Healing Abuse Working for Change

Community based programs:hawc maintains two community based offices in salem and lynn, Massachusetts where advocates provide one-on-one advocacy and support groups. Likewise, legal services are available directly out of five regional courts in salem, peabody, gloucester and lynn. Hawc services are available directly on-site at north shore medical center. The organization prioritizes the maintenance of these multiple community locations in order to remove transportation barriers and maximize accessibility of services. Each of the community based offices are co-located with complimentary human service providers such as the department of transitional assistance, wic, community health centers and career counseling.during the safer at home order and the ongoing covid-19 crisis, the organization quickly developed the capacity to provide services virtually. Now most services are available in person or virtually based on the survivor's particular needs at any given time. This hybrid service delivery model maximizes client choice and reduces barriers to service.

Legal services:survivors experience an average of one to three legal issues when seeking to end an abusive relationship. With help from hawc's legal services, Abuse survivors can learn about and enforce their rights in court. Hawc's trained legal advocates, staff attorneys and pro bono attorneys provide the following support:legal accompaniment: Abuse survivors applying for Abuse and harassment prevention orders in the five local courts in hawc's service area can acquire support in the application process and during hearings, discuss individualized safety plans, and receive referrals for other hawc services.legal consultations: Abuse survivors seeking advice on custody issues, divorce hearings, housing and immigration concerns, or other legal matters resulting from Abuse, can attend free legal clinics run by staff and pro-bono attorneys.direct representation: in high-risk cases, depending on hawc's availability, Abuse survivors can acquire direct legal representation.

Emergency shelter and housing:hawc's emergency shelter provides a six to twelve month program for individuals who have become homeless as a result of domestic violence. While in the shelter program, survivors participate in intensive one-on-one advocacy and support groups. Advocacy includes housing search support, connection to various community programs including job readiness counseling, school, daycare and early intervention enrollment for children. Group support includes domestic violence 101, parenting support and creative coping, a parent child support group that uses art, dance, and movement to help kids label and communicate their emotions and engage coping skills. Once permanent housing is secured, hawc provides moving expenses, furniture and housing goods, and short-term rental assistance, as available. Hawc participates in the statewide emergency hotline, safelink, which links domestic violence victims to shelters with vacancies.

Education and outreach: hawc provides violence prevention education in schools and in partnership with local youth serving organizations to increase awareness about healthy relationships, warning signs of Abuse and explore ways for friends and bystanders to get involved to reduce bullying and aggression.hawc is an important community resource providing education and training on how to support survivors. Hawc frequently provides training for the staff of community partners, such as head start and local public schools. It is hawc's goal to empower other service providers with the tools they need to provide trauma informed care and make referrals to hawc.the organization trains community volunteers and interns who assist in providing hotline support, court advocacy and support group facilitation. Through special events and social media content the organization seeks to raise awareness about domestic violence and social justice initiatives that empower survivors and work to eliminate oppression in all its forms.