Our non- residential program has been able to build a good relationship with a mother who had domestic violence issues. This person had worked with us in the past and felt comfortable enough to reach out to our Supervising Case Manager (SCM) to discuss her current needs for her family. Although she had moved on from her abusive relationship, she was struggling to make ends meet for her and her children’s immediate needs. Our staff was able to provide her with some of her immediate needs including diapers, bottles and clothing. The SCM was able to meet with her and this was an opportunity to discuss her current relationship, which the client self-described as a healthy non-abusive relationship. The SCM was also able to provide the client with other resources for longer term assistance and to refer her back to our services for any domestic violence issues if they were to arise.
We know that domestic violence situations can be complex, often resulting in a client seeking assistance more than once. These examples also show the need for follow up and supportive services as leaving a domestic violence relationship often negatively impacts a persons’ overall income and resources. United Way of Southern Chautauqua County is a great community partner and funding source for our Domestic Violence shelter and services program. Annually they collect baby shower items to be distributed to many local agencies that work with mothers in need and they invest $42,000 in our domestic violence services. We know that with key community partnerships like United Way and by developing good working client/staff relationships, we can give clients the support they need through-out their journey of recovery.
"Empowering those impacted by domestic and sexual violence."
UWAYSCC 100 Years, 100 Stories blog submission by Diana Butcher, Executive Director of the Salvation Army ANEW Center. The goal of the Anew Center is to promote the health and well being of the people in Chautauqua County by ensuring the availability of quality, comprehensive crisis intervention services to all victims of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. The center is committed to assisting victims and their families by providing shelter, assisting with obtaining orders of protection, offering medical and legal advocacy, facilitating support groups, offering training and education, case management, crisis intervention, and family support services, all of which can be accessed through the center's 24-hour crisis hotline. 1-800-252-8748
