Program areas at Advocates of Ozaukee
The shelter is staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and provides emergency shelter, food and transportation, crisis hotline counseling, mental health services including individual counseling/therapy, case management including legal advocacy, transitional living, support group counseling, accompaniment to hospitals for medical examinations, and other services to those domestic violence and sexual assault victims in need. Advocates operates the only shelter and program for domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Ozaukee County, a mixed rural and urban area; however, our clients come from Ozaukee County as well as the Greater Milwaukee area.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice awarded a grant to Advocates to begin a Sexual Assault Victim Services program in 2002. Advocates became the Sexual Assault service provider for Ozaukee County. Since that time the sexual assault program has grown significantly through additional funding from local foundations and corporations. The program includes prevention programs to children and teens, intervention services, medical and legal accompaniment, protective parent advocacy for child victims and counseling.
Advocates has always believed that children are the silent victims of domestic violence in their homes. For that reason, Advocates created a trauma informed comprehensive program to support children whether they are in shelter or in the community. Children have their own advocate who works with them and the family to discuss their fears and what they need to start feeling safe again. The program includes one on one counseling, if desired, two childrens groups a year, and a strong program in all Ozaukee County schools to provide information and prevention strategies to children. Advocates also works with children who have experienced sexual assault and provides all the above services to them and their family.