Beaman Home Provides Refuge For Women In Domestic Abuse Situations
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Beaman Home, Warsaw, opened its doors in July 1985, and has provided a safe refuge for women who have been victims of domestic violence as well as their children. The shelter works with Warsaw Police Department's Victims Service Center for referrals.[[In-content Ad]]The shelter also assists men who are in domestic violence situations. Although men are not allowed to stay at the shelter, they are put up in a hotel room until they get back on their feet.
The shelter receives funds from the federal and state government, as well as individual donors and private foundations.
The shelter came about as a result of the efforts of the Altrusa Club, a women's club consisting of supervisors, managers and business owners. Club officials recognized a lot of their employees were in abusive situations, and there weren't resources in Kosciusko County at the time. The women decided to start the Beaman Home.
After bake sales and garages sales, money was raised to put together a program and a shelter.
"Without intervention a batterer will not change their ways, and some victims may know the abuse is coming and walk on egg shells and try to keep it from happening," according to Tracie Hodson, Beaman Home executive director.
Hodson became executive director of the Beaman Home in May, replacing Eugenia Campbell, who previously served in the role for 20 years.
"We want to let people know we are here and have an undisclosed shelter address for safety reasons, but that doesn't mean what we do should be undisclosed," Hodson said.
Hodson's role as executive director is to oversee staff and assist with leading volunteers guided by the Beaman Home's 19-member board of directors.
"Serving as Beaman Home's executive director is a personal passion for me because I have two family members who were victims and survivors of domestic abuse," Hodson said.
She said when her family members were in domestic abuse situations, she did not know because they did not confide in her.
Hodson said a lot of women who come into the shelter are fleeing a desperate situation and come with nothing but the clothes on their back.
They are provided with three meals a day, snacks, hygiene products, a place to sleep and clothing.
The shelter where women and their children stay is 1,800 square feet, and there are 13 permanent beds. The home can house up to 21 residents with cots and cribs.
In 2008, the shelter served 396 families made up of 898 individuals, Hodson said. There were 396 adults served because every adult is consider a family, and 431 children were assisted.
The number of women and children who stay at the shelter varies each day.
The emergency shelter program is limited to 45 days during which the client is assisted on how to figure out how to get the victim on their feet.
"Our mission is to assist those who are in domestic violence situations including physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse," Hodson said.
Every week the women complete a goal sheet with staff member's assistance, and discuss the tasks to reach goals.
When women come to the shelter, their mental health is fragile, and their self esteem is low and they worry if their children will be safe.
Women who leave the program use the shelter's outreach program where advocates keep in contact to support them.
There also is an outreach program for women who have used their 45 days, but need help with referrals in the community.
The average stay for women at the shelter is 17 to 18 days, and the longest stay for women is 45 days.
"We are not a transitional housing program or a homeless shelter, so we try to adhere to 45 days," Hodson said.
She said there are some exceptions if a women is working with a housing authority to secure housing. The time is extended to help them with transitioning to make sure they have a place to stay.
Those who stay at the shelter have curfews and are assisted with finding transportation or job referrals.
"A lot of women who are in an abusive situation are economically dependent on their abuser, and so we encourage them to seek help with their resume, but it is up to the women to take the reins and run with them," Hodson said.
Hodson said the shelter is always in need of hygiene products and cleaning supply donations. Clothing donations for women and children also are needed.
Volunteers also are needed to help inventory donations, provide transportation services, and read to the children who stay at the home while their mother is in a support group.
Temporary volunteers can be accepted by doing a confidentiality agreement, and long- term volunteers are asked to go through six-hour training to learn about abuse and interacting with clients.
To find out more information about the shelter or to make donations, call 574-267-7701 or in Marshall County, call the hotline at 574-936-6006 or visit thebeamanhome.org
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Beaman Home, Warsaw, opened its doors in July 1985, and has provided a safe refuge for women who have been victims of domestic violence as well as their children. The shelter works with Warsaw Police Department's Victims Service Center for referrals.[[In-content Ad]]The shelter also assists men who are in domestic violence situations. Although men are not allowed to stay at the shelter, they are put up in a hotel room until they get back on their feet.
The shelter receives funds from the federal and state government, as well as individual donors and private foundations.
The shelter came about as a result of the efforts of the Altrusa Club, a women's club consisting of supervisors, managers and business owners. Club officials recognized a lot of their employees were in abusive situations, and there weren't resources in Kosciusko County at the time. The women decided to start the Beaman Home.
After bake sales and garages sales, money was raised to put together a program and a shelter.
"Without intervention a batterer will not change their ways, and some victims may know the abuse is coming and walk on egg shells and try to keep it from happening," according to Tracie Hodson, Beaman Home executive director.
Hodson became executive director of the Beaman Home in May, replacing Eugenia Campbell, who previously served in the role for 20 years.
"We want to let people know we are here and have an undisclosed shelter address for safety reasons, but that doesn't mean what we do should be undisclosed," Hodson said.
Hodson's role as executive director is to oversee staff and assist with leading volunteers guided by the Beaman Home's 19-member board of directors.
"Serving as Beaman Home's executive director is a personal passion for me because I have two family members who were victims and survivors of domestic abuse," Hodson said.
She said when her family members were in domestic abuse situations, she did not know because they did not confide in her.
Hodson said a lot of women who come into the shelter are fleeing a desperate situation and come with nothing but the clothes on their back.
They are provided with three meals a day, snacks, hygiene products, a place to sleep and clothing.
The shelter where women and their children stay is 1,800 square feet, and there are 13 permanent beds. The home can house up to 21 residents with cots and cribs.
In 2008, the shelter served 396 families made up of 898 individuals, Hodson said. There were 396 adults served because every adult is consider a family, and 431 children were assisted.
The number of women and children who stay at the shelter varies each day.
The emergency shelter program is limited to 45 days during which the client is assisted on how to figure out how to get the victim on their feet.
"Our mission is to assist those who are in domestic violence situations including physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse," Hodson said.
Every week the women complete a goal sheet with staff member's assistance, and discuss the tasks to reach goals.
When women come to the shelter, their mental health is fragile, and their self esteem is low and they worry if their children will be safe.
Women who leave the program use the shelter's outreach program where advocates keep in contact to support them.
There also is an outreach program for women who have used their 45 days, but need help with referrals in the community.
The average stay for women at the shelter is 17 to 18 days, and the longest stay for women is 45 days.
"We are not a transitional housing program or a homeless shelter, so we try to adhere to 45 days," Hodson said.
She said there are some exceptions if a women is working with a housing authority to secure housing. The time is extended to help them with transitioning to make sure they have a place to stay.
Those who stay at the shelter have curfews and are assisted with finding transportation or job referrals.
"A lot of women who are in an abusive situation are economically dependent on their abuser, and so we encourage them to seek help with their resume, but it is up to the women to take the reins and run with them," Hodson said.
Hodson said the shelter is always in need of hygiene products and cleaning supply donations. Clothing donations for women and children also are needed.
Volunteers also are needed to help inventory donations, provide transportation services, and read to the children who stay at the home while their mother is in a support group.
Temporary volunteers can be accepted by doing a confidentiality agreement, and long- term volunteers are asked to go through six-hour training to learn about abuse and interacting with clients.
To find out more information about the shelter or to make donations, call 574-267-7701 or in Marshall County, call the hotline at 574-936-6006 or visit thebeamanhome.org
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