Center For Hope And Safety Inc

CENTER FOR HOPE AND SAFETY, INC.'S ("CHS") MISSION IS TO ASSIST VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INCLUDING EMOTIONAL, ECONOMIC, SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE AGENCY PROVIDES EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, AND A DIVERSIFIED CONTINUUM OF SERVICES FOCUSED ON SAFETY, EMPOWERMENT, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, CHS RAISES AWARENESS, PROVIDES SERVICES, AND EDUCATES COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

EMERGENCY SHELTER: CORE AND SUPPORT SERVICESCENTER FOR HOPE AND SAFETY, INC. OFFERS THE COMMUNITY A 24-HOUR HOTLINE FOR INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. THE EMERGENCY SHELTER PROGRAM PROVIDES SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY OFFERING FOOD AND SHELTER AND SUPPORT THROUGH INDIVIDUAL/GROUP COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, LEGAL ADVOCACY, HOUSING OPTIONS, WORK-READINESS TRAINING AND BILINGUAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM HOUSES APPROXIMATELY 100 VICTIMS FOR AN AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THREE MONTHS. SPECIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS CAREER COUNSELING, FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, AND HOUSING COUNSELING; A FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES CONTINUED CASE MANAGEMENT AND A TRUSTING LINK TO HELP FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE INTO COMMUNITIES; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LIAISONS WHO CONSULT WITH DCF FAMILIES. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING INCLUDES PROGRAMS TO ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, COLLEGES AND LOCAL AGENCIES.

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS:THE AGENCY IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGHOUT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE WORK WITH CHILDREN TO HEAL FROM THEIR ABUSE AND TO LEARN APPROPRIATE WAYS OF COMMUNICATING AND DEALING WITH CONFLICT, WHILE BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM. CHS HAS TWO PRIMARY CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. 1) THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AT THE EMERGENCY SHELTER INCLUDES PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING, INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ART THERAPY, ARRANGEMENT OF SCHOOL TRANSFERS, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, TUTORING, AND SOCIAL-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. 2) THE COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM IS PROJECT CHILD, A CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY PROGRAM WHICH STRIVES TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, HOPE, INDEPENDENCE, LOVE, AND DIRECTION. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDREN A SAFE PLACE TO EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS, TO EXPLORE NON-VIOLENT WAYS OF MANAGING PERSONAL POWER, TO BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE CHOICES, TO EXPERIENCE PERSONAL RESPECT AND TO HEAL FROM THE EFFECTS OF ABUSE. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES COUNSELING FOR THE NON-OFFENDING PARENT AND TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CHILDREN.

THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ("TH") PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE, SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR UP TO 40 INDIVIDUALS AT ANY ONE TIME WHO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESIDE IN ONE OF OUR EIGHT APARTMENTS, FOR A MAXIMUM OF 2 YEARS. ALL OF THE FIVE HOMES ARE LOCATED THROUGHOUT BERGEN COUNTY IN SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES. THE PURPOSE OF TH IS TO PROVIDE VICTIMS WITH THE TIME THEY NEED TO BUILD THEIR INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, AND TO AFFORD THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT AND SECURE PERMANENT HOUSING.