Residential Services

AVDA’s 64-bed emergency shelter, staffed 24 hours a day, provides domestic violence survivors and their children and pets a safe place to stay for at least six weeks. An extended stay beyond six weeks can be arranged for victims who have special needs and require an extended length of stay. 

Residents are provided food, clothing, transportation, basic need items, information and referrals to community resources, and continuous safety planning assistance. While in shelter, all residents have access to advocacy and comprehensive service management to assist them in taking steps toward attaining self-sufficiency. When survivors leave AVDA’s temporary shelter, all safety plans are revised and referrals to AVDA's outreach services are provided. 

Children in shelter develop individual safety plans that are appropriately tailored to their age and developmental stage. Children in shelter receive psychosocial assessments, individual and group counseling, as needed. Advocates work with children and their caregiver to assist the family in practicing nonviolent forms of communication and discipline. Children’s support groups are held weekly discussing topics such as healthy relationships, feelings, self-esteem, nonviolent conflict resolution and safety planning. Children’s field trips and other creativity and enrichment activities are provided.