Community

“You can take a child out of a violent environment but it will take years to take the violent environment out of the child. Every year more than 3 million children witness family violence and the cycle is handed down from one generation to the next. This familial learning imprints and leaves permanent scars in the hearts where innocence once lived. Family violence is literally beating the hope, joy and love out of our kids. Traumatized children and the emotional complications that result are heavily costing society.” From CHANCE – Changing How Adults Nurture Children’s Egos.

Samaritan House is the largest domestic violence shelter program in Virginia. We provide a safe place for children and their parents who have fled a violent home environment or need help recovering from homelessness through a residential shelter program and supportive aftercare services. Many of our clients are children, with the average age of a person in shelter being 11, who are often the unintended victims who may not have been physically abused themselves but have been emotionally and physically wounded by witnessing violence in their home.

Next, the Advocate will develop an individual service plan to help the child meet social, emotional and physical needs during their stay. Children and teens also complete a safety plan with their Advocate. All age appropriate children are taught safety with the acronym S.A.F.E. This is an easy way for children to remember to Stay away from danger, Avoid getting trapped, Find a phone and Escape to a safe place.
The children and their parents attend weekly meetings with their Children’s Advocate. Advocates may refer them to health, mental health, and childcare agencies. They may also assist the family with school enrollment and transportation arrangements if needed. Advocates also help clients meet other basic needs such as diapers, formula and baby food.

Many of our youthful clients need to see positive role models to help them understand that the violent, chaotic environment they have been living in isn’t normal or healthy; that there are different ways to live and to respond to events and emotions. The children and teens attend a weekly support group that offers topics on healthy relationships, positive decision making and staying safe in their community. The Advocates know that support groups give children and teens a chance to work through their experiences with peers and with objective, caring adults. The Advocates are available to talk to the children about any questions or concerns they have. The youth also have the opportunity to spend time with our dedicated volunteers that help provide therapeutic care, arts and crafts and reading groups.

During the summer, Samaritan House is able to offer a teen summer camp for clients in the shelter and transitional housing programs. Summer Camp gives the teens a positive opportunity to learn about healthy relationships while being with other teens their age and responsible, caring adults. Because of help from generous community donors and volunteers, the teens are able to go on outings. Outings include activities such as bowling, beach time, museums, sporting events and other educational and recreational activities that they normally may not have an opportunity to experience.

Once a week, the Children’s Advocates also run a community support group. This group is for women in the community who have been in the past or are presently in domestic violence situations. The women are able to talk with our Advocates and other women who understand their issues. They may also ask for counseling referrals if needed.
Without the help of community donors, Samaritan House would not be able to offer these many opportunities to work with the youth and help teach them different ways to create normalcy in their own lives and break the cycle of violence.

When a child has a birthday, they are given a birthday present to help them celebrate what must otherwise seem like a difficult, confusing time. These presents are all donated and may include toys, craft items and gift cards. Community groups and individuals also donate holiday food and gifts for children and their parents throughout the year. Additionally, our clothes closet is maintained all through generous donations and volunteer efforts.

If you’d like to learn more about how Samaritan House is changing lives by providing “Hope, Healing & Change”, we invite you to come and take a tour of our facilities.

We hold regular tours the first and third Thursday of each month from 11 am to 12 noon. Please RSVP your atten
dance to Cynthia James at (757) 631-0710, ext. 280 or email cynthiaj@samaritanhouseva.org

You may also visit our website at www.samaritanhouseva.org to learn how you can help our children and families in need.

If you or someone you know needs help please call our 24 hour crisis hotline: 757-430-2120