Stability

Walking into shelter for the first time can be a very scary experience.

Although every survivor’s journey after fleeing abuse is unique, our shelter services are designed around three phases of shelter life — Welcoming, Healing, and Launching. This is part three of a 3-part blog series that explores common activities during each phase.   

Launching 

When a survivor begins preparations to leave the shelter, they continue to work with their Healing Advocate and also choose another advocate to help during the Launching phase. 

Housing 

Although each survivor needs different types of housing support, most receive temporary rental and utility assistance. 

Some survivors transition to apartments in their home county or near supportive family and friends, while others move to apartments in the ZeroV Homes Lexington. Twelve of these units are scattered near downtown Lexington, with easy access to public transportation, and twelve cottage-style duplexes are nestled on the backside of the emergency shelter’s property.  

Breaking Down Fears 

A large part of the Launching phase is to work on emotional support. For a lot of survivors, this is the first time they’ve lived on their own in a long time.  

Advocates will work through fears and safety plan for survivors. If the survivor has children, our Youth Advocate will help safety plan with the kids. 

What’s Next? 

While a survivor is still at shelter, Launching Advocates will connect them with an Outreach Advocate in the community where they will be living. Staff members live and work in all 17 counties of our service area. 

Outreach Advocates continue supporting survivors after they transition out of shelter.  

Survivors deserve to be supported in their home community.

Although our emergency shelter is located in Lexington, staff of our organization live and work in all 17 counties of our service area – Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Nicholas, Powell, Scott, and Woodford.   

Harrison & Nicholas Counties  

Anne Hodge is the advocate for survivors in Nicholas or Harrison Counties. Although each day is different, Anne dedicates much of her time to providing support for survivors before, during, and after family court hearings. 

What is a typical week for Anne?   

• Anne provides legal advocacy during domestic violence court hearings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  
• She also facilitates a weekly online support group about protective orders and legal basics, and connects survivors to other support groups offered by our organization. 
• Another important activity is partnering with local organizations to make referrals for food, clothing, and other needs that survivors might experience. 

“People may need food or help with their electric bill or gas money. I refer them to agencies for financial assistance like Community Action or the Ministerial Association,” Anne explains. “Community partners are very valuable to our program and I keep in close contact with them.”

Legal Justice Matters  

Anne also coordinates the L-JUST project, a grant-funded legal justice effort to create an informed and supportive network of legal professionals across the central Kentucky region. One way Anne accomplishes this goal is through partnerships with attorneys who agree to provide no-fee services and representation for survivors navigating complex legal situations.

The L-JUST project is supported by subgrant number VAWA-2021-GreenHou-00029 subawarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Starting over after abuse takes time. 

Survivors often leave behind more than a home. Many begin again without furniture, clothing, and a vehicle. Sometimes the abuser has maintained power and control by not allowing a survivor to work or sabotaging their employment. Housing advocates help with these challenges.

“I have no family support and had nowhere to go,” shares a survivor who asked to remain anonymous. “I couldn’t afford daycare to work full-time and provide as a single mom.” 

While beginning to heal from the physical and emotional wounds of abuse, survivors meet with housing advocates to create an individualized housing plan. Early conversations imagine possibilities and identify barriers. 

Legal advocacy, credit repair, benefit applications, and budgeting assistance begin to chip away the obstacles. Partnering organizations provide job search, childcare, and other resources to help make the transition possible. Although each survivor needs different types of housing support, most receive temporary rental and utility assistance. 

Some survivors transition to apartments in their home county or near supportive family and friends, while others move to apartments in KCADV Homes Lexington. Twelve of these units are scattered near downtown Lexington, with easy access to public transportation, and twelve cottage-style duplexes are nestled on the backside of the emergency shelter’s property. 

Our housing team partners with dozens of organizations, companies, and landlords to support survivors during the transition to safe, affordable housing. Jubilee Jobs of Lexington offers job search services; Habitat for Humanity ReStore provides vouchers for furniture purchases; and Wildcat Moving, 2 Dudes Moving, and College HUNKS Moving offer services at no cost or reduced fees. 

“I always felt supported while in the program, and my abuser never knew where to find me. I can feel safe and my children can, too.”