Refuge for Women operates the Emergency Housing program providing shelter, developing, and rebuilding support networks, and promoting self-sufficiency for women in need of a safe environment.
The Emergency Housing program of Refuge for Women was established to provide emergency, non-conditional, temporary shelter to women who are either survivors, or at risk, of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, dealing with substance use, and involved in prostitution, thru access to multi-sector services. As the words emergency and non-conditional indicate, the housing program offers free (Medicaid is billed for those who are enrolled), safe housing for adult women.
The goal of the emergency housing program is to work together with female survivors to:
- Ensure their safety and security.
- Provide tailored, individualized services.
- Empower them to support one another and themselves.
- Develop service plans with them to establish or rebuild their support networks and support their reintegration into the community
After admission to the Emergency Housing program, the survivor goes through an intake phase during which she is welcomed and made familiar with the program’s philosophy, objectives, and services. Survivors in the emergency housing program are offered many different forms of support during their 30 to 90 day stay, including:
- Immediate basic assistance: Including food, clothing, and hygiene items.
- Security: The Emergency Housing program has established security measures, including cameras, locked entry’s, alarm system, and established direct communication with law enforcement to ensure protection in the event of a security incident.
- Medical care: Including a nurse to provide medical services and triage other important medical needs.
- Psychosocial and Therapeutic Support: Individual therapy is offered to support survivors to develop their capacities to understand their own emotions and learn how best to enter recovery. Group therapy activities, including substance use disorder treatment, art therapy, music, and life skill development are part of the psychosocial support program. All psychosocial services are provided in-house, and support is available 24/7.
- Case management: Targeted case managers provide survivors with the opportunity to express their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences and work with them to develop an individualized service plan. Such plans are designed to facilitate the survivors’ access to health services, mental health and psychosocial support, legal assistance, job placement, vocational training, social services, longer-term housing, and other services.
- Education, skills building and job placement: Different educational activities are provided such as vocational training and activities to build life skills, for example in communication skills, stress and anger management, resource allocation and budgeting. They are also encouraged to participate in targeted psychosocial support activities (yoga, community service, etc..).
- Recreation: Weekly activities are offered.
How we are structured:
Safety
Refuge for Women provides emergency housing. The location of the emergency house is unpublished, providing the opportunity for our clients to be free of fear. Each client is accepted, loved, and given a pathway to a better life.
Healing
A structured program is in place for daily progress towards the clients desired goals. Clients can stay in Refuge for Women Emergency Housing program for a maximum of 90 days. Professionally licensed mental health providers, medical personnel, and loving direct service professionals assist clients each day on their path of holistic healing as they are equipped with life skills for a successful future.
Faith
Refuge for Women Emergency Housing program is a Christ-centered organization. Opportunities for spiritual growth occur each day. We welcome clients into our program regardless of their personal beliefs and all religious activities are completely voluntary.
*We are unable to serve women with children that also need housing, women in need of a medically supervised detoxification program or women who are experiencing acute mental health crises.
