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Morning Star Sanctuary Morning Star Sanctuary provides a safe haven for women and their children who have fled domestic violence or abusive home environments. We provide help to empower these women to break the cycle of violence that controls their lives. The vision of the program addresses the urgent needs of today's victims, as well as better lives for future generations. SERVICES PROVIDED by MORNING STAR SANCTUARY Crisis Intervention and Emergency Housing Using a 24/7 crisis line and 16-bed residence staffed 24/7, Morning Star provides safe housing for victims of domestic violence. From July 2005-June 2006, 3,059 clients received services through the various programs offered at Morning Star. Sadly, another 165 women and children were turned away due to lack of space and emergency housing. Counseling and Case Management Support groups meet weekly in confidential locations. Trained and qualified counselors facilitate the groups. Special counseling and therapy sessions are conducted for the children by a licensed clinical social worker. THis counseling deal with overcoming the trauma they have encountered and appropriate alternatives to a violent lifestyle. This fiscal year the staff at Morning Star handled more than 1,396 crisis calls and women and children received 2,050 hours of counseling. Court Advocacy Morning Star Sanctuary provides this service for victims in Metro General Sessions and Juvenile Courts. During the past year, the court advocacy program has served an average of 106 victims per month. Morning Star now provides two full time court advocates who meet with victims who may be alone, frightened and confused about their options. They provide resource materials, emotional support and help guide them through the system. Consultations with General Sessions and Juvenile Judges, the Metropolitan Police Department Domestic Violence Division, an representatives from the District Attorney's Office help determine the needs of victims using the judicial system. Over the past year, 2,018 victims were provided resources materials, phone counseling, and consultations by the Morning Star Court Advocacy Program, and 775 were assisted with their Orders of Protection. The program has been able to serve about 40% of the total domestic violence cases heard in the County Court System. Mentoring Morning Star Sanctuary is the ONLY domestic violence program in Tennessee offering mentoring for victims leaving the shelter residence. This component matches mature, trained volunteers with victims and their children to help them gain self-sufficiency and well-being. Mentors assist in budgeting, home management skills, and life skills. At monthly dinner meetings, outside resource speakers provide information regarding personal finance, health, parenting skills, continuing education, etc. Meals, transportation, childcare, and printed materials are provided. Transitional Housing Morning Star provides residence for those victims who need to move on to independent living but have limited financial resources. There are currently two homes used for transitional housing. Women and children can live in these homes for up to one year while continuing case management and budgeting to save money for permanent housing. Community Education Morning Star conducts on-going community education presentations on the effects of domestic violence on women, children and communities. Materials are available for distribution that educates in the areas of detecting the signs of a potential abuser and recognizing the signs of a victim of abuse. It is our belief that education is the key to overcoming domestic violence in our community. For more information about this organization, please contact Connie Elder at connie@connieelder.com. |
© 2007 Connie Elder International. All Rights Reserved.
Send all email correspondence to: info@connieelder.com
