Justice and Human Rights United States Project #47093

Help victims flee domestic violence & restore hope

by Fresh Spirit Wellness for Women Inc.

Help victims flee domestic violence & restore hope

Project Report | Jan 5, 2021
Shelter and Assistance for Those Effected by Domestic Violence During the Holidays

By Demethra Orion | Project Leader

Santa's gifts to children in shelters

Thanks to your donations, and funding from our local county, Fresh Spirit Wellness for Women was able to assist:

83 clients with emergency financial assistance for food, rent, mortgage, clothing, and other basic needs.
4 women and their children flee their batterer by giving them 61 nights of safe sleep and food by supplying temporary shelter in a hotel until a shelter could be secured.
50 families with 80+ children Christmas gifts. The distributions occurred throughout the month of December.
Approximately 300 monthly counseling hours serving +/-50 clients. Providing emotional support.

Your generosity will not only provide survivors with supportive services, through counseling, therapy, case work, legal advocacy, and assist survivors through the criminal and civil justice system. As well as a network of support for victims to further their growth when they no longer need emergency shelter and ensure success in this journey to become survivors and truly self-sufficient so they may support themselves and their families as they live a life in peace and safety.

We could not do this without your support. Unfortunately the only pictures you usually see are victims when violent acts have taken their life. Due to the sensitive nature of our services client photos are confidential. Survivors may have abusers with wealth and long reach. Please enjoy photos from our toy drive and know that your contributions are invaluable.

Volunteers at Annual Toy Drive

Volunteers checking toys off list when purchased

You're never too young to give back

Survivor's children receiving Christmas gifts

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Sep 14, 2020
Helping Those Affected by Domestic Violence

By Demethra Orion | Project Leader

Depiction of Victim

Fresh Spirit Wellness for Women, Inc.

Addressing the Needs of Those Affected by Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Domestic violence affects all walks of life and if a woman does not need a shelter, she is less likely to know she can receive assistance such as counseling, legal or financial services to leave her batterer. Unfortunately, most people do not know that these services exist outside of a shelter.

Since COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders took effect, domestic violence in the Houston area has INCREASED by 35%, requests for protective orders tripled, and shelters have changed intake policies due to social distancing restrictions.

As a result Fresh Spirit collaborated with another organization that developed a survey to ask specific questions that identified patterns of behavior from victims and survivors of domestic violence. An overwhelming response were men. Your donations provided us with the means to add a male counselor for the first time to our team in order to lead a male only support group.

Fresh Spirit bridges the gap between violence and freedom for domestic violence victims and survivors by offering counseling, supportive services, and overnight accommodations and supplies when needed. Fresh Spirit has pivoted from face-to-face services to virtual services allowing victims and survivors to continue to receive help at a time when most shelters have stopped. With your help, we will continue to provide the many services victims and survivors need to heal.

Our state of services:

1st quarter Oct - Dec 2019

106 clients served and 129 counseling hours

2nd quarter Jan - Mar 2020

181 clients served and 151 counseling hours

3rd quarter Apr - June 2020

378 clients served and 288 counseling hours

4th quarter July - Sept 2020 - TBD

Counseling hours include; safety plans, legal advocacy, case management, protective orders, support groups, crime victims compensation

*Not included in the time listed above and financial support given; temporary shelter, appeals, groceries, babysitting, transportation, doctor visits, and psychiatric services

Your generosity has provided survivors with supportive services, through counseling, therapy, case work, legal advocacy, and assisted survivors through the criminal and civil justice system. As well as a network of support for victims to further their growth when they no longer need emergency shelter and ensure success in this journey to become survivors and truly self-sufficient so they may support themselves and their families as they live a life in peace and safety.

For example, when it was predicted that Hurricane Laura would hit Houston a Fresh Spirit staff member purchased groceries and took to numerous survivors.

Another survivor went into labor and had a small toddler with no family or friends. Fresh Spirit arranged and sat with the toddler and another staff member was by her side during and after labor.

Fresh Spirit is a good steward of its funds. We spend .85 to .87 of every $1 on client service. Your support has helped us continue onto our 23rd year of turning hurt into healing.

Again, thank you for your generous support.

Supporters from Family and Friends Fun Walk

Our Cinderellas - Survivors at their best

Help is a phone call away

WE DID IT! - Survivors

Links:

Click here for more information

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