Safe Havens
Program Summary
Women Against Abuse’s two 24-hour emergency safe havens provide free services to survivors of all gender identities and their children who are victims of domestic violence. Services include:
- Up to 90 days of shelter
- Case management
- Individual and group counseling
- Three meals a day
- Children’s health assessments
- Emergency relocation funds (as available)
- Adult education and job readiness referrals
- After school and summer school programs
- On-site child care
If you need emergency housing because of a domestic violence situation, please call the 24/7 Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline (1-866-723-3014).
Program Detail
Safe haven resources: Women Against Abuse’s safe havens provide residents with three meals a day and donated goods as needed. Facilities include an outdoor playground; a computer lab; an art therapy room; a laundry facility; a professionally staffed kitchen; a cafeteria; and a community room where client meetings are held. The safe havens also have 24-hour security staff. The locations of the safe havens are kept confidential to maintain client safety.
Case management services: Case managers provide housing, financial and employment counseling to help residents plan for long-term safe housing upon exit from shelter. Case managers also work with residents to develop a comprehensive safety plan that fits their unique situations. Children and their parents meet with children’s case managers to address issues pertaining to safety, education, health, social support, and behavioral and developmental well-being. Children’s case managers ensure minimal disruption to schooling, particularly if a child needs to relocate to a new school for safety reasons.
Based on years of experience serving survivors of domestic violence, Women Against Abuse developed a unique trauma-informed case management model that is the first to address the intersection of homelessness and domestic violence. We expect this approach to result in greater outcomes for clients, such as preventing chronic homelessness, improving ability to manage trauma symptoms, and reducing return to shelter.
Download our Case Management Manual
Children’s education services: During the work week, Women Against Abuse staff operate a trauma-informed Early Learning Center for pre-school children and an After-School Program for school-aged children. Children in these programs receive support in a nurturing environment to promote healing from trauma and school readiness. During the summer months, Women Against Abuse holds its annual Young Survivors Summer Camp, which includes fun activities such as swimming and field trips to sites the children have never been to before. Many of the children are withdrawn or hyperactive upon arrival at the shelter, but they begin to open up and thrive in the safe and caring environment that staff create.
Behavioral health services: Women Against Abuse provides behavioral health services to help equip survivors with an understanding of trauma and healthy strategies to cope with stress, anxiety and depression. Women Against Abuse behavioral therapists work with residents through group, individual and family sessions, and they consult with case managers and shelter staff to provide trauma-informed solutions to obstacles that may arise. As a result, residents learn to cope with adversity in positive ways, improve well-being, and minimize disruptions to daily functioning
