In 2006, WEAVE was in a dire situation. For every family entering our confidential emergency Safehouse, two families were being turned away due to lack of space. Furthermore, the space of the old Safehouse no longer met the needs of the families seeking safety. Shared rooms and entirely communal space did not allow families the privacy to heal together. The Board of Directors knew a change was needed to meet the current needs of victims while ensuring sufficient space for all families in need. A campaign was launched.

When the economy turned, worry was inevitable. “There were some tense days,” says WEAVE Executive Director Beth Hassett. “The need and demand for shelter was even greater but resources were stretched thin with funding cuts. As always, our community was there.”

Despite the recession, our community came together to ensure survivors had access to safe and confidential shelter. On July 9, 2009, WEAVE opened the doors to the newly built home. In the past five years, 995 children and 1,154 adults have called the Safehouse home, staying a total of 50,858 bednights. The Safehouse provides a comprehensive emergency shelter program for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

The home our community built is a 12,000 square foot facility that includes three residential wings featuring six family suites in each wing. Each wing features a shared kitchen and bathroom space. Today, the 18 family Safehouse is at capacity or near capacity nearly every day.

At the Safehouse, survivors receive all services onsite within the safety of the residential campus. Survivors are provided with emergency transportation, food and clothing, housing advocacy, crisis intervention, therapeutic counseling, psychoeducational support groups, legal assistance, comprehensive case management, and school advocacy. The needs of the children are a priority, too. The campus includes an onsite charter school, children’s counseling, and Playcare. More importantly, it provides the entire family the ability to leave the abuse, better understand the dynamics of the abusive relationship, understand that they are not alone, cry a little and laugh a little.

The average family that stays with us contains a 33 year old woman with 2 children.  71% of survivors who arrive at our Safehouse report having a weapon used against them as part of the abuse and 40% arrive with a recent injury from abuse. In 2013, the average length of stay was 29 days. Of those staying 20 days or more, 75% exited the Safehouse to safe and supportive housing that did not include the abuser.

For more information on our Safehouse click here. To make a donation to help maintain our home, click here. And for a list of our Safehouse current needs, click here.