From our Executive Director
Three years ago, South Valley Services instituted the Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) program to support domestic violence survivors in retaining housing and preventing homelessness. With our services, clients do not have to choose between becoming homeless or returning to their abuser.
The DVHF model connects survivors to housing and shelter as quickly as possible without preconditions to entry. Our wrap-around services empower survivors with the primary life skills they need to become self-sufficient, lead them out of homelessness, and live an empowered life free from abuse. SVS's approach has been shown to promote long-term stability, safety, and well-being for survivors and their children.
We began our DVHF model with $6,000 through our Survivor Resiliency fund, which was donated by a private donor and a grant award from the Department of Workforce Services for $17,886.24 in rental assistance. We reached 59 families and immediately saw the impact of safe and affordable housing on income, safety, employment, and long-term stability for survivors.
Over the past three years, we have provided $237,691.10 in housing assistance to domestic and sexual assault survivors. We have served 327 families and have seen the difference in all of their lives.
We are committed to growing our housing program, and we need your help. We need individuals to donate to our Survivor Resiliency Fund. These dollars allow us to remove barriers from individuals that have been impacted by violence.
If you would like to donate, you can access our secure donor page by clicking here. You can also send a check (address in the footer).
If you would like to hear more about our DVHF model, please email me. I would be happy to share more about what we do. Please know that we could not provide these life-changing services to clients without your continued support.
Jen