Statistics show that nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In addition, one woman is battered every 15 seconds. There are approximately 100,000 women in Elkhart County. This means that 33,000 women have been or will be physically, verbally, or sexually abused in Elkhart County alone. We hope to change that. The New Start Home will be more than a safe, temporary home; it will be a retraining facility. We will teach women how to get out and stay out of abusive situations. Our facility in downtown Elkhart provides safe housing for women for as many as six to nine months. Residents will receive two meals a day, showers, personal hygiene items, and laundry facilities. Mentorship and life skills classes are provided. Classes include budgeting and finance, establishing safe boundaries, crisis intervention, and community education classes. Additionally, the New Start Home will provide job placement assistance for residents and help them acquire permanent housing solutions once they exit the home.
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