Friendship Home services

Services

Friendship Home offers programs to help open the door to safety and lives free from fear for women and children fleeing domestic violence. In 2006, the average monthly caseload was 299 women and children in all of the programs.

Emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children is provided in two large older homes with several large bedrooms. Families share bedrooms and community living spaces such as the living and dining rooms. The two homes serving as emergency shelters can accomodate 50 women and children 365 days a year.

Transitional shelter is provided for women and children who have been residents of Friendship Home and who are building resources needed to obtain their own residences. The six transitional shelters are single or multiple family dwellings owned by the Lincoln Housing Authority and used expressly for women and children who have been residents of Friendship Home. Friendship Home provides some financial support for the families served in transition. The six transitional shelter locations serve approximately 10 families, depending on family size.

Friendship Home staff provides services based on an individual family's situation and needs.

Case Managers work with women and children who are waiting for shelter. They work with women in developing plans for self-sufficiency once they leave the shelter, provide education regarding domestic violence, and advocate on a family's behalf with other agencies or service providers. Case Managers also make referrals for legal services and housing.

Women's Advocates receive crisis calls and request for shelter. At least one advocate is available 24 hours a day to provide counseling, support women, facilitate support groups, and provide education about domestic violence and sexual assault.

Children's Advocates specialize in recognizing the effects of domestic violence on children, teaching and modeling nonviolent ways of resolving conflict, and providing individual and group support for children based on their specific needs.