In the weekly meetings, once a woman shares her feelings about violence and abuse with other women and learns that most abusers behave as her abuser does, she no longer feels alone and guilty. Child care is provided so that all women in the shelter can meet with and support one another. It is a time of great healing. While a woman is living at the house, she is also beginning to work on her own plans. If she needs economic assistance, Women's Advocates will help her apply for welfare assistance while she is still at the shelter.
Legal counseling is often necessary, if in the end, divorce is the solution.
Protection orders, exclusive occupancy of her home, custody and support remedies can be initiated, with or without the initiation of divorce proceedings. Women also can choose to begin vocational counseling while residing at the shelter. In addition to all this decision-making and stress, women face the challenge of finding affordable housing for themselves and their children. We help the women identify and secure affordable housing. Any woman who leaves a violent man and decides to stay away faces this struggle, especially if she has young children.