Being an advocate is a unique experience to see the people I work with grow through their process. Domestic violence is not something easy to talk about with family or even friends, but our Support Group offers what they need when they need it, and provides an environment for each person to share their experiences or concerns.

At Journey Center, we believe that everyone deserves to live in a safe environment, free from fear and abuse. Our mission aligns perfectly with the White Ribbon Campaign, which is the largest global initiative focused on men working to end violence against women. Together, we are committed to making a significant impact by promoting awareness, education, and community engagement.

Our 24-Hour Helpline, and Helpline Advocates are, - first and foremost - a space where survivors can go to seek safety, receive emotional support, and connections to resources. As Helpline Advocates, we actively listen to an individual’s story to help determine how we can best work with them and their unique needs and circumstances.

The holidays can be a bittersweet time for many, but for survivors of domestic violence, it can be particularly challenging. It's essential to prioritize your well-being during this season. Here are some tips to help you navigate the holidays with resilience and strength.

Youth Advocates provide daily groups and activities for children in our Shelter, providing an opportunity to feel safe while residing Shelter and learning healthy skills to cope and process their experiences. Groups include a Journaling Group, Homework Club, Open Art Studio, Music Exploration, and Sensory Group. Additionally, Youth Advocates plan birthday parties for all children, and have a “Ticket Store” for youth, which is an opportunity for children to earn tickets and make a purchase at the “Ticket Store”.

In a world that often prioritizes productivity over well-being, the concept of self-care can feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. While it may seem simple, many find it challenging to prioritize self-care. Let’s explore why self-care is important and how you can incorporate it positively into your life.

Whether someone is in their relationship, has left, or is unsure what steps they will take—we are here. However, friends and family are an important support as well. How can you provide support to someone you love and care about?

Victims stay for a variety of reasons; and it’s important to remember that their decision-making process often involves numerous factors rooted in fear, love, hope, and survival. Understanding these dynamics is necessary for supporting survivors and encouraging a more caring and supportive conversation about domestic violence.

Recognizing domestic violence is an essential step in addressing and preventing this issue that affects individuals across all demographics and communities. It’s often displayed in various forms, including physical, emotional, financial, digital, and sexual. Recognizing these forms of abuse and being able to spot red flags and warning signs of abuse is the first step toward breaking the cycle and seeking help.

At its core, domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to gain and maintain power and control over another. To better understand the different types of domestic violence, let's explore its various forms: verbal and emotional abuse, financial abuse, digital abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

Friendships among women hold a unique place in our social circles. These relationships provide essential emotional support, shared experiences, and a great understanding that can only come from those who have faced similar challenges. Women’s friendships can be particularly critical during times of stress, personal transformation, or loss. A friend can lend an empathetic ear or offer advice and encouragement.

As a Bilingual Community Advocate with Journey Center’s Latina Domestic Violence Project, I look forward to coming into work each day grateful that I can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in our community.

Everyone has a role to play in helping to end domestic violence. If you suspect abuse or have witnessed a family member being abusive in their relationship, it can be difficult to know what to do. You may love your family member, but you know that what they’re doing is harmful to their partner. You may want to help but are scared to lose the relationship with them or you may feel as though it is not your place to step in.

Monday is typically a day full of contacting clients, checking in and seeing how clients are doing, connecting them with services and resources, and completing intakes for our Education Classes. With that comes documentation and entering information into our database. Monday is also the day I prepare for all the classes (Domestic Violence Education Classes and ACT Parenting) that I have for the remainder of the week.

No two days in Shelter are alike. The only thing you know for certain walking through the doors of the Shelter is that you will be helping other human beings work through one of the hardest things one can experience. It all starts with a call.

I start my day with a mix of engaging with clients and preparing for my shift. As I walk in the front doors of Shelter, I interact with the children and parents by saying “hi” or asking how their day is going before heading to the office for our shift change.

While Pride Month often serves as a fun, vibrant celebration, it can also be an opportunity to recognize and support those in the LGBTQIA+ community who are victims and survivors of abuse. Domestic violence is not limited to heterosexual relationships and can affect individuals of all sexual orientations and genders. Within the LGBTQIA+ community, domestic violence occurs at a rate equal to or even higher than that of the heterosexual community.