By:
Submission
This place is a bit of a joke. They give protection and support to people who commit actual physical ask of domestic violence and ignore the actual victims of it.
NO OFFENSE TO THE CITIES SIZE BUT IF U WANT TO STAY ALIVE, BE PREPARED TO PACK UR NECESSITIES N LEAVE THE STATE OR GO TO BIG CITY. LAWS DONT REALY PROTECT U HERE. ORDERS OF PROTECTION I WAS TOLD CAN TAKE A COUPLE DAYS TO A COUPLE WEEKS. RESTRAINTING ORDER I WAS TOLD IS NOT LIKELY TO BE GOTTEN. U ARE AT THE MERCY OF THEIR STAFF N LEGAL ADVOCATE. GO ELSEWHERE. UR NOT LIKELY TO GET ANY PEACE AT THE SHELTER EITHER. STUFF GETS ROBBED N SOME VICTIMS ACT LIKE UR THEIR ATTACKER. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE BEING REVICTIMIZED BY OTHERS THERE AND THEN STAFF.
If you're a domestic victim seeking help do not bother even calling. I regretting my decision immediately. It took me days to muster up the strength to call for help only to be talked down to very rudely. She said she would determine whether if I was in imminent danger almost like she assumed I was a liar without me speaking. I was told none of that even mattered because there was no room anyways. I immediately regretted my decision and wondering if I made a mistake in calling at all.
I do not recommend for anyone to come here. I was here about 3 years ago, I was 2 weeks postpartum and had been at another shelter for exactly 5 days when a girl comes in carrying a list of domestic violence shelters, the one I was currently in did not offer transportation felt like a jail, the girl tells me her niece had been there and they have a housing program for struggling mother's, I called them and asked for a transfer due to what I just heard seem like the best decision for my newborn and I.. to this day I regret this
Maybe things have changed. I was a new mom. Knew nothing. I was figuring it out day by day. I was constantly harassed and verbally abused by Mrs. Peggy and Mrs. Nastasha or Sasha. Mrs. Becky would scold me for not having my 2 month old newborn on a schedule already, did not offer any help as to how. They would never tell you if you were doing things right or wrong. They assumed I had post partum depression but would never point it out until I wouldn't let anyone hold my daughter. I would watch and see Mrs. Peggy constantly threatened other moms to have their kids taken away if those girls didn't do things to her liking. She made sure to make the victims feel inferior to her by constantly belittling opinions and telling others she had favorites. The new director that was taking over her Mrs. Natasha would take your children threatened to call DCF because I quote ' she herself worked for them". The driver always made sure to show with her facial expressions that she did not want to be there and you sure as heck would know it. They had a therapist come in a couple of times and she would sit there and talk about her life and daughter the whole session. Wouldn't let you get a word out, she would talk about her upcoming deployment in the army, hers daughter whole entire life. As soon as you were done with the session if you managed to get a word in she would go straight to the office and discuss everything with the directors and attending staff. I don't recommend this place at all for any battered women. This place will not bring you peace while you recover from your abusers abuse. I hope things have changed now. Women need empowerment not belittlement.
Had to stay here for about 4 days - the case manager was very friendly and understanding about the situation I was in. The clothing room is well stocked with just about anything you could need in this regard to clothes. There is a lot of basic hygiene supplies as well. If you come in here alone without children, the rooms are rather spacious. The bed size is a twin size long if I remember right. One of my few complaints though is the overall food quality. It reminded me of being in college with the kind of quality food (and variety of drinks) there are. It really makes me feel bad for the women who don't have transportation who can't pick up a snack or get food for themselves outside of the shelter. There's a daily chore list that has to be done but the supplies they let you use to do the chores really just aren't good quality - the broom (at least when I was there) was barely holding together so you couldn't really sweep stuff. I STRONLY recommend wiping down ALL the counter tops (counters, tables, etc.) when it's your turn just to help keep germs and general grime at a bare minimum.
