When home is no longer safe, where can families in need turn? This is a question faced far too often by staff members at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation House of Hope, who while able to offer support services to victims fleeing domestic violence, do not have a physical shelter to host those same individuals.
It’s a common misunderstanding that oftentimes does more harm than good, providing those having their worst days a sense of hope before it’s dashed away.
“When that issue arises, we will assist the client in locating shelter,” explained Amanda Chapman of the House of Hope. “It has been frustrating at times, because typically local shelters are full.”
Through the use of a grant funding opportunity from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Service, the absence of such a shelter may be a thing of the past. As part of its five year long implementation of its domestic violence prevention initiative, the House of Hope will soon have a fully staffed shelter for victims fleeing domestic violence. Construction of a shelter under the direction of the House of Hope will move forward. In addition, there will be two full time prevention specialists and one part time shelter staff member. The funds will be used to provide assistance to women who are the victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.
Staff will partner with the Pottawatomie County Coordinated Community Response team to establish policies and procedures to further these goals. Women at the shelter will also be able to participate in exercises and courses designed to help heal the wounds, both mental and physical, that they have sustained, including monthly visits to the One Day Ranch in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma. For more information on the Citizen Potawatomi Nation House of Hope, please visit cpn.news/hope or call 405-878-HOPE.