Safehouse Denver

The residential services program helps survivors avoid homelessness or returning to an abuser through two resources: the emergency shelter that provides safe, confidential housing, advocacy-based counseling, and basic needs for adults and children fleeing domestic violence; and the extended stay program (esp) for survivors who are out of immediate crisis but need more time to access housing and resources. Residents in both programs have regular contact with a domestic violence advocate to support them in achieving their self-determined goals for stability. Advocates support survivors in implementing safety plans so they can access employment, attend school, or use community resources. In addition to one-on-one work with their advocates, survivors have the opportunity to participate in support groups. Last fiscal year, the emergency shelter served 159 adults and 106 children with 4,880 nights of shelter. The emergency shelter was able to operate at full capacity again for the first time since the pandemic began in march 2020. We reached full capacity in the last quarter of 2023 which resulted in a 7% increase in the number of clients we served from the previous quarter. For the second year in a row, 100% of residents in our extended stay program successfully moved onto stable housing conditions.

The children's program at the emergency residential facility includes personal advocacy, educational assistance, supportive play, art therapy, and intervention groups that assist children in developing safety plans, conflict resolution skills and healthy relationships.

The non-residential program at the cac supports adult and teen survivors of domestic violence who are not in need of emergency shelter or temporary housing. Services include individual advocacy-based domestic violence counseling, information and referrals, case management, and support groups. Cac clients can receive services in-person or via an encrypted video platform, giving clients safety and confidentiality. During the fiscal year ending march 31, 2024, 272 adult survivors received support as clients of the cac. An additional 412 adults were referred to Safehouse Denver and received domestic violence education, crisis intervention, and safety planning, although they did not complete an intake assessment to become clients. Cac advocates facilitated 39 survivor-led support groups. Through the youth-focused advocacy area of the organization, 169 youth were provided with education and support related to healthy relationships and early warning of intimate partner violence.

Safehouse Denver's services to support children and youth are based on a family model that aims to build resilience in children affected by domestic violence. This is done through strong parent-child bonds that support healthy development in children and improved family outcomes. Through safe emergency housing, extended stay housing, individual and family counseling, support groups, and advocacy, Safehouse Denver provides families with programming that increases self-sufficiency and strengthens relationships between parents, children, and siblings. As a result, children have demonstrated improvements in problem-solving skills and expressing emotions; increased self-confidence; and more positive relationships. The 24/7 crisis and information line offers crisis intervention and information referral assistance. Over 11,000 calls were received from april 1, 2023, to march 31, 2024. Approximately 3,000 callers were referred to other facilities because Safehouse Denver was not able to serve them at the emergency shelter (due to being at full capacity). In 2023, we expanded our connection to the community to provide awareness and education on domestic violence to the general population. Safehouse Denver added a full-time community engagement manager position to our team to lead this process. From may through december of 2023, Safehouse Denver participated in 13 community events, including cultural events, neighborhood gatherings, health fairs, and other events with approximately 2,500 people learning about our services. Through the community education program, community presentations were provided to area agencies, clubs, companies, and schools on the issue of domestic violence and our services. In 2023 we hosted 71 educational sessions with 2,561 people, which was a 48% increase in the number of presentations from the previous year.