Empowering Women to find HOPE.
One of the ways we achieve our mission is by empowering women to overcome domestic violence with dignity and grace. We provide a comprehensive range of supportive services that are empowerment-based, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed, all aimed at empowering the survivor to find a lifetime of freedom and hope.
Because paying for help should be the least of her worries, all these services are offered at no cost to qualifying persons.
Safety & Security at the Mary Rubloff Harmony House, or "Harmony House." Harmony House is a 72-bed secured, year round, 24-hour shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse. Harmony House is staffed by certified domestic violence professionals with a combined experience of over a century and offers food, clothing, transportation, safety planning, case management , individual and group counseling, referrals and information and advocacy to all women and children regardless of age, race, religious affiliation or immigration status.
SAFEHouse/Rapid Re-Housing pairs a domestic violence survivor with a case manager who helps the survivor avoid homelessness after fleeing domestic abuse. This program helps the survivor find permanent housing through deposit and temporary rental assistance and provides case management addressing all aspects of life to empower the survivor as she pursues an independent life free of abuse. To learn more about SAFEHouse, click here.
Economic Justice & Economic Empowerment ensure that financial literacy services are offered because many abusers use finances as a way to exert power and control over a victim of domestic violence. To help survivors restore or gain financial freedom, we offer educational workshops on resume writing, job search, interview tips, and financial stability. Survivors may also get assistance with financial literacy, credit repair and pursuing education goals.
Child Protection Advocacy is available through a Co-Located Advocate who provides guidance and consultation to Child Protective Investigators (CPI) on child welfare cases that involve domestic violence. The Survivor, CPI, and Co-Located Advocate all work collectively to ensure the safety of a child who may be secondary victim of domestic violence. Operating on the Safe & Together model, the Co-Located Advocate works with the survivor on safety planning and advocacy. More information about this program is available here.
Injunction for Protection (IFP) provides those fleeing a domestic violence situation with free legal representation throughout the restraining order process. The IFP attorney provides legal advocacy through the entire process and helps survivors navigate the court system. This empowers survivors to strengthen their voice and become their own advocate in the justice system.
Outreach Services are offered to victims of domestic violence who need the guidance and support to escape abusive relationships. The Outreach Advocate has a Victim Services Practitioner Designation and assists survivors with relocation, referrals and information, advocacy, safety planning, and connection to community resources to help victims leave safely and sustain their freedom from domestic violence.
Primary Prevention of future domestic violence is at the heart of our work. We work with youth from elementary to high school age to educate them about safe relationships in order to prevent future perpetrators and victims. YWCA Students Against Violence (Y-SAV) helps youth recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships and empowers them early in life to prevent the development of abusive relationships in their future. Y-SAV offers "Coaching Boys Into Men" and "Athletes as Leaders" - two initiatives aimed at actively engaging youth in violence prevention. Click here to download our Y-SAV brochure.
Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, faith-based organizations, and the survivor, we are able to provide these services to individuals and their children in need of assistance fleeing domestic violence.
