W
ith hundreds of testimonials to show that their efforts
are valued, needed, and successful, Shelter House is
a vital part of the health and well being of the area.
Prior to 1985 there was no local haven for survivors
of domestic violence and abuse. Victims from Okaloosa and Walton
Counties traveled as far as Pensacola for help and refuge, which was
a deterrent for many of them to speak up. Shelter House was founded
by a dedicated and concerned group of individuals.
As new and different needs have arisen, Shelter House’s services
and capacity has expanded since that time. In October 2013 they
became pet-friendly, as that was also a reason that some victims
remained in abusive relationships. Kind Heart Kennel at Shelter
House became the only domestic violence shelter in Northwest
Florida to allow pets.
Also in 2013, Shelter House leadership was made aware that the
rape crisis services that were currently available in Okaloosa and
Walton Counties were coming to an end. Shelter House began
providing services in July 2013, which included confi dential
counseling and support groups for sexual assault survivors, families,
and partners.
Today, Shelter House is the only state-certifi ed domestic and sexual
violence service-center serving victims of Okaloosa and Walton
Counties. Their services encompass confi dential shelter, court
advocacy, peer counseling, support groups, primary prevention,
transitional housing, economic empowerment, 24-hour domestic
violence hotline, 24-hour sexual assault helpline, child therapy
services, and supportive services for family members of sexual
violence victims. All of these services are free and confi dential.
The sexual assault helpline is available for survivors of rape or
any form of sexual assault who are experiencing fresh trauma as
well those still living with the pain of an attack that occurred in the
past. The domestic violence hotline is there for survivors who are
seeking shelter or looking to access any other service that Shelter
House provides, and referrals to other community services. The
emergency shelter provides safe and confi dential shelter to victims of
domestic and
sexual violence,
their children,
and pets with
24 hours per
day staff, 365
days a year,
and can accommodate up to 36 residents. Residents are provided
with immediate needs such as food and hygiene products and are
also assigned an advocate who can assess all other needs and provide
services such as peer counseling, referrals, legal advocacy, and safety
planning.
Sexual assault survivors might seek shelter if their attacker
is someone who lives in or near their home, their assailant has
threatened them or they do not feel safe in their home for any reason.
The maximum length of stay is eight weeks. Upon leaving the shelter,
residents are encouraged to continue using services through one of
the Outreach offi ces.
In the past year Shelter House has answered 1,264 hotline calls,
responded to 91 rape response calls at the six local area hospitals,
provided a total of 7,478 bed nights at their emergency shelter to 239
people, 87 of which were children, took in 17 pets through their Kind
Heart Kennel and educated thousands of children and youth through
their prevention programming. For more information on how Shelter
House can help, visit shelterhousnwfl .org.
story by
Greg Alexander
|
photos provided by
Jim Clark & Shelter Home
56 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
XX-XX Give Care Share_shelterhouse.indd 1
8/29/18 9:52 AM