits---many of which can be applied for online.
In some instances, Child Protective Services are involved with the family unit. In some instances involving older battered individuals, Elderly Protective Services may be involved with the family unit. In both instances, our Case Manager works with the program participants to get these matters resolved.