Shelter Services

Emergency Shelter

Our confidential 45-day stay emergency shelter offers a safe and secure place of refuge and recovery for victims of domestic violence and their children. Our entire continuum of on-site provisions consists of food, clothing, hygiene items, support groups, parenting classes, one-on-one counseling, case management, legal, financial and medical advocacy, transportation, and children’s program including an on-site school for shelter children.

First 24 Hours

• Upon arrival, clients receive a tour of the facility and are shown to their own room. Each client has their own room to share with their children. Rooms are prepared with clean linens and freshly made beds. Each family member has their own bed and infants their own crib.
• Upon arrival, clients receive clothing and hygiene items.
• Each client is assigned to a Case Manager who will work with them throughout their shelter stay to formulate a safety plan, a strategy for the future, and to decide what is needed to move forward. The Case Manager introduces themselves to the family and assesses any immediate needs such as food and medical attention.
• We encourage the participants to use their first few days in the program as respite and rest. We give them the option to participate in any of the daily programs (art therapy workshops, support groups, counseling, recreational activities) if they feel ready and comfortable.

A Shelter For Hope Now And For Her Future

When “Gracelia” initially called the Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter’s (WCCS) 24-hour hotline, she and her five children were forced out of their apartment by her partner. The children ranged from 12 years of age to one month, and it was night time. She tried making a police report as advised by our hotline staff but was finally told by an officer that there was no abuse and to return home. Hotline staff immediately made a child abuse report against “Gracelia’s” batterer per the long history of beating “Gracelia” and the children. In the middle of the night, the police were forced to respond by the Department of Children Family Services (DCFS); and with the DCFS’ Emergency Worker, they went to the apartment. “Gracelia” and all five children were directly transported to WCCS’s emergency shelter as a result. In the time “Gracelia” and her children have been at WCCS, they received intense therapy and advocacies. Children attended on-site school and participated in the children’s program. “Gracelia” attended parenting and support groups. After a long fight to assure the safety of this family, “Gracelia” received a restraining order; and the children, who are terrified of their father, will not have contact until they return to court for a review in 6 months. “Gracelia” and her children were accepted to a respected long-term transitional shelter and are making an excellent adjustment in transitioning to the local community.

Transitional Shelter

Stella’s Friendship House, named after one of our founding members, is a 9-month program providing housing and supportive services to victims and their children who have made the transition from emergency shelter, but are not yet ready to be on their own.

What can be achieved?

The shelter and its resources are designed to offer a safe place for survivors of domestic violence and their children while they search for employment and/or continue their education. Families receive supportive services in the form of case management throughout the duration of the program. Survivors create self-sufficiency plans and goals to find employment, obtain childcare, ensure their children are on target at school, and move on to a better life. Participants are able to save up money while they are in the program for when they move out.