Programs and Services
Twelve full-time and six part-time staff members represent the linguistic and cultural diversity of the communities we serve. Together, with the support and collaborative efforts of several community partners, HarborCOV offers a comprehensive array of programs and services, including:
Hotline
Women in crisis can contact our trained staff at the HarborCOV hotline (617-884-9909) or the SAFELINK statewide hotline (1-877-785-2020). Both hotlines are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Staff members answer questions about violence, help callers create safety plans, offer access to emergency shelter, make referrals to other programs or provide information on how to find housing, economic, legal, health or emotional services.
return to top
Emergency Housing
For battered individuals and their families, our emergency housing can be the first step in the transition from violence to long-term housing and a new life. Since longer-term two- to three-month battered women's programs are virtually always full, HarborCOV's Emergency Housing is temporary respite from violence. Our Emergency Housing accommodates up to 14 individuals (adults and children) in a confidential location, where they can stay for up to 14 days. While at our Emergency Housing, each woman works with her advocate daily, develops goals and takes the appropriate steps to accomplish them.
return to top
Children's Services
Working closely with MGH-Chelsea Healthcare Center therapists and social workers, HarborCOV helps children receive the comprehensive services they need to recover from what they have seen and experienced in abusive homes. Children who have witnessed violence participate in activities, age-appropriate group and one-on-one sessions, and art therapy in a safe and child-friendly environment.
return to top
Youth Program
Through the Peer Leadership Program and Teen Dating Violence support groups, teens learn about the values that perpetuate violence and their alternatives, the warning signs of an abusive relationship and how to remove themselves from the cycle of violence. Designed to end domestic violence by empowering young people with information about dating violence, Peer Leaders begin to integrate social consciousness into their lives as they earn wages and develop strong work skills. Through their community organizing projects these young civic leaders raise awareness about domestic violence as they work to change attitudes and impact policy to end gender violence.
return to top
Legal Advocacy
HarborCOV's Legal Advocate helps women through the complex processes of filing restraining orders, safely seeking divorce or financial compensation for their abuse, prosecuting abusers, and dealing with immigration and the many other legal issues that confront women escaping violence. Approximately 70% of women seeking restraining orders in the East Boston and Chelsea district courts are Spanish-speaking. Having someone to consult with and to accompany them to court, particularly when the batterer is present, makes the obstacles less daunting.
return to top
Economic Development
This comprehensive program addresses the interconnectivity of domestic violence and poverty, helping move low-income women from financial distress to self-sufficiency. Women learn financial planning, money management and how to access educational, career and self-employment opportunities.
return to top
Individual Advocacy and Support Groups
One-on-one advocacy and groups provide a forum for women who live in the local area to exchange support and advice among peers without blame or judgment. Advocates facilitate discussions about self-esteem, mental health issues, parenting, addiction, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse recovery in English, Spanish and Khmer, helping women address their issues in the context of the their own languages and cultures. We also provide group and individual support designed to meet the needs of elder women affected by domestic violence. Volunteers and staff members provide free childcare during groups so parents can fully participate.
return to top
Community Outreach and Education
HarborCOV leads and participates in community collaborations that bring issues of domestic violence into public consciousness, such as interagency domestic violence task forces in Chelsea and Revere and Men Against Domestic Violence. HarborCOV staff provides trainings for staff and volunteers at agencies whose clients are affected by family violence.
return to top
Community Housing Initiative
HarborCOV's newest program will create 50 units of multisite permanent housing with transitional supports designed to move families out of the crisis of domestic violence into safety and stability. Through the CHI continuum, individuals and families receive support to improve their health, education and employment, and to help them set down solid roots in the community.
return to top
Multilingual support
We speak and provide materials in English, Spanish, Khmer, Creole, Portuguese, Italian and American Sign Language.
return to top
|
