Program areas at Dove
Emergency shelter: since 1978, Dove, Inc. has operated a 24-hr hotline and emergency shelter for victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children fleeing from abuse.
Legal advocacy: the staff attorneys in Dove's legal advocacy program operate a legal helpline, provide information and legal advice, and also provide legal representation for victims regarding restraining orders as well as probate and family court matters, immigration, andhousing and benefits.
Community advocacy: Dove provides comprehensive advocacy and supportive services for victims and survivors. In addition to emergency shelter, Dove operates a community avocacy and prevention services office. Community advocates work individually with victims to provide information, supportive counseling, and advocacy, and also offer educational and support groups. Dove's civilian domestic violence advocates work with multiple police stations and contact victims following a dispatch on a domestic incident call, to provide information, resources, and support.
Dove's civilian advocacy program staff are based in and work with 8 police departments in norfolk county. Dove staff review domestic violence police reports and reach out to those identified to offer support and information about Dove's services.
Dove's community education & prevention program staff conduct training for health and social service providers as well as community members about domestic violence and related issues, as well as provide information about Dove's services and how to refer survivors for assistance. Within community education & prevention lies youthspeak, Dove's healthy relationship education and abuse prevention program. Youthspeak staff educate students and young adults on the complex issues of healthy relationships, respectful communication, and dating abuse, while supporting and empowering youth to become leaders and agents for change in their communities.
Dove's children's program works closely across Dove's various programs and with external child-focused systems such as schools, the department of children and families, and other therapeutic supports.