24 HOUR CRISIS LINE
Get help NOW, call our 24 hour crisis line! 770-954-9229.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911

Haven House Main Office
Monday - Friday
8am - 5pm
770-954-1008 phone
770-954-9203 fax

 

Shelter Intake Process/ What to Expect Upon Entering the Shelter

Getting Away and Getting to Haven House

Securing Food and Shelter

Lifestyle Transportation (work, doctor’s appointments, schools)

Meeting Your Routine Obligations (work, financial obligations, school, etc.)

What About My Kids? Haven House Children’s Programs

Most parents believe that their children are not aware of the physical violence occurring in the home. In fact, most children can recount blow by blow specifics of domestic violence that occurs in their homes.  The truth is, regardless of how much parents try to shield them from the truth, children carry the secrets of their parents.  According to the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), how this may affect their lives is even more frightening.  The CDF reports that children who witness violence at home are more at risk for anxiety related illnesses such as withdrawal, hypervigilence, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder.  Children who have observed instances of domestic violence are more likely to have difficulty concentrating in school and a have a higher rate of absenteeism.  

Most studies agree that when mom is battered, so are the children.  In more than 60% of the homes where spousal abuse is present authorities agree that the children are also being abused.  So what can parents and children do to protect themselves?  

COPE Program
You may be concerned with how your children are dealing with the violence in your home.  Many parents notice the children are acting out, experiencing nightmares, having difficulty in school and appearing to be worried or fearful.   The COPE Program will help your child through this difficult time.  Social Service Workers will be happy to meet with your child at school to give them an opportunity to talk.  A Service Worker will help them feel safe and provide the extra support children need.  Let us help you to give them the little extra TLC they need.

DFCS – Child Protective Service Collaboration
Police are required by law to refer a child to DFCS Child Protective Services any child that is a first-hand witness to violence in the family.  This referral is made to insure that the child is not hurt and that the custodial parent will be able to insure the child’s continued safety.  Some families feel afraid and unsure when DFCS becomes involved.  Haven House helps parents understand and meet the DFCS requirements for their child’s protection.   

Legal/Advocacy
Have you been the victim of physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner within the past 30 days? Or threatened with a weapon? If you answered yes, then you may be able to obtain a Temporary Protective Order. A Legal Advocate will be happy to answer your questions, please call 770-954-9229. There is no charge for this service.
What to bring with you to our office:

• Please apply for a TPO in the abusive partner’s county of residence
• Abuser’s current address
• Place of employment
• Any identifying information (Soc. Security #, Date of Birth, Car color & make, License #)
• Be cautious… read Safety Planning

Pregnant Women’s Support
Many women find themselves in a frightening situation during pregnancy.  Pregnant residents of haven House will find a kind, supportive environment where you can prepare for the birth in safety.  Individual baby care training and newborn equipment are available to assist you.

Safety Planning
Careful Safety Planning is very important. When you decide you are ready to get help planning ahead will make you and your children leave safely.

• Using Your Judgment:
  • When I expect my partner and I are going to argue, I will try to move to a space that is lowest risk, such as _________________________________________
  • I will use my judgment and intuition. If the situation is very serious, I can give my partner what he wants to try and calm him down. I have to protect myself until we are out of danger.
  • I will teach these strategies to my children and teach them to call 911.
    
    
• Planning to Leave:
  When you decide you are ready to get help planning ahead will make you and your children leave safely. Gather these items and keep them at a friend/relative or a place that will be easy
  for you to get to in an emergency.
  • Identification
  • All birth certificates, marriage and divorce decrees
  • Social security numbers
  • School and vaccination records
  • Cash, checkbook, bank books, debit (ATM cards), credit cards
  • Medications and insurance cards
  • Keys to house and car
  • Car registration and insurance papers
  • Food Stamps, Medicaid and TANF cards
  • Passports, green cards, work permits
  • Lease, rental agreement, house deed
  • Car and mortgage payment book (or payment addresses & account numbers)
  • Children’s favorite toys and security blankets or stuffed animal
  • Photographs and sentimental items
  • Clothing and personal hygiene items
  • Address book

Safety Planning for Children

Stay Out of the Fight
Avoid getting trapped in a small room or closet, or the kitchen
Find a phone. If you can get to one safely, call 911 for help and stay on the phone.
Escape to a safe place.  Find a relative or neighbor and ask for help.

The Next Steps
Making the difficult choice to leave is scary and Haven House can help ease the fear. Moving into the shelter temporarily will allow time to heal both physically and emotionally, find employment and save money. When the time is right Haven House staff can help by providing furnishings and in some cases help with housing or utility deposits.

Food Pantry
Haven House keeps a food pantry to help families close the gap when food stamps and cash fall short. Call or come by the office for assistance. Non perishable food items, paper goods and personal care donations are always welcome.

School Supplies
A good start in school is so important. Summer school supply drives at various churches and civic groups make it possible for Haven House to provide a school store where students can select items from their school lists. Children may come by to select what they need the week before school begins.

Housing Assistance

Furnishings- Through donations of furniture and household goods to our Blessings Thrift Store Haven House is able to provide necessities of living. Blessings Thrift Store accepts donations of gently used sofas, tables & chairs and beds & dressers. Towels, sheets, dishes and cookware are always needed to help families restart their lives.

Mortgage/Rental Assistance- When available Haven House will assist families paying rental and utility deposits for their new residence. If parent is gainfully employed a Social Service Worker will assist in working a budget together and develop a plan for living independently.

Blessings Thrift Store

Blessings Thrift Store Store Hours
Tuesday – Saturday 9:00AM- 4:00PM

86 Work Camp Road
McDonough, GA 30253
770-288-6503

Blessings Thrift Store accepts donations of gently used clothing, furniture, household goods, seasonal items, and baby equipment. Donations are accepted during regular business hours. Be sure to stop in and shop. Proceeds from Blessings Thrift Store are used to help fund Haven House’s Children’s programming.

Community Education - Breaking the Cycle
Coming soon

CPS/DFACS Advisement for family violence victims
Coming soon

Stalking Victim Awareness/ Assistance
Coming soon

Individual therapy
Coming soon