7 Shelters That Help People Get Back On Their Feet

7 Organizations Giving Those in Need a Place to Go

The Stories of People Helped by ROOTS Young Adult Shelter

Intimate Partner Violence Statistics

• 35.6% of women and 28.5% of men in the U.S. report having experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
• Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States
• Women with disabilities have a 40% greater risk of intimate partner violence than women without disabilities
• Approximately 63% of homeless women have experienced domestic violence
• A woman is assaulted in the U.S. every 9 seconds
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women
• Men who witnessed domestic violence as children were twice as likely to abuse their own wives than sons of nonviolent parents
• From 1994 to 2010, roughly 4 in 5 victims of intimate partner violence were female
• 1 in 5 teenage girls said they have been in a relationship where the boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if a breakup was to occur
• Since 2003, 18,000 women have been killed by men in domestic violence disputes

Brooke Shields and Win Advocating for Homeless Children in New York

In Depth

All people have the right to live without fear. However, people and families facing homelessness, domestic abuse, and street violence often need assistance to escape these conditions. By removing the shame associated with asking for help, and ensuring access to necessary services, those affected can begin to live safely and independently. Here, in no particular order, are seven organizations providing emergency and long-term services.

In the #1 spot is Laura's House, a state-approved comprehensive domestic violence agency in California. Started in 1994, it offers residential shelter services, counseling, and a 24/7 crisis hotline. Its goal is to provide support that will allow victims of domestic violence to break the cycle of abuse, and to live independently. The programs have an emphasis on education and prevention for future generations.

To counteract the tremendous effect abuse has on children, this group provides therapeutic services like art therapy and after-school programs. It also offers legal advocacy, including case assessment, guidance on filing a restraining order, hearing preparation, and education on victim rights. There are many ways to get involved if interested in supporting this organization. You can donate your vehicle, shop or sell items to the Laura's House Resale Store, or attend an event.

There are many ways to get involved if interested in supporting this organization.

Coming in at #2 is ROOTS, a public charity serving young adults in Seattle. To accomplish its vision of ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home, it partners with other agencies to create a continuum of services for homeless and street-involved youth and young adults. Its emergency overnight shelter provides services for people ages eighteen through twenty-five, including clean bedding, showers, clothing, and meals. Its Friday Feast is a free dinner available for anyone in the community.

ROOTS also provides a list of additional resources available to locals. To help this organization's mission, there are numerous ways to get involved. You can purchase items from its wish list, featuring much-needed supplies for the shelter. Volunteers are needed to serve meals, set up shelter areas, and build positive relationships with guests. Hosting a drive is also a way to gather items or funds for this group.

#3 is The Women's Center, a multi-service crisis intervention and assessment center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It works to break the cycle of trauma, violence, and homelessness to help women achieve fulfillment and dignity. By providing a safe, low barrier environment, it provides a place where the stabilization and healing process can begin. Services include access to transportation, clothing, emergency food, personal hygiene products, and health education and testing.

Services include access to transportation, clothing, emergency food, personal hygiene products, and health education and testing.

In an effort to help the women it serves become self-sufficient, it is open every day of the year to provide necessary services. Volunteer opportunities abound with this organization, and include hosting a meal, providing bagged lunches, sorting donations, and leading an activity session. Volunteers can also help tend The Women's Center Garden, which allows clients to grow their own food and learn job skills.

#4 on the list is Miracle Hill Ministries, a religiously affiliated group providing services to the homeless population of upstate South Carolina. It is the state's largest and most comprehensive provider of homeless services for children and adults, and holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Operating four rescue missions, two addiction recovery programs, two youth homes, and a foster care program, it is guiding people toward stability and Christ.

Contributing to its mission, it operates extreme-weather shelters, a food warehouse, and multiple thrift stores. It holds events, like the annual Spring Banquet and Kid Ninja Warrior Challenge, to raise awareness and funds. You can attend or volunteer to help this organization and the people it services. It also needs mentors to create long-term friendships with program participants.

It also needs mentors to create long-term friendships with program participants.

Next, at #5, is Haven. For over forty years, this nonprofit has helped domestic violence and sexual assault victims escape abuse. It empowers survivors to heal and honors them as experts of their own experiences. To eradicate this violence and help those affected by it, this group provides emergency shelter, counseling services, and support groups. It believes informing and educating people about these issues helps to eliminate them, and offers prevention education programs to communities and schools.

Haven engages all individuals to address and prevent sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Volunteers for this organization have the chance to help on a regular basis in many roles, including reception and administrative duties, community engagement, and education. You can also provide assistance through events, group projects, or by spreading awareness.

Coming in at #6 is Win, the largest provider of shelter and supportive services for homeless families in New York City. Operating eleven shelters and more than 300 supportive housing units, it is transforming the lives of homeless women and their children. Founded in 1983, this organization uses a comprehensive and holistic approach. By providing childcare, life skills, education, and employment assistance, it combats the cycle of homelessness.

Founded in 1983, this organization uses a comprehensive and holistic approach.

With thousands of people staying in its shelters and housing units, there is high need for items like toiletries, clothing, and toys. In-kind donations are accepted for these items, either through individual giving or fundraising efforts. You can also purchase e-cards or printed cards, designed by children living in Win shelters. Other ways to help include attending an event or volunteering.

In the #7 spot is Barrier Free Living, a nonprofit operating in New York City. This group works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Its mission is to ensure people with disabilities live in a supportive and safe environment, free from all forms of abuse and bias. This organization's Freedom House is the nation's first fully accessible domestic violence shelter, assisting people locally, nationally, and internationally.

Barrier Free Living also operates apartments for permanent housing, with support services for tenants. In order to raise awareness and increase understanding, it provides expert speakers and instructors for seminars or trainings on disability and domestic violence. Financial contributions, in-kind donations, and event partnership are all ways to help this organization. For those interested in volunteering, there are opportunities in administration, maintenance, counseling, and marketing.