The Women's Safe House

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - The Womens Safe House (TWSH)Residential Services Program provided safe shelter and support services for 94 women and 188 dependent children who were facing homelessness while escaping violence in their own homes. We provided 15,505 nights of safety for these 282 women and children and served 30,960 meals and snacks. All services offered at TWSH are provided using a voluntary services model, allowing women to self-direct their support. In 2023, TWSH placed more than 80% of participants in safe and stable housing. In the last year, nearly 97% of respondents indicated they felt less isolated and 97% of those surveyed developed a Personal Safety Plan, 84% of the respondents indicated that their knowledge about the issues of domestic violence and community resources has increased due to their time at TWSH. 100% of respondents who had children reported that their children were able to identify a safe place or person in their lives. The STEPS (Successful Transitions by Empowering People with Services) Program - The STEPS Program provides women who have successfully completed the Residential Services Program with 12 months of continued supportive services necessary to remain safe, stabilized, and consistent in their healing journey. This support may include, but is not limited to, advocacy, case management, counseling and therapy, support groups, and emergency financial assistance. The goal is to help clients avoid future homelessness and reduce the chance that a woman might return to her abuser as she rebuilds her life and attains security and independence. In 2023, 52 families participated in the STEPS Program.

Youth Development Program - $168,309 - The Program is designed to meet the needs of infants and children and youth to age 18 who have witnessed and sometimes experienced abuse in their homes. Our state-of-the-art program provides a comforting and nurturing environment where children can learn alternatives to violent behavior, improve their self-esteem, and learn positive ways of expressing themselves. Youth Development Advocates work alongside parents and their case manager to provide children with the support they need to heal from their trauma and abuse. In 2023, 188 children and youth benefitted from youth development services that consist of intervention and prevention activities. There are weekly support groups, respite hours, field trips, holiday parties, and age-appropriate play. . HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM - The Program provides advocacy and assistance to women as they transition into housing. This program offers case management and advocacy related to finding, obtaining, and maintaining safe and stable housing and may also provide financial assistance when available. The Housing Stability Program has been carefully designed to reduce the risk of these women experiencing homelessness and/or returning to a life of abuse. Since February 2024, the Housing Stability Program has grown from providing five families with year-long rental assistance to serving more than 25 families with year-long rental assistance. . VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - $38,302 - Volunteers make a difference at The Womens Safe House every day. Volunteer efforts include, but are not limited to, serving on the Board of Directors, organizing fundraising and special events, organizing clothing and school supply drives, assisting with in-kind donations, answering crisis calls, providing child care, providing clerical support, or completing one-day projects such as painting residential rooms or helping with the grounds. Practicum students, interns and community service students play a major volunteer role at The Womens Safe House. Volunteers are recruited through public speaking and outreach at schools and universities, churches, civic groups, business and corporate organizations, healthcare, social welfare agencies and United Way. In 2023, 330 volunteers supported our mission, providing more than 3,000 hours of support for our programs. Our volunteer program is certified through the United Way of Greater St. Louis. Since the services of our volunteers generally do not require specialized skills, their value is not recorded in the audited financial statements because no objective basis is available to measure the value. An estimate of the value of such services is not included in the 990 per IRS instructions. TWSH generally pays for services requiring specific expertise. . COMMUNITY EDUCATION - $36,758 - The Womens Safe House remains committed to keeping our community informed about the nature and dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse and dispelling myths that perpetuate violence against women. Trained staff and volunteers are available to speak publicly about and against domestic violence. Information is disseminated through public speaking, the agencys quarterly newsletter, annual report, and other materials.

CRISIS HOTLINE - TWSH operates a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline staffed 365 days a year. The Hotline serves as the primary intake for shelter residents and provides advocacy for women in crisis or those at-risk of domestic violence. In 2023, 7,780 hotline calls were answered with compassion and care by trained staff and volunteers. Each call is answered in a trauma-informed manner, offering all callers advocacy and support as well as information and appropriate referrals that help direct callers to resources that may provide them with the support they need.