The first of its kind in Oregon:
A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SURVIVOR-LED RECOVERY PROGRAM
Our Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor program supports the unique needs of survivors facing addiction. Launched in 2018, it is the first of its kind in the state!

In response to greater need than ever, last year our team doubled to 4 outstanding mentors who each share the lived experience of surviving abuse and being in recovery themselves.

Mentors know firsthand how abusers utilize addiction and substances as tactics of control, isolating survivors from loved ones, limiting their access to treatment, and sabotaging attempts at recovery.

Read on to hear directly from one of our incredible mentors Ashley about how she and fellow advocates support survivors every day.
FROM AN ADVOCATE'S PERSPECTIVE:
In Ashley's Words
“Honestly, it’s hard to believe, but after knowing a person for just a couple weeks, their lives can make a complete 180, just from having an advocate reach out and offer support. It’s incredible.
Recently, we helped a survivor, S.J.,* who was in recovery. She had thought of relapsing and going back to her abuser because she was so scared and alone and struggling. We reminded S.J. of all the reasons why she left, why she got sober, and the promises she made to her kids and to herself.

Later S.J. texted me, ‘Thank you so much Ashley for believing in me! I’m sober today and have altered the trajectory of my family all because of your support.’

At Raphael House, we’re here when survivors first take steps to leave their abuser, and we stay alongside them with ongoing help, so they can have some structure when everything else is changing – especially when things feel impossible to do alone.

I’m right where I need to be – at this intersection between domestic violence and addiction. Getting to do this every day is my favorite thing in the world.”

Ashley Ann Cook, CRM/PSS
Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor

*We've changed key details to protect S.J.'s confidentiality.
Shaykeishya's Survivor Story
Meet another extraordinary member of our Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor team in this short video!
Seeking volunteers!
Do you want to help survivors of domestic violence get critical supplies? Apply to become a Donation Drop-off volunteer today!

We need several committed helpers to rotate coverage of our twice-monthly donation events in SE Portland.

Volunteers greet our wonderful donors, check that the items they would like to contribute are ones we can accept, and provide a receipt.
Learn more about how supportive services – like our Domestic Violence Recovery Mentor program – are changing survivors' lives in our Spring Impact Report.
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