Brookhaven & Second Stage Housing for Victims of Domestic Violence

Staff learned early on that the families emerging from our shelters needed safe, affordable housing with support services to break the cycle of violence and homelessness. In 1988-89, Grace Smith House developed post-shelter housing, opening 15 supportive apartments known as Brookhaven. Three of the apartments are second stage housing.

With Brookhaven came the expansion of the Non-Residential Program to include three staff members and an apartment manager. All families living at Brookhaven take part in the Non-Residential Program. The adults agree to come to tenant's meetings, support groups, and to set monthly goals with individual counselors.

The issues most often worked on among tenants are safety, learning about the effects of domestic violence, cooperation, support, diversity issues, non-violent conflict solving, parenting, drug and alcohol issues, and new relationships.