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Programs and Services

River House, Inc. annually provides an average of over 4,000 bed-nights and serves over 300 non-residential clients.

River House, Inc. domestic violence and sexual assault programs offer survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault a wide range of services. These services help each participant be safe and maintain a self-sufficient lifestyle free of violence.

First Meeting

Each program participant meets with an advocate to assess and identify needs and goals. Each participant will develop a service plan based on their individual goals and needs.

Services

River House, Inc. provides services directly and assists in accessing community resources. These services and resources include:

Emergency Shelter

Upon entering River House, Inc., participants are welcomed by staff. Time will be taken to fill out the necessary intake forms. A bedroom is assigned and the participant is given a tour of the shelter. The shelter provides comfortable surroundings for participants and their children.

Nearly one-third of American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives.
- Commonwealth Fund Survey, 1998
 


"I don't know the future but it can't be as bad as the past."
- Quote from River House client

Legal Advocacy Serviceslegal help

The Legal Advocacy Program assists domestic violence survivors throughout the legal process. While advocates do not give legal advice, they do seek to enhance the safety of women and their children by providing them with knowledge about their legal choices. Frequently this includes disseminating information, accompanying survivors in court, explaining the court process, and providing appropriate community contacts when necessary. The legal advocate provides survivors with the knowledge needed to empower them to make informed decisions.

Sexual Assault Services

The Sexual Violence Program at River House, Inc. provides a 24-hour hotline for immediate crisis intervention. A sexual violence advocate will stay with the survivor or their family at the hospital emergency department and provide clothing and referral information. The sexual violence advocate is available to attend police interviews and court proceedings with the survivor. In addition, individual and group counseling are available for the survivor and their family.

Healthy Relationships, A Series for Women

The Healthy Relationship Group is a weekly educational program. It is a safe confidential place to discuss women's issues. Groups are held in various locations and times throughout our four county service area. It is the goal of the group to enrich women's lives and help them to maintain healthy relationships by giving alternatives to violence. The topics of the group include assertiveness, boundaries, self-care, parenting, evaluating new relationships and self-esteem.

Children's Support Group

The Children's Support Group is a weekly educational program. It is a safe and confidential place for children who have experienced violence in their lives to meet and discuss topics such as safety planning, good esteem, and to understand that the violence is not their fault.

Alternatives to Abuse Program (ATAP)
"I learned to listen and negotiate when a problem comes up instead of trying to control it by yelling, threatening or putting my partner or someone else down."
- ATAP Participant

The Alternatives to Abuse Program is a weekly counseling and educational program held in group format. It is a safe confidential place to discuss alternatives to abusive behaviors. It is the goal of the group for participants to stop using threatening, abusive and violent behavior. Attitudes that give permission to use abuse are challenged. In addition, new skills are taught regarding self-control, non-violence, positive communication and conflict resolution.

Other Services

River House, Inc. will assist participants in accessing such services as: