Annual Report2012

Table of Contents

Letter From the Director

Staff List

Mission & Core Values

Financials

The Shelter

The Resource Center

Volunteers

Origami Bird

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Letter From the DirectorSafe Haven reflects on calendar year 2012 with pride, gratitude and enthusiasm for what we can accomplish in the years ahead. We are proud of the accomplishments of the past year:

A new look (the red peace crane) and a new name (Resource Center) for what was the Family Justice Center, unifies our Shelter and Resource Center and makes us more identifiable;

New staff with Brittany Robb becoming our Shelter Supervisor in October 2012; and

New programming including a cyber-bullying campaign aimed at parents of potential victims.

We are most proud of our direct service to women and children, which is the heart and soul of our mission. Some of our impressive statistics were:

1,392 crisis calls answered 1,984 unduplicated women and children served 289 unduplicated women and 245 unduplicated were residents

of our shelter in 2012 16 women moved directly from the shelter into transitional housing 110 women moved directly from the shelter into permanent housing 83% of women leaving the shelter said that staying at the shelter

had increased their ability to accomplish things on their own 86% of women staying at the shelter reported learning new

information to keep them safe.

We are grateful for our caring and talented staff, our board members who provide oversight and vision, our partners in this work from the Duluth Police Department to mental health workers, and our volunteers. We are truly grateful for our generous donors who make this work possible and who do so much to encourage us.

We look forward to the year ahead. We will continue to offer safe shelter and comprehensive services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. We will pursue new opportunities to offer services to individuals at risk for exploitation and violence. We will be here as long as we are needed.

Susan Utech, Director

Letter From the Director1

Board of Directors 2012Robin Roeser, ChairPeggy Anderson, SecretarySharon Rolle, TreasurerSusan AndersonJudyth BabstMarilyn BamfordSharon BuchananBill BurnsDenise BussaDebbie CervenkaStephen HennessyMelissa KadlecVirginia MayDiane Miner

AdministrationSusan Utech, Executive DirectorBeth Elstad, Financial CoordinatorLibby Bergstedt, Office Assistant

Resource Center/Legal AdvocacyHeather Drees, Manager/Legal Advocacy SupervisorKaitlyn Beise, Legal AdvocateMargo Colomb, Legal AdvocateNancy Rectenwald, Self-Sufficiency Coordinator

Support GroupMichelle Miller, FacilitatorAnn Harrington, Facilitator

Shelter ProgramBrittany Robb, Shelter SupervisorCelesta Jackson, ReceptionistDale Minkkinen, MaintenanceMavis McDonald, Shelter CookMaude Dornfeld, Community EducationHilary Hintsala, Volunteer CoordinatorMolly DeBrock, Follow-up AdvocateAngela Wynn, Women’s AdvocateAngela Giancola, Women’s AdvocateKaren Evanson, Women’s AdvocateJennifer Davey, Women’s AdvocateAshley Jennings, Women’s AdvocateLindsay Brooker, Women’s AdvocateFlorencia LeBlanc Matamoros, Women’s AdvocateAnesa Sorensen, Women’s AdvocateCrystal Bosshart, Women’s AdvocateMona Peterson, Children’s AdvocateEve Garramone, Children’s Advocate

Board of Directors & Staff List 2

We provide safety for women who are battered and their children, and work to end violence against women.

Striving to overcome fear and create a safe environment for all

• Nonviolence• Shelter• Confidentiality

Safety

Equality

Teamwork

Empowerment

CompassionWorking toward justice and shared power

• Fairness• Diversity• Respect

Collaboration with trust, integrity, passion and competence to reach our goals

• Positivity• Enthusiasm• Supportiveness

Providing support and resources with non-judgmental advocacy

• Empathy• Dignity• Understanding

Creating independence through education, respect and awareness by putting the needs of the woman first

• Healing• Strength• Growth

Mission

Core Values

Mission & Core Values3

2011-12 REVENUE

2011-12 EXPENSES

Financials

Financials 4

2% Development12% Management & General19% Resource Center67% Shelter & Education

3% United Way5% Investments & Other Income8% Individuals & Corporations17% Foundations & Other Grants67% Government Grants

$1,703,430

$1,629,634

Women’s Program

Children’s Program

The journey to a life free of domestic violence is fraught with fear, insecurity and doubt. It can be a long and uncertain road, but in our community it’s not one that survivors of domestic violence have to face alone.

In 2012 the Safe Haven Shelter program continued to be a place of refuge and solace for each courageous woman who made the decision to travel a new path of safety with her family. From the moment her call is answered on our 24-hour crisis line, a survivor is given the support she needs to take one more step further in her journey to a life free of abuse. More than 1,000 women made that call this year alone.

For some of these women a call was all they needed to find resources and support in our community. For others it meant creating a safety plan over the phone with a skilled Advocate. For many her call meant making plans to leave her abuser and seek shelter at Safe Haven. 345 of these women and 308 of their children temporarily called Safe Haven “home” as they transitioned to an independent life free of abuse. In 2012, Safe Haven experienced a 99.4% occupancy rate, which translates to operating at nearly full capacity for the entirety of the year.

Although domestic violence continues to be a ubiquitous, tragic issue in our community, we are proud to provide compassionate, comprehensive support, education, and advocacy for the victims who are among our community’s most vulnerable.

A majority of the women served by Safe Haven’s shelter program walk through our door timid, fearful and untrusting. The first priority for all Safe Haven Advocates is to make our newest resident feel as comfortable and safe as possible. Each woman is given a 911 phone, a personalized safety plan, a warm bed and a hot meal. After her basic needs are met the healing process can begin, and Safe Haven’s newest resident can plan for the next stretch of her journey.

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While at Safe Haven each resident is assigned to a team of Advocates who support her in her search for safe housing, employment, filing Orders for Protection, establishing child care, and connecting with community resources. During the short time spent working with our Advocates, residents of Safe Haven gain a sense of pride in who they are and what they are working toward, and confidence in their ability to move forward to an independent life free of domestic violence.

The Children’s Program includes basic care needs, child care, parenting time, and referrals to community organizations and schools. The Program provides a safe and trusting environment to advance social, emotional and cognitive development. We promote children’s development through interactive activities, individual and group discussions on Domestic Violence, after school tutoring, and community day trips. In 2012, we had 308 unduplicated children stay at the shelter.

Day One® Services Safe Haven Shelter is a participating organization in Day One® Services, a collaborative effort to connect women to domestic violence services across the state of Minnesota with one phone call.

Safe at Home Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program by the Secretary of State that allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or others who fear for their safety to establish a confidential address. Safe Haven Shelter is one of two organizations in all of St. Louis County that can provide this type of service.

Pathways ProgramPathways is a unique program that allows the Follow-Up Advocate to stay in contact with women after they have departed from the shelter. Participants in this program build strong relationships with Safe Haven staff which typically leads to more women engaging in our resources following their time in the shelter.

One of the top contributing factors to the success of the Pathways program is an incentive system, in which each participant receives a cash reward after completing a self-identified goal or “contract.” Pathways offers a chance for these women to set achievable goals for themselves that are self-defined, while being actively encouraged by an Advocate who also provides helpful resources. In addition, receiving the incentive offers a chance for women to be in control of the funds they have earned. This creates a dramatic newfound sense of independence and accomplishment.

The consistency of meeting with an Advocate up to four times per week, as well as the length of time it takes to complete Pathways, both contribute to how well the program works. It takes approximately one year to complete the program, which gives women ample time to build trust with their Advocate, learn about various community resources, build a strong network of support and truly feel comfortable asking for help.

Follow-up work at the shelter can be a daunting task, but Pathways is a perfect counter to all of the issues we face. No other program has offered such benefits like independence, stability and connection with our services; and the relationships the Advocates and women have is truly life changing.

In 2012, a total of 29 women were served in Pathways. Over the lastyear, data shows that:

96% OF PARTICIPANTS say they have improved their physical & mental health

96% OF PARTICIPANTS report they have more stability in their life

96% OF PARTICIPANTS say they’ve increased their self-esteem & confidence

87% OF PARTICIPANTS say they have gained info on community resources

92% OF PARTICIPANTS are no longer in abusive relationships

80% OF PARTICIPANTS have secured housing

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Community Education Program When Safe Haven first opened its doors 35 years ago, we understood the critical role community education plays in preventing domestic violence. Our Community Education Program (CEP) raises awareness of domestic abuse and Safe Haven’s services by providing educational presentations to community groups, civic organizations, students and professionals. The CEP also provides training to Safe Haven volunteers and staff. In 2012, 86 presentations were given to 1,667 people.

A major focus for the CEP this year was on addressing the increasingly serious problem of technology-facilitated abuse. With the support of a Verizon Foundation grant, the Community Education Coordinator attended several national trainings on the topic, and in turn developed an innovative workshop to help parents and caregivers recognize and respond to cyber bullying and digital dating abuse. Safe Haven acquired several iPad tablet computers, which offered attendees a “hands-on” opportunity to interact with the latest screen technologies while learning to recognize and appropriately respond to digital abuse. The roll-out of the “Tech Savvy Parenting” workshops was extensively covered by local media, which has helped spotlight the problem of not only cyber bullying, but of teen dating abuse in general.

Recognizing that many battered women’s first opportunity to receive help is through the health care system, the CEP worked with area health care providers to promote universal screening for domestic violence. Reflecting these efforts, the Duluth Family Practice program has all new resident physicians tour Safe Haven Shelter and receive training on recognizing domestic abuse. The Community Education Coordinator also guest lectures on domestic violence each semester in the student RN and LPN nursing programs at Lake Superior College. In 2012, a “Quick Reference Guide” was also developed and distributed to area emergency departments to improve the process by which battered women are referred to Safe Haven from the hospital.

In addition to small-group educational presentations, the CEP worked to broaden community awareness through a series of special events held throughout the year:

In May, the Leadership Duluth class of 2012 produced the first FunnyRaiser, a showcase of women comedians, with proceeds benefitting Safe Haven. The event was so successful that plans for the FunnyRaiser: Part Deux are in the works.

In October, Safe Haven collaborated with community partners to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month through numerous activities, including a preview screening of the documentary “Half the Sky” as well as a march across the Bong Bridge to symbolize Superior and Duluth joining together in the fight against domestic violence.

Safe Haven’s annual fundraising luncheon, also held during October, was attended by a record number of supporters. This year’s theme, “Out of the Darkness…Into the Light” focused attention on the importance of follow-up services and highlighted two former Safe Haven clients’ amazing stories of not only surviving, but thriving after escaping abusive relationships.

As in years past, the CEP continued its prevention efforts targeting at-risk populations, including teenage mothers and women in residential chemical dependency treatment programs. The CEP also conducted monthly educational groups with residents of Safe Haven Shelter. These sessions presented information on the dynamics and after-effects of relationship violence, as well as many of the abusive tactics commonly used by batterers. In discussing the power & control wheel, women were often surprised to learn how many of their experiences were shared by others, resulting in a sense of connectedness with other survivors and greater personal empowerment.

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Adrienne’s StoryAdrienne and her two children have been Safe Haven shelter clients several times during her relationship with her abuser. The frequency and intensity of assaults has only increased during the time we have supported Adrienne.

When she came to Safe Haven just before Easter I recognized her children almost instantly. How they had grown! When I called down the hallway to Adrienne, she turned around and that’s when I saw only the beginning of the abuse she had suffered. Her smile was as bright as ever, and I did my best to hold back a wince at the sight of her facial bruising.

As I read her intake notes and police report, and viewed the photos taken by the Advocates I realized that now more than ever Adrienne’s life was in danger. Her wounds were among the worst I have seen in my time at Safe Haven. She had a large bruise on her face with defined knuckle marks lining the top of her cheek bone, extensive bruising to her jaw, shoulders and chest, and a line of bruising around her waist.

Adrienne was at home when the most recent assault occurred. Adrienne’s abuser was angry that she had not completed the tasks he had outlined for her that day. The verbal argument escalated to physical abuse, and at that time Adrienne’s oldest child called 911. When the police arrived Adrienne’s abuser argued that she had “fallen into a radiator.” Fearing another assault, Adrienne corroborated his statement. The children had another story to tell. They explicitly described the assault and because of their statements Adrienne’s abuser was arrested. Adrienne came to Safe Haven with her children that day.

During her stay at Safe Haven, Adrienne experienced a wide range of emotions spanning fear, confidence, regret, hope, loneliness, anger and relief. In her first few days in the shelter, she expressed how she felt “so stupid for still loving someone who could do this,” but she made a promise to her children that she would never go back. Adrienne realized she was at a point in her life where she had to choose between an abusive partnership, or the safety and happiness of herself

and her children. She knew what lay ahead if she returned—not only abuse, but the certainty of losing her children to protective custody.

As Adrienne and her children began to open up about the abuse they had suffered, memories of terrible cruelty began to flood back into conscious thought. In addition to the treacherous abuse Adrienne suffered, the children had also been beaten and assaulted with weapons, injured by electric shock, and deprived of food and water for lengths of time that seemed like an eternity.

Adrienne gathered her confidence to not only press charges against her abuser, but also make a court appearance with a Legal Advocate. Adrienne also filed an Order for Protection, which was granted for two years. Her abuser is currently jailed and awaiting his court date on charges of Domestic Assault and Malicious Punishment of a Child.

Adrienne relied on the support of the Safe Haven Advocates to see her through to the next chapter of her life, and we were committed to doing all that we could to help her move forward. Adrienne has returned to work, and recently signed a lease on a new home. Her children are enrolled in school and have been accepted into trauma therapy programs at local mental health facilities. Adrienne’s first priority has always been ensuring her children are receiving the help they need to move forward, and now she is focusing on her own emotional and mental needs.

Adrienne has expressed many times how grateful she is for our ongoing support:

Every time I went back home I thought it would be different, and it never was. But Safe Haven was always there for me and I never felt like I was being judged or put down when I made the calls for help. You all saved me.”

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“Advocate was very helpfuland believed me.”

The unveiling of “Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center” in October 2012 re-energized our mission and gave our center a new look and presence in the community. “Taking Flight, Transforming the lives of women as they move from fear to freedom,” ties really well into the Resource Center’s mission to provide outstanding support and advocacy through a wide range of services and programs to women and children experiencing domestic violence. We’ve heard positive feedback from clients, partners and the community, and we look forward to the new presence this process has given us.

Our goal will always be victim safety. We take pride in being a victim-centered program; having compassionate, knowledgeable staff; and offering wrap-around services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

A few highlights from the year are: Collaborating with PAVSA for trafficking victims to use the Resource Center as a safe space without having to identify who they are for safety reasons, implementing recommendations from Witness Intimidation audit into our legal advocacy practices, and revamping the on-call program to meet the immediate needs of domestic assault victims.

Resource Center2012 was an exciting year for the Resource Center, formerly the Lake Superior Regional Family Justice Center. The biggest change was the rebranding to bridge the gap and confusion of the organization having two locations with unrelated names, which resulted in a name change for the center.

“Very caring staff.”

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“I appreciate everything that was offered to me. Thank you!”

“Very understanding staff. She spent a lot of time with me and answered all my questions. Felt like she really understood what I was going through.”

Resource Center CalendarMonday

Healing Circle Against All Odds

TherapySalon Massage Therapy

Legal Aid

Empowerment GroupHealing Steps

Empowerment GroupHealing Steps

Empowerment GroupHealing Steps

Empowerment GroupHealing Steps

Legal Aid

ARMHSSalonPediatricianNurse Practitioner/RNSpiritual DirectionHealing TouchGED Tutoring

Therapy

Therapy

Therapy

Healing Circle Against All Odds GED Tutoring

Healing Circle Against All Odds GED Tutoring

Healing Circle Against All Odds GED Tutoring

Spiritual Direction

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

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As an agency, we are always looking for ways to improve and develop additional services that benefit our clients. We continue to recruit for professional volunteers to sustain and grow the programs we offer. 2012 was the Resource Center’s fourth full year of operation and we again saw growth by serving 1,402 unduplicated women by staff and partners (693 were new clients never receiving services before), responding to 1,171 new incidences of abuse, and completing over 10,200 activities. We are extremely grateful to the community and our generous partners for their continued support in helping battered women.

1402693

117110,200

unduplicated women served

new clients

incidences of abuse responded to

activities completed

The Legal Advocacy Program is the predominant program at the Resource Center and provides the off-the-street access to services for victims of domestic violence seeking protection from the court or additional safety.

The program was comprised of two full-time Advocates and a supervisor during the year, and a part time women’s and Legal Advocate position was created in December to help meet the need of the growing client numbers, and also to increase shelter residents access to legal advocacy needs. Legal Advocates work closely with the criminal justice system and various public and private organizations to increase women and children’s safety and hold offenders accountable.

The Legal Advocacy program served 871 clients, assisted with 255 orders for protection and 97 harassment orders, followed up with 307 victims post-arrest and 163 victims on non-arrest and gone on arrival reports, and attended 252 civil and criminal court hearings.

In addition, 47 women had their injuries/evidence documents; 46 women received services from the weekend on-call program either by a home/hospital visit, telephone contact, or information dropped off to them; and over 450 personalized safety plans were developed with women.

In an effort to provide support for women above and beyond court ordered protections, the Resource Center serves as a co-location for local professionals whose mission is to support victims of domestic violence and provide a multifaceted approach to helping them wherever they are at in the healing process. These support services are the core of offering a holistic approach. This makes our space a unique and effective location in assisting women across a variety of needs in one location.

Professionals in the criminal justice system— probation, law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim witness advocates—respond to the RC on an on-call basis to meet with victims. Currently Legal Aid, a

Legal Advocacy

Partner Services

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therapist from Harbor City Psychological Associates, and an ARMHS worker from Nystrom & Associates spend time at the Resource Center. The monthly Wellness Clinic the Resource Center hosts was turned into Wellness Week in October. The first week of the month features a massage therapist, salon services, a pediatrician, spiritual direction, healing touch and a nurse practitioner/RN for women’s health that joined us in the fall from the Women’s Health Center.

All practitioners are professionals in the community who volunteer their time at the Resource Center. In 2012, collectively there were 246 visits with our partner services.

Support groups are critical in educating women on the dynamics of domestic violence as well as serving as a safe and supportive environment to discuss their feelings, hopes and dreams.

We were fortunate to add two new groups, which were created to address the additional needs of our clients. 155 women attended support groups over the year.

Transportation and free child care are provided for each group.

Support GroupsWomen’s Empowerment GroupThe Women’s Empowerment Group focuses on the needs of women once they are out in the community, the necessary steps to leave an abusive relationship, self-reflection, and self-esteem building as they work towards further empowerment.

Against All OddsAgainst All Odds is the young women’s group (17-23 years old) which focuses on the dynamics that young people face in regard to violence to themselves, in the home, at school, and with technology.

Healing StepsHealing Steps is a 27-week closed group which opens up approximately every eight weeks for new members. There are new topics each week, guest speakers, and short times set aside for individual sharing.

Healing CircleHealing Circle allows survivors to find support for their feelings and experiences in a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental manner. It allows survivors to heal in their own way and time.

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Healing Circle Support GroupOn Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. at the Safe Haven Resource Center, women from the Duluth community (and their children) are invited to attend our Healing Circle support group. This is an “open group” and available to anyone who wishes to come.

We have been pleased to see our attendance consistently grow from a gathering of five or six to a group of fifteen women gathered together around the large Resource Center meeting table. There is always room for one more dear woman making time for her own self care, support and growth. We are most grateful for the child care services that are provided each week by men and women from our community who volunteer their time in this valuable way.

Although the Healing Circle group uses an open format with a variety of women circulating in and out depending on their current needs, some local treatment programs encourage and even “strongly recommend” the regular attendance of their women at our Monday night group. Monday Night Healing Circle sessions are about offering connection, understanding, empathy, information, empowerment and creating a sacred confidential space in which all can fully relax and trust.

We tend to have monthly themes and discuss topics that have been requested by the women themselves. These learning areas relate to recovery from addictions, self-awareness and domestic abuse issues. Some examples of these requests are: Boundaries, Self-Esteem, Codependency, Anger Management, Compassionate Nonviolent Communication Skills, Parenting Issues, Sexual Expression, Mind-Body Connection, Healing from Grieving, Conflict Resolution Skills, How to Say NO, Creative Visualizing, Decision Making, Dream Interpretation and Spiritual Growth.

The Power and Control Wheel / the Duluth Model is something we also use on a regular basis. In addition to our regular format and lessons, we are so fortunate to have had the Duluth Poet Laureate as well as a local writing instructor/professor offer their time and talents as guest presenters for our group.

One of the best things that happens on Monday nights at the Safe Haven Resource Center is the natural exchange of opinions and information about services available through Safe Haven specifically and in our community generally. New women in our group express excitement about all the various services available to them through the Resource Center. Legal counsel/advocacy is a crucial need our women mention every week.

One woman recently summed up what mattered to her about Healing Circle group as she waited for her cab after group. As closely as I can remember, she said: “ I like this group because it is for women who have or are now going through abuse, distress or trauma situations. It is somewhere to express myself, get reassurance and also get some spiritual reassurance and guidance. I like how all the women can relate to each other and I also like how I can bring my daughter here.”

It has been a rewarding privilege to facilitate this group and watch women connecting, expressing themselves in this safe environment and growing stronger right in front of our eyes! It makes such a difference to a woman in crisis to have so many of the resources she needs located in one, welcoming, easy-to-access location.

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There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And there is only one of you in all time. This expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium ... and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how it compares with others’ expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly ... to keep the channel open.” —Martha Graham

The Healing Circle group exists to honor this vitality and sacred life force energy in all of us.

Submitted by Healing Circle Group Facilitator,Ann Harrington

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Self-Sufficiency ProgramFunded by the Avon Foundation, the Self-Sufficiency Program completed its second year in 2012. The program saw a lot of growth this year and also organized many community connection tours and trainings. The Self-Sufficiency program directly served 407 clients.

The focus is on supporting women after the crisis by providing long-term direct advocacy and referral assistance for needs that will help our clients achieve lasting autonomy and freedom from violence. The coordinator assists on eviction prevention, housing search, employment preparedness, application/advocacy job preparedness and search, GED literacy/adult education program, help with other educational opportunities including scholarships, public benefits applications, one-on-one and group support services, and staff education.

In addition the coordinator arranged the following for staff: tours of the AICHO, Loaves and Fishes, Life House, PAVSA, Woodland Hills Academy, Salvation Army, Community Action, Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, The Damiano Center and CHUM; and organized panels on education, substance abuse, housing laws and local affordable housing.

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198

54

40

78

1960+

50

Affordable housing help(52 reported obtaining housing)

Obtained government/financial assistance

Accessed the GED program with 157 attendances

Job training/education/employment

Community resources given

Assisted women to apply for a housing preference they are entitled to because they are victims of domestic violence

NEW IN 2012 is the interconnectedness between the Self-Sufficiency and Pathways programs. Because of the success and continued interest in Pathways we have expanded the program to serve more women by utilizing staff members at both the Shelter and Resource Center. The Follow-Up Advocate and Self-Sufficiency Coordinator have each worked to establish individual caseloads with the same anticipated outcomes: that each participant will reach the goals they set for themselves. These programs working in tandem are a natural fit, as many of the women set goals in the Pathways program that can be supported through the work of the Self-Sufficiency Coordinator such as securing affordable housing, obtaining public benefits or employment, participating in the GED program, and many more.

Clients received thefollowing assistance:

Jill’s StoryJill first came in contact with the Self-Sufficiency Program after being referred to the Resource Center. She first began attending Empowerment Circle and after her initial group session, she became interested in receiving direct advocacy through the Self Sufficiency Coordinator.

Jill began meeting weekly. She was experiencing extreme emotional abuse from her husband of over 30 years. They were in the same household and he would often confine her and make her feel like she shouldn’t leave the house or answer the phone. He would use guns recreationally to intimidate Jill. Jill also had health issues that would often complicate her ability to get around. The last straw was when Jill’s husband began using her pain killers, which left her in a lot of physical pain.

Jill learned how to block him from receiving information about her doctor’s appointments and prescriptions. We completed a safety plan and she continued to gain inspiration through attending support groups and the Empowerment Circle. Jill also worked with the coordinator on a housing and relocation plan. She was able to secure safe and affordable housing and received a Safe at Home address (address confidentiality program through the secretary of state). The Self-Sufficiency Program assisted with some moving costs.

In December a holiday card came and it read, “Thank you so much for your counsel and help. Thank you to you and Safe Haven for the moving assistance. All is so much appreciated. It is so reassuring to know there are places and people like yourself in this world. Your kindness and generosity will always be tremendously valued by me.”

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In 2012 there were 668 instances of childcare at the Resource Center compared to 450 the previous year. Over the course of the year the program was maintained by two AmeriCorps positions, and then evolved into an internship/work-study position September 2012 to meet the growing need of the program. The Children’s Outreach Coordinator is responsible for providing direct services, recruiting and scheduling volunteers, performing data tracking activities, and managing donations and the playroom area. In addition, a manual and activity book was created to help aid the program as coordinators continue to change.

Cindy and her three children—Sarah, Michael, and Patrick—came into the shelter fleeing an abusive relationship. When the family entered the shelter they kept to themselves and were very private about their family life.

Advocates worked with the mom and children on a daily basis to enroll them in school and a Head Start program. Advocates also gave them basic supplies and set up safe transportation to and from school. Once Sarah and Michael were comfortable in their new schools, the advocates had them sign up for after school tutoring. In the tutoring program the children had a chance to meet other kids in the shelter, which helped them not be so shy and allowed them to be themselves. This led them to make friends with the other children and open up to staff members.

As the children felt more comfortable at Safe Haven, they began participating more in the children’s program. Sarah and Michael came down every day after school for tutoring and took part in various community outings. One of their favorite community outings was hiking through Chester Creek. Patrick, since he was younger, participated in activities that were more tailored toward his age group, including music and art. Patrick really appeared to enjoy music time, since he sang all of the songs daily at lunchtime.

Through their stay at Safe Haven Shelter, Sarah, Michael and Patrick learned how to trust others, make new friends, and be themselves. They also helped their mom to make new friends and trust in others again through their examples.

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One Family’s Story

Child Care ServicesThe Resource Center offers child care services to aid clients to effectively attend appointments, engage with staff and partners, attend court hearings, and meet with referrals. We continue to see the importance of having a children’s program on site.

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VolunteersIn 2012 we had a total of 188 volunteers serving with us. These volunteers donated a total of 7,457 total hours. This means on average each volunteer was with us for a total of 40 hours. These volunteers make it possible for us to serve more women and children in the most effective way possible.

Of the 7,457 total hours served by volunteers in 2012, 32% of those hours were served at the Resource Center. The majority of hours served by volunteers came from our internship program, which consisted of 43% of our total hours. We have interns in our Women’s Advocacy, Children’s Advocacy and Legal Advocacy programs.

One of the most vital volunteer opportunities that we have available is our On-Call Advocacy Program. Domestic arrests occur at all hours of the day and night, often when our regular Legal Advocacy Program at the Resource Center is closed, and Safe Haven is notified by the arresting officer immediately after they occur. On-Call Advocates give up one weekend a month to be available around the clock to follow up with every victim following domestic violence arrests. They meet with the victim whether it is in their home, at the hospital or at the shelter to tell them about the services that Safe Haven provides.

Amy Blakeslee, a busy medical student who has been an On-Call for over a year, describes her experience:

“As a weekend On-Call Advocate I respond to incidents of domestic violence by contacting and meeting with the victim as soon as possible to help with the critical decisions and emotional processing that goes on within the day of the incident. I provide information about Safe Haven and the services that the Resource Center offers as well as provide the victim with tools such as a 911 phone.

I am regularly surprised by the way victims welcome me into their world as a friend and instantly consider me to be a safe place. The conversations that I get to be a part of are incredibly impacting as most of these incidents are life-changing events in which the victim must make serious changes in order to move forward.

It is beyond the capacity of words to express how incredible it is to be a part of a conversation in which a victim is initially stuck with a battered, broken, and defeated perspective but then finds the courage to consider a different outcome, a potential change and a better life. It is amazing to me that the simple act of kindness and genuine concern allows me to be a part of these conversations.

I love that Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center offers such practical and tangible services because most of the victims that I meet are overwhelmed and have nowhere to turn for help. I love having a role in which I get to encourage and empower people in the most fragile and hopeless places—despite the heaviness of domestic violence, there really is an opportunity for hope and change that significantly counteracts that weight.”

We wouldn’t be able to serve the women and children that we do without the help of our dedicated volunteers, especially those special On-Call Advocates who are able to dedicate their time to a complete stranger’s healing process.

Amy Blakeslee

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A

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A Advocates rally at the capitol to end domestic violence on “Action Day”

B Safe Haven Advocates with donated backpacks and supplies at the beginning of the school year

Origami Bird19

Fold top wing upwards.

Flip over and fold second wing to match.

Lastly, fold beak at downward angle.

How to fold anorigami bird.

Begin by folding a square piece of paper in half.

Next, fold the top of the triangle downward.

Fold topmosttriangle upward.

Now, rotate 90 degrees clockwise and fold in half.

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