Shelter Services

The Shelter offers a variety of services designed to empower victims of domestic violence and to create a community of support.

Shelter: The Shelter for Help in Emergency offers emergency, temporary housing to victims of domestic violence in need of safety. There are 20 beds available and priority is given to residents of Planning District Ten, which encompasses the city of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson. Maximum stays at the Shelter are six weeks, with each stay evaluated in terms of the client's danger level.

24-Hour Hotline: The Shelter for Help in Emergency operates a 24-hour hotline for victims and survivors who need a safe place to talk, and for families and friends of survivors who may seek information to help their loved one. The hotline number is 434-293-8509 V/TTY (collect calls accepted). Language interpretation is available.

Counseling: The Shelter provides free individual and group counseling to residents of the Shelter and to any community member seeking assistance in dealing with domestic violence. Support groups, including a Women in Transition group, are offered to any community member periodically throughout the year.

Case Management: Shelter staff work with victims and survivors to build a large and diverse safety net of support and to help them access community resources such as housing, employment, child care, substance abuse treatment, clothing, and food.

Children's Programs: An important step in breaking the cycle of abuse is to work with children and adolescents who have witnessed domestic violence. Structured group and individual therapeutic sessions for children and adolescents, as well as support for parents helps families to overcome domestic violence.

Legal Advocacy: While the Shelter does not employ a lawyer, staff members are available to assist victims of domestic violence in navigating the legal system. Advocates can assist victims in obtaining protective orders and can provide court accompaniment. These services are offered to residents of the Shelter and to any community member.

Services for the Spanish-speaking Community: Recognizing the need to reach this growing population, the Shelter for Help in Emergency is able to provide a Spanish-speaking advocate for counseling and outreach to those for whom English is a barrier.

Transitional Housing: In partnership with Trinity Episcopal Church, the Shelter for Help in Emergency is able to offer transitional housing units for families moving from emergency shelter to permanent housing.

Pet-Safe: Our Pet-Safe Foster Program allows our clients to take their pets with them when they seek emergency shelter. We are seeking volunteers who are willing to foster an animal in their home on a temporary basis. By providing kindness and care you can make a difference to an animal in need. Your compassion also provides the animal's owner with peace of mind, and allows the individual time to seek counseling, develop new personal and professional skills, as well as increase self-esteem and independence.

Educational Programs: The mission of the Shelter for Help in Emergency is to end domestic violence in our community. With that goal in mind, Shelter staff provide free educational programs to civic organizations, schools, workplaces, allied professionals, the faith community and any other community group that may request a training. The Shelter also co-sponsors with the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA), the teen peer education program VIVA, Voices for Interpersonal Violence Alternatives. VIVA utilizes theater to bring the issues of dating violence and sexual assault to middle and high school students.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Shelter offers many volunteer opportunities for those in the community interested in helping with this important issue. Click here to see Ways You Can Help.

FAQ: More questions? Click here to see frequently asked questions.