Since opening in 2016, we have reached and worked with over 6,500 domestic violence survivors – 97% women, 69% mothers with more than 3,100 children visiting our playroom – with many needing immediate safety planning, healthcare, and support with basic needs and housing.
But it’s not just about the numbers and how many people we can help – it’s about the individuals, one person at a time finding hope, a community, and a safe space to heal and rebuild:
ANNA was too afraid to take the family car, didn’t have any money for transportation, so she and her two young children spent an hour walking to the Rose Andom Center. A week before, Anna had left her abuser – her husband of ten years. She could no longer bear living in fear.
At the Rose Andom Center, Anna was greeted by welcoming staff and her children were escorted to a large playroom while she met with an advocate for housing options, transportation support, and protection orders.
Anna felt hope for the first time in a long time.
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MICHELLE and her children Amy and Derrick, ages 4 and 6, were still living with her husband of 9 years when they came to the Rose Andom Center. Michelle was filing for divorce after her husband started escalating his controlling behavior to physical abuse and threats. When Michelle came to the Rose Andom Center she was pleasantly surprised at the welcoming lobby and staff. Her children were brought to the playroom which they were eager to explore.
Michelle was relieved. Her children were well cared for while she went into a counseling room and could talk safely and privately with an advocate to discuss a safety plan, support system, and other resources she would need.
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DONNA came to the Center to meet with a Victim’s Advocate with the police department. Donna described the incident where her intimate partner physically assaulted her in their home in front of her two daughters. The Victim Advocate was able to bring Donna to a Rose Andom Center Intake Specialist who was able to connect her quickly for a medical evaluation, food resources, counseling, and other needs.
These are the benefits of everyone in one safe place – Donna may not have returned for another appointment if we were not able to see her right away. She was juggling full time employment, full time parenting and a major life change as she contemplated separating from her partner.
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CECE says a phone call to the Rose Andom Center changed her life. She reached out to the center three years ago after seeing the number in a pamphlet when she was in court for a domestic violence case involving her ex-husband.
Cece was in an abusive marriage for ten years and she said that abuse continued to escalate until one day, when her husband pinned her down and struck her head with a hammer. Dunn managed to escape the attack and while she was sitting in the hospital, she decided she was going to leave him.
When she called the Rose Andom Center, Cece said she finally felt like she wasn’t alone and knew that person on the other end of the line cared about her future. “It was the best call I ever made. The best.”
