What We Do
2008 Programs for Advocates for Victims of Assault, Inc.
24 Hour Crisis Response Component
We provide 24 hour in-person crisis response in English and Spanish. Our services are used by law enforcement, the medical center, the coroner and by individuals in the community through our crisis hot line number. We respond to:
- Death Calls (homicide, accidental, natural death, suicide calls), providing support to family members or others close to the deceased.
- Domestic Violence – either in person on-scene, or as a “hot line” for people experiencing abuse or distress due to unhealthy dynamics in their relationship.
- Sexual Assault – either in person on-scene after a report to police or at the hospital, or as a “hot line” for people that have been sexually assaulted either recently or in the past.
- Other traumatic situations and as support to local first responders
In 2007 we responded on scene in person to 289 crisis calls. We received 2209 requests for information and referrals. And, we responded to 26 sexual assault calls and 11 death calls. |
Residential Component
Emergency Safe-House
We provide emergency safe-housing for women and children at our shelter and to men in hotels. Clients at the safe house have access to:
- Individual and group counseling
- Emergency financial assistance (transportation, prescriptions, rental assistance, etc.)
- Resources and referrals throughout Summit County
In 2007 we provided services to 286 victims of domestic violence. We provided emergency shelter to 29 women and 25 children for a total of 622 nights of shelter. We provided 105 free individual therapy sessions to 38 clients.
Transitional Housing Program
Our transitional housing unit is available to women with children to help them move from crisis to sustainability in the community. Clients in our transitional housing unit stay for 3-6 months for minimal rent. They have access to:
- Parenting education
- Early childhood programs
- Job skills training
- Financial literacy classes
- Child care assistance
In 2007 we provided housing to 2 women and 3 children in our Transitional Housing Unit.
Legal Advocacy Component
We provide legal advocacy in English and Spanish in the following ways: -
Court support
- Function as a liaisons between our clients and law enforcement, the Office of the District Attorney, and the court system
- Assistance with civil protection orders
- Free legal clinic for divorce and custody cases
- Immigration assistance for victims of domestic violence
In 2007 twenty six individuals participated in our free legal clinic. We completed 104 safety plans and assisted with 29 protection orders. Eighty one additional clients received court support from our legal advocate.
Outreach and Education Component
The Peace Maker Campaign Advocates for Victims of Assault, Inc. has developed what we refer to as our “Peace Maker Campaign” in the Summit School District. The Peace Maker Campaign was initially created based on the principal that children “live what they learn.” As part of this effort, we focus on identifying, modeling and reinforcing healthy, peaceful communication and behaviors throughout the lifespan. The question we ask the children, and ourselves on a daily basis is, “What can you do to be a peacemaker in your home, your neighborhood, your school and your community?”
In 2007 we received an award from the Summit County Optimist‘s Club as an Outstanding Community Contributor to Education in Summit County.
We work closely with our local school district to provide education around the areas of:
- Dating Violence
- Sexual assault and sexual harassment
- Non-violent conflict resolution
In 2007 we conducted Peace Maker workshops in every elementary school in Summit County to approximately 1,400 students. Additionally, we provided training, technical assistance and community education to over 2,300 participants.
As a result of the work that we have done in our local school district, we have received an award from the Summit County Optimist‘s Club as an Outstanding Community Contributor to Education in Summit County. Additionally, we have been acknowledged by our local school board as a “Caring Community Partner”. In a nomination form for this award, local school administrators stated, “There is no other outside organization who has invested as much in the positive development of our students!”
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