Harriett* has been struggling with depression for most of her life. When she came to The Salvation Army four years ago, she had left a domestic violence situation with her husband and had overcome a drug addiction. However even though she was past the violence and the drugs, she still struggled with her mental health. During her first stay at The Salvation Army, Harriett rarely left her room and did not take any actions to improve her own life.

Harriett recently came back to the shelter for a second time, and she made great progress! She started to take control of her depression, and has been working on her independence and self confidence. She no longer stayed in her room, but made efforts to look for a part time job while applying for SSD and participating in the Shelter Plus Care program. Harriett also sees a counselor twice a month, which she would have never done before.

We am so proud of Harriett and the progress she has made. Even though she was nervous about moving out on her own, she knew that was the step in the right direction and that The Salvation Army was there still to support her. She has been clean for over 20 years and now has much better coping skills. She is part of our Continuing Support Program and continues to meet with her case manager once a week.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

Check Out Our New Digs!

This past Friday and Saturday staff and employees at the Salvation Army Women and Children’s Shelter were blessed to have Calvary Temple Church come in and serve us for their service project “I Love Indy.”  The group of young adults led by Pastor Glen Palmer transformed our lobby and two tv tooms, painted a mural in our hallway and even provided each woman and family with a new “bed in a bag.”   In addition to the renovations volunteers took our children our for a day at the Children’s Museum while the women stayed at the shelter for a “Spa Day” where they were given facials, manicures and pedicures, and pampered!

Words can not describe how much of a difference this group made so please check out our pictures!

And as one client wrote in a thank you letter to the church, “This past Sunday I came into the lobby as I waited for a ride and found the beautiful furnishings and otmosphere that just brought joy to my life. I could not help but priase God for people such as yourselves who cared enough to do this for us.  Thank you so much for bringing a little joy in one ladies heart.  May God continue to bless you and may he shower his abundant love on you.”

On behalf of all the shelter staff and clients, thank you Calvary Temple for fixing up our home!

A Night In Our City Raises Almost $5,000

Friday, June 19 marked what we hope will be the first annual “A Night In Our City.”  The event put together by Response Church and The Salvation Army aimed to raise money and awareness in order to support the downtown women and children’s shelter and educate the greater Indianapolis area about domestic violence and its prevalence in our city;  reinforce the value of family and community; and to reduce abuse, neglect, and deaths involving the women and children in Indianapolis.

The event featured a silent auction, fun games and a moonbounce for children, four live bands and food provided by HotBox Pizza and Starbucks Coffee.  The event also presented a perfect opportunity to recognize the shelter’s first Employee of the Year, Stephanie Moore. 

A special thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors, volunteers, staff, Response Church and Blue Trolley Press for helping make this event a success!

Miss the event and still want to help?  It’s not to late!  Click here to donate now!

“The best changes often start as a single, simple thought.  Think big and discover the ways to make your dreams real.” -Unknown

Mark your calendars for June 19th from 6:00pm-9:00pm and come out to the corner of Park and 10th Street for the Salvation Army and Response Church’s  first “Night In Our City:  A Fundraiser to Support Women and Children Affected by Domestic Violence.”

Here’s why:

• Of the 152 women and children served last month at the downtown shelter, 126 were seeking shelter due to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, isolation and forced prostitution.
• So far this year we have already seen 428 women and 223 children seeking safety and shelter.
• Last year we served 1,785 people. That’s 1,057 women and 728 children.  Homeless and abused.  In our city!
• We serve an average of 6,700 meals per month.  Three meals a day, seven days a week.

Come on out, enjoy a slice of HotBox pizza, a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade, and hot cup of coffee provided by Starbucks.   Listen to some live music, play carnival games with your kids, and participate in a silent auction.

If you can’t make the event but still want to help, you can make an online donation here.

Help us empower and uplift the women and children in our city.  Help us break the cycle of abuse.

For more information: email anightinourcity@gmail.com or call 224-1067

Karen’s Story

“My name is Karen* and I have a beautiful, intelligent little three year old girl.  When I came to the shelter I was leaving a domestic violence relationship and a very depressing home environment.  I decided I had finally had enough of the abuse and that our home environment was no longer safe for myself or my daughter.  So, after formulating a plan to escape I talked with the staff at The Salvation Army.  They were very welcoming and I knew it was a place that would be safe and allow me to start over. 

The shelter was such a helpful place for my daughter and I.  We were in such a time of need and The Salvation Army was just the helping hand we needed.  We stayed at the shelter for a few months.  While living there I attended classes to prepare me for living on my own and to cope with the abuse we had experienced.  Finally, I took steps to get our lives back on track.  I decided to take CNA classes so I could build a career.  The Salvation Army helped give me information about getting back on my feet.  They also provided resources to places that would help pay for CNA classes – that was amazing!  I am thankful to have found people so helpful and caring. 

In closing, my stay at the Salvation Army was a life changing step in the right direction.  I now have an apartment of my own.  My daughter and I are in relief of all of the stress and very happy.  We appreciate all of the people at The Salvation Army and are thankful to have had the experience to be around so many loving people.”

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

April Statistics

I am often asked to give statistics regarding the number of people we are serving, the average length that clients stay at the Social Service Center, etc.  Here are some statistics from the month of April:

We had 58 new adults and 22 new children come into the shelter in April.

51 adults and 26 children continued to receiving services from the previous month (March).

The average length of stay for April:  67 nights.  Some clients stay for one night and some for many months, depending on their individual situation.

Of the number of clients served in April, 107 of the women and children received shelter due to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, isolation and forced prostitution.

The shelter served 6,586 meals in April.

Want to help us help others?  Click on “Donate” to see how.

-Julia

Mother’s Day Flower Project

For the 25,000 women who’ll spend this Mother’s Day in a battered women’s shelter, concerns like securing a new home, keeping their children safe and putting food on the table make the holiday just another day to survive. This year, go above and beyond flowers and brunch, and honor the women you love by supporting women in need.

Every spring in time for Mother’s Day, JWI’s Mother’s Day Flower Project sends beautiful bouquets to 150 battered women’s shelters across the U.S., including the Social Service Center, while raising funds for initiatives that work every day to educate communities, empower women and break the cycle of abuse.

On a single day in September 2008, nearly 61,000 victims of domestic violence were served by DV programs across the country (up from 53,000 the previous year); more than 21,000 hotline calls were answered; and almost 9,000 requests for services were unmet due to inadequate funding or lack of available staff to assist these victims.

If you are interested in donating to the Mother’s Day Flower Project please visit www.jwci.org.

Emergency Bed Space

After being referred by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Janeca* came to the Social Service Center Emergency Bed Space Program with her six children.  Her husband was in jail due to the violence perpetrated towards her and her children.

Janeca and her children were transferred into a traditional room at the Center two nights after coming into the Emergency Bed Space Program.  She met with her case manager and arranged transportation to get her kids to and from school.  She also got connected with a counselor for her and the children to go to.  After two days in the shelter she became frightened after seeing family members near the shelter.  Her case manager worked with another agency and was able to transfer her to another shelter.

Janeca is still in contact with her case manager for support services and is doing well.  Her husband is in jail on numerous charges.  She hopes to have an apartment within the next three weeks.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

Long-Term Support

Mindy* came into shelter several years ago to escape a domestic violence situation.  After going through an outpatient drug treatment program, Mindy found employment as a teaching assistant and went back to school to work on her degree in education.  Mindy completed her degree last year and now is working full time in a day care teaching pre-school.

Mindy received joint custody of her children after following the direction of the courts and working with Family Services.  She continues to work daily towards goals and positive influences for herself and her children.  She is part of our Continuing Support Program and still speaks with her case manager weekly.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

Looking On to a Happy Future

“My name is Megan and I am a 40 year old single who is disabled.  I grew up in a family where I was subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.  My father was a very violence alcoholic who eventually shot and killed my mother in 1996.  The death was ruled an accident and he lived until 2004.  He began stalking me after the shooting. 

I accepted abuse in relationships, including my ex-fiance.  I got into some legal trouble with my ex and served time in prison.

I have always had many medical problems and was found totally disabled in 2001.  Having no family and seperated from any friends by my ex, I have dealt with homelessness.

I am homeless today because my disability checks were suspended.  My ex found me at the first shelter I was at and began threatening me.  Then the Salvation Army Social Service Center took me in under Domestic Violence.  I am working on replacing my ID so that I can get a new apartment and begin life again.

I have realized through the Domestic Violence classes here at the Salvation Army that I can stop the cycle of abuse.  It has showed me that what happened in the past was not my fault and that even though I will always have to deal with my disabilities, I can still have a happy future.”

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

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