Domestic Violence Services

Grace Smith House has been providing services to battered women and their children since 1981. In its first 20 years, the agency sheltered over 2,300 women and more than 1,800 children. These numbers do not include the many thousands of hotline callers who have received counseling and support from committed agency staff through the years.

Our services include advocacy with the legal system and the Department of Social Services, assistance with housing and employment issues and referrals to legal, medical and mental health resources.

Crisis Intervention: Telephone hotline and individual support as women make the decision to leave. Protection: Anonymous shelter locations with trained staff present around the clock. Room and Board: Family atmosphere maintained with personal items provided. Residents plan meals and share housekeeping. Counseling and Advocacy: Assistance with police, courts, social services, employment, housing, and other community agencies. Substance Abuse Counseling: Assessment, counseling and referrals for Shelter and Brookhaven residents affected by chemical dependency issues. Latina Outreach: Bilingual Latina Workers coordinate services for Latina families affected by domestic violence, help with language and cultural issues, and collaborate with outside agencies. Children's Programs:Child advocates dedicated to the needs of our youngest clients provide structured after-school activities, pre-schooler play groups, and coordination with schools and agencies. Support Groups: Trained counselors facilitate groups for women and children to help them acknowledge their experiences of violence and learn non-violent methods of problem solving and communication. Non-Residential Services and Support: Women who are still in the early stages of dealing with an abusive relationship and are not ready to choose shelter may still receive advocacy, referrals and support through the Non-Residential Program.