06/26/07

Overcoming the effects of domestic violence is a monumental task for survivors and their children. The role of the domestic violence shelter in assisting survivors to break away from this abuse is significant. Serene Harbor provides a safe and protective environment to support the survivors as they struggle to build a life for themselves and their children free from fear and violence.

While families participate in our shelter and outreach programs we provide the following services to them.

Hotline Services

Serene Harbor provides a 24-hour domestic violence hotline which is staffed 365 days a year by trained advocates. Information regarding injunctions for protection, safety planning, education, financial and professional services, legal aid, housing, mental health issues, medical care and children's service options are given to hotline callers.

Emergency Shelter

When a client meets Serene Harbor's admission criteria the client and their children are admitted to the shelter. While at the shelter, clients and their families are provided with basic needs and a full continuum of services.

Case Management

The Case Managers provide goal-oriented services which are intended to counteract the negative effects of domestic violence on the victim. The case managers work closely with each client, monitoring and facilitating progress toward their program goals. They also provide legal advocacy in conjunction with Legal Aid. In additions the children's advocacy staff provides supportive services intended to counteract the negative effects of domestic violence on the child victim.

Counseling

Serene Harbor provides psycho educational support groups on a weekly basis. Individual counseling sessions also are provided to clients. Topics covered in educational groups are tailored to clients' needs and include: Dynamics of domestic Violence; the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children; Substance use and Abuse Education; Life Skills, and Parenting.

Serene Harbor provides a variety of individual and group activities for children. These include providing age-appropriate educational information about domestic violence, dating violence, safety planning, conflict management, and self-esteem building. All interactions are designed to help children develop a sense of what a healthy family is.

Community Education

A very important part of Serene Harbor's program is education. Because domestic violence victims often do not identity themselves a such, it is imperative that individuals throughout the community be educated about all forms of abuse. To ensure up-to-date information is disseminated, we provide training and education sessions to a variety of professionals in our community.

Outreach

Outreach services include counseling, support groups personal advocacy, criminal/civil justice advocacy, relocation assistance and victims compensation claims assistance.