Hartford Interval House

Shelter and hotline - Interval House maintains a shelter for the purpose of safely housing abused women and their children. The shelter is in a non- disclosed location and can accommodate up to 25 women and children at a time. Interval House also works with men and emergency safe housing is provided elsewhere for those clients. Interval House operates a crisis hotline for victims of domestic violence. This hotline operates 24 hours a day, every single day of the calendar year. All persons answering the hotline are certified domestic violence crisis counselors.

Volunteer / community education program: community education- the mission of Interval House is to prevent and end domestic violence. A key component is the community education and public relations program which provides both information and education about domestic violence and Interval House to the 24 towns served. The program also builds and maintains positive relationships within our community and within our catchment area. Efforts are continually made to reach into the community through the use of both staff and volunteers working with schools, civic groups, the faith community and professional organizations to raise awareness of domestic violence and its impact on our society. Volunteer program - at Interval House, we respect and rely on the work of our volunteers. We have an active and varied group of volunteers in the community that provide both direct and non-direct services to the agency. All direct service volunteers, those who have contact with clients, are required to undergo an intense 20 hour training on domestic violence and are certified as domestic violence counselors. Volunteers in non-direct services assist in the daily clerical, maintenance, and special event activities that do not require contact with our clients.

Advocacy/outreach programs - provides certified crisis counselors to guide victims of domestic violence through the legal system in both criminal and civil matters stemming from abuse cases. Advocates are located in the courthouses used by the 24 towns Interval House serves. Advocates help victims understand the judicial process, aid in evaluating their situation and determining their particular needs, most importantly including safety planning. Advocates also help victims develop a plan for moving forward with their lives and accessing additional resources necessary to accomplish their goals. One-on-one crisis counseling is provided to victims and their children. These programs also include the operation of a 24/7 hotline and the statewide 24-hour spanish crisis hotline.

Satellite offices - currently located in manchester, this satellite office offers both one on one and women's group counseling sessions, as well as children's groups and a 24-hour hotline. Children's program - works with children from homes where there is domestic violence. They provide services to children living in the shelter and in the community. The children's program works with parents receiving ih services and gives both parents and children information on domestic violence, safety planning and skills for coping with their current status. There are weekly support groups and activities to teach the children ways to deal with their emotions in a nonjudgmental, accepting environment. The emphasis of the support groups is on safety and self-esteem. Other themes that may be introduced are teen dating violence and diversity inclusion. Children are encouraged to share experiences and give each other support. Domestic violence outreach team - a unique program housed at the manchester police department that partners an Interval House advocate with a manchester police officer.