Missions Inc’s Home Shelter is a safe haven for victims and survivors and their children who have needed to flee their homes due to domestic violence. The Shelter provides emergency housing and support services to over 600 female-identifying individuals and children each year.
Usually filled to capacity, the Shelter can accommodate 30 adults and children with an average length of stay of 18 days. Services are provided free of charge to all residents. Their shelter advocates work residents as they identify needs, set goals, and access services. Advocates assist residents in obtaining legal remedies, housing, financial resources, medical care, and transportation and accompaniment to appointments as needed. Home Free also offers a number of education and support groups as well as social and recreational opportunities. The Home Free youth and family program assists residents with children to identify and meet each child’s needs. The youth and family advocates work with children and youth individually and in groups to help them develop age-appropriate knowledge and skills related to domestic violence.
Child programming and supervised free play, groups, activities and one-on-one assistance is provided to Shelter children, including weekend groups and activities. Advocates also assist caregivers with placement of children in local schools. In addition to its direct services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, Home Free provides community education services. Staff members speak about the dynamics of domestic violence and distribute information at community events, schools, and places of work and worship. Through its community education efforts, Home Free seeks to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, which helps to prevent domestic assault and contribute to a community where everyone can live in safety.
