Domestic violence is on the news nearly every night: another pregnant woman killed by her spouse, another stalker who didn’t get stopped in time, another group of children facing foster homes. Abusers rarely stop on their own.
So where do the abused go when they are ready to escape their dangerous lives? One option is Community Welcome House, an emergency and transitional shelter for women and families fleeing violent homes. Because CWH is not a state-run facility, they can offer a different environment and can offer each recovering victim the customized support she needs. Some residents remain only a night or two; some remain much longer. Each resident is helped to create a “plan” for their next stage of life which may include educational, employment and housing goals. Counseling is offered to both on-site residents and off-site program participants.
“The goal,” explains facility director Linda Kirkpatrick, “is to transition these families from societal takers who require governmental assistance to societal givers who can support themselves and their families and who can contribute in meaningful ways to their communities.”
Residents are expected to comply with house rules that are created to help move families forward and, most importantly, to keep residents and staff safe. Cell phones are not used within the facility because the signals can be (and have been) tracked by abusers. The facility’s location remains undisclosed to the public for the same reason.
There are many prevalent misconceptions about domestic violence. It is everywhere and, contrary to what we would like to believe, it transcends income, class and race. It happens in “good” parts of town and “bad.” CWH certainly offers assistance to the unemployed, the welfare-dependant and even women with prior felony convictions. In addition, they assist emancipated minors who have aged out of the foster care system. They also see a startling number of professional women: lawyers, accountants and even doctors.
Linda elaborates: “People look at a woman who is being abused and they wonder why she doesn’t ‘just leave’. They think she must be stupid or bad. They don’t understand what a deep hold an abuser has over his (or her) victim. And most abusers don’t let go easily. ‘Just leaving’ is a major undertaking.”
It can be done, though. It takes courage, fortitude and a place to go. CWH is there to help. A former resident who prefers to remain nameless for security reasons says:
“Community Welcome House gave me strength and dignity. Also, they remained in my life after I left to check on me and my child. They have provided groceries, clothing, birthday presents and even our Christmas meal and presents. The staff loves very deeply and shows great compassion.”
Community Welcome House also wants to remind people that domestic violence against men does happen and is on the rise. While they do not have the ability to serve men as residential participants, male victims are offered the same support as women in terms of counseling, legal advice and escorts to court appointments. All program participants are offered continued support after they leave the facility. CWH is involved for as long as the former victim needs them to be.
CWH is supported exclusively by grants and private donations. Fundraisers such as the annual ‘Coweta’s Dancing Stars’ and events held by organizations like the Business Women of Fayette and Coweta provide much-needed funding. CWH also recently became the first non-profit of its kind to receive grants for going green. The parent charity runs a donations-only thrift store where program participants can shop for free. It is open to the general public as well and proceeds go directly to CWH.
Despite these funding options, Linda confides that every month is tough money-wise. Last year CWH was “in the black” for only four of the twelve calendar months.
Asked about the ultimate goal of CWH, Linda says she hopes and prays to eventually go out of business, not due to lack of funding, but due to lack of need.
For more information visit Community Welcome House on the web. Offers of assistance can be emailed to communitywelcomehouse@numail.org.
Author’s note: while Community Welcome House is actually located in Coweta County, they provide services to and draw substantial support from surrounding counties including Fayette.
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