River House offers many services to the community, including emergency shelter, advocacy, assistance with PPOs (personal protection orders), court appearance preparation and a 24-hour crisis line. We also facilitate educational support groups in each of our four counties. All services are offered free of charge.  Also, the local community college, hospital, mental health agencies, health department, police departments and court officials work collaboratively with River House in their mutual goal to end intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. River House collaborates in meeting to facilitate community collaboration regarding domestic violence policies, procedures, prevention and education.

Emergency Shelter

Upon entering River House, Inc., survivors are welcomed by staff. After time is taken to fill out the necessary intake forms, a bedroom is assigned, and the survivor is given a tour of the shelter. The shelter provides comfortable surroundings, food, clothing, and personal care products for survivors and their children.

River House, Inc offers survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault a wide range of programs and services.  With these supports, survivors will then feel empowered to create a self-sufficient lifestyle free of violence.

First Meeting

Each program participant meets with an advocate to assess and identify needs and goals, so the survivor can move toward those goals.

Services

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

Individual Support

Confidential and available either by phone 24 hours a day or in person.

Legal Advocacy Support

The River House Advocates support intimate partner violence survivors throughout the legal process. While advocates do not give legal advice, they do seek to enhance the safety of survivors 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

River House provides a 24-hour hotline for immediate crisis intervention. The On-Call or Outreach Advocates are available to attend police interviews and court proceedings with the survivor. In addition, individual and group advocacies are available for the survivor and their family.

Support Groups

Combining education and peer support in a relaxed, safe, and confidential atmosphere.  The Healthy Relationships Group is a weekly educational program for victims and survivors of domestic or sexual violence who are interested in learning more about the dynamics of healthy relationships. It is a safe confidential place to discuss issues of concern. Groups are held in various locations and times throughout our four-county service area. It is the goal of the groups to enrich survivor'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

Groups and one-on-one advocacy is available. 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 self-esteem, and to understand that the violence is not their fault.

Other Services

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

• Employment Assistance

• Long Range Planning

• Permanent Housing

• Budgeting

• Parenting and Children's Services and Support (one-on-one)

• Academic and Vocational Growth and Development Services

• Support Services (food, clothing and personal needs)