Su Casa - Ending Domestic Violence

TO PROVIDE SHELTER, FOOD AND HEALING SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. THIS IS DONE THROUGH 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE, EMERGENCY SHELTER, TRANSITIONAL SHELTER, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, AND WALK-IN SERVICES. OUR PRIMARY AIM IS TO PROTECT FAMILIES FROM IMMEDIATE DANGER STEMMING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THE EMERGENCY SHELTER IS A 22-BED, HOMELIKE FACILITY IN A CONFIDENTIAL LOCATION IN WHICH VICTIMS AND THEIR CHILDREN CAN LIVE FOR UP TO 45 DAYS, WHILE RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ADVOCACY AND LIFE SKILL CLASSES. IT IS A SAFE REFUGE FOR VICTIMS AND CHILDREN IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF A VIOLENT EPISODE. 6-8 FAMILIES LIVE AT SU CASA'S SHELTER AND ALL THEIR NEEDS ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST WHILE THEY BEGIN THE HEALING PROCESS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, AN ESTIMATED 1,848 HOTLINE CALLS WERE ANSWERED.

HOUSING SERVICES OFFERED AT SU CASA'S SHELTERS ALLOW CLIENTS TO ACCESS STABLE HOUSING FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS THROUGH A PROCESS THAT INCLUDES A) DETERMINING HOUSING NEEDS AND PREFERENCES; B) IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE AND SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS; C) COMPLETING SCREENING FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; D) COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS; AND E) MOVING INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. THE HOUSING STAFF SUPPORT THE CLIENT AT EACH STAGE OF THE PROCESS, FROM ASSESSING THE CLIENT'S NEEDS AND RESOURCES TO ACCOMPANYING THEM TO HOUSING APPOINTMENTS, AND ACTING AS A LIAISON WITH LANDLORDS TO NEGOTIATE LEASES AND ADDRESS EMERGING BARRIERS.

THE WALK-IN BUSINESS CENTER IS OPEN DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS AND OFFERS GENERAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES. THIS IS SU CASA'S ONLY PUBLIC ADDRESS AND THOUGH MOST INQUIRIES AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE COME THROUGH THE HOTLINE, IN THE COURSE OF A YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 155 INDIVIDUALS WALK IN TO THE CENTER SEEKING HELP. SU CASA'S CONTINUUM OF CARE BEGINS WITH PREVENTION AND CONTINUES TO THE FINAL STEPS OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. OUR COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM PROMOTES THE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE WALK-IN RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS INFORMATION AND REFERRALS, SAFETY PLANNING AND SAFE-AT-HOME APPLICATION ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY IN NEED OF SHELTER.

THE TRANSITIONAL SHELTER, A 24-BED FACILITY, IS THE NEXT STEP WHERE FAMILIES STAY FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS WHILE THEY BECOME INCREASINGLY SECURE, STABLE, AND INDEPENDENT. COUNSELING, LIFE SKILLS, PARENTING CLASSES, CASE MANAGEMENT, HOUSEHOLD ESTABLISHMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND BUDGETING AND JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE IS OFFERED TO SHELTER RESIDENTS. CHILDREN ENROLL IN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND ADULTS WORK AND/OR ATTEND SCHOOL AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE SUCH AS COUNSELING, TUTORING, BUDGETING, AND EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION. A REVITALIZED CHILDREN AND TEENS PROGRAM HAS BEEN INCORPORATED AT BOTH SHELTERS FOR AGE-APPROPRIATE COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.