By Demethra Orion | Project Leader
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:
106 clients served and 129 counseling hours
181 clients served and 151 counseling hours
378 clients served and 288 counseling hours
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.
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