The Emergency Shelter Grant (ESC) Program, funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Stewart B. Mckinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1988, is administered by ADECA. The program provides approximately $1.4 million annually to local units of governments that subgrant to private non-profit 501©(3) organizations. The purpose of the grant is to provide assistance to homeless persons and victims of domestic violence. SafeHouse provides programs and services for women and their children that have been involved in domestic violence situations and was awarded an Emergency Shelter Grant. Below is the story of one of its participants.
I will identify myself as Mary. I am a mother, sister, daughter, co-worker, church member, PTA participant, and attend numerous social events in my community. I was a wife to a man who abused me for 15 years. I left my home after being threatened with a knife. I left with my two children and went to SafeHouse. The people were kind, understanding and gentle. My children and I had a room for “our family” so we could begin to think again. I never realized that my children had heard what had happened. We stayed for 16 days. I attended group meetings and talked to counselors, social workers and supportive people. I got lots of information, and found that what happened to me is called Domestic Violence. I wish I could tell you I left SafeHouse and started a new life. I know that is what I wanted, but I still believed I could change my marriage. Even though the staff did not agree with my decision to return, they offered support services, counseling and helped me to be aware that I needed to have a safety plan.
Eleven months later, I returned to SafeHouse after my husband tried to kill me. I am still in counseling working on recovery of that event in my life. My children are in counseling. My youngest son is learning that there are other options for emotions than violence. My daughter is in a therapeutic day care operated by SafeHouse. She is bitter, but the staff of professionals is helping me and her learn how to set limits and “follow through.” I feel better as a parent. More important, I feel better as a person. My divorce was finalized and my husband sentenced. I am “out” now. I received help from programs, churches, and good people through SafeHouse. My Family and I are now close again. That is all I ever wanted.