898 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Domestic Violence Shelter Program
YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Since 1868, YWCA has been a keystone for positive change in the lives of thousands. Forced to flee their homes due to life-threating abuse, YWCA provides survivors of domestic violence and their children with immediate access to specialized shelter through The Domestic Violence Shelter Program (DVSP). The program provides the critical services necessary to not only help families escape abuse, but live a fulfilling life beyond domestic violence. Through DVSP, survivors are empowered to rebuild their lives and achieve a healthy and stable living environment for themselves and their children. The Dater Foundation’s $25,000 grant supported shelter staff salaries. Due directly to the work of staff, survivors were able to reach self-sufficiency and provide a positive environment for their children to grow and thrive. In 2019, 68% of households exited shelter to permanent housing and 62% of households exited with maintained/increased income. For individuals with extensive trauma, these are considered major achievements.
A YWCA Client Story …
Mrs. P entered shelter with three children ages 13, 7 and 1. She met her husband in a refugee camp and the two had been married for 15 years. They had been in Cincinnati for the last 5 years. Mrs. P told DVS advocates that the verbal abuse began at the start of their relationship, but she hoped it was due to the pressure of the refugee camp. She thought that coming to the United States would make everything better, but it did not. When Mrs. P called the DVS hotline, she told advocates that her husband’s abuse had been escalating and she could not live with him, or keep her children with him, any longer. As a refugee, Mrs. P had limited supports and nowhere else to go. The DVS advocate was able to work with her to create a safety plan that included accessing DVS. Once in shelter, Mrs. P received trauma-informed, supportive services for herself and her children. As a refugee and survivor of domestic violence, Mrs. P experienced serious trauma symptoms. DVS advocates supported her 24-7 in coping with her trauma symptoms, often utilizing interpretation services because Mrs. P had limited English proficiency. Her Intervention Coordinator worked with her to secure benefits, get connected with community resources, and ultimately obtain housing through a Rapid Re-Housing program. Her children worked with the Children’s Program Coordinator to secure transportation to their school, maintain school attendance, and participate in trauma-informed supportive children’s and youth activities in shelter. To protect her family, Mrs. P secured an order of protection against her husband. Entering DVS with no income, Mrs. P was excited to obtain employment and hopeful about what the future holds for her family.
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