Pueblo YWCA Family Crisis Shelter

The YWCA in Pueblo, Colorado houses the Family Crisis Shelter, a facility for battered women and their children. The Child/Adolescent Witness to Domestic Violence Program became a part of the Family Crisis Program in 1999.
 
There is a tendency in law and policy to compartmentalize issues and address domestic violence as either a women’s issue or a criminal justice issue separate from the concerns of the safety and welfare of children. There are laws, protection orders, shelters and counseling specifically designed for victims of abuse. The abusers also have the law and treatment programs mandated for them. Yet when it comes to the children who witness domestic violence, they are last on the list to be recognized as victims. Children are at the mercy of their parents' choices, whether it means the victim parent staying in the abusive environment or the abusive parent using the children as pawns. The research and statistics on children who witness domestic violence document the negative impact, however, the progress is slow to address the needs of these young victims.

“Children’s Program”

• The Pueblo YWCA provides intervention for both shelter children and children in the community. For the shelter children, an appointment with the mother and the child is scheduled within the first few days following their arrival.

• At the first session, the child is provided with a brand new backpack including school supplies, a quilt, teddy bear, personal items, and a workbook developed by the YWCA staff. The workbook helps the children learn about shelter living and provides domestic violence information. There is also safety planning included.

• Weekly or bi-weekly appointments are scheduled for the shelter children focusing on breaking the secret, dealing with feelings, learning that family violence is an adult issue, and safety. The YWCA offers a therapeutic support group for these children.

• In order to provide some sense of normalcy in an abnormal situation, the children must attend day care or local schools during the day and are encouraged to join Family Swim Night. Mothers are offered parenting skills counseling, case management and supportive services.

Length of shelter stay is based on the woman’s ability to follow the rules which are designed to provide for safety, security and recovery from trauma.
 
All services are provided at no cost.
 
The YWCA Family Crisis Shelter provides mandatory protection order counseling required by the Courts when a client is seeking to have the “no contact” portion of a protection order voluntarily dropped. The children are included in the last of these mandatory sessions. The adult completes a workbook that outlines the cycle of violence with a strong component on the effects of family violence on children. The children also complete a workbook in which they are able to express their feelings about the violence experienced in the home.
 
Nonresident counseling is offered to any child in the community exposed to family violence, contingent upon the victim parent’s involvement in the counseling program. The workbooks created for the victim parent in counseling focus on the following topics:

• Partner assessment
• Journaling
• Cycle of Violence
• Definitions
• Children
• Grieving Relationships
• Safety Plan

“Strong Girls Program”

The Strong Girls Club is a program at the YWCA for girls ages 6-12 who witnessed domestic violence. This 8-week program teaches the girls coping skills, empowerment skills, and the signs of a healthy relationship. The YWCA also offers, Safe Dates, a dating violence prevention program and an After Strong Girls Club Program.
 
The program is recognized and supported by Pueblo judges, GALs, and the Department of Social Services.
 
For more information, contact:

YWCA Family Crisis Shelter
801 North Santa Fe Avenue
Pueblo, CO  81003
719/545-8195