Home Should Be Safe for Everyone

Have you ever felt unsafe in your home? Individuals and families living in homes where domestic violence occurs often feel unsafe and unsure where to go or who to turn to. When making the choice to leave an abusive relationship knowing that you are going to a safe, welcoming place may make the process of leaving easier.

Providing emergency shelter is one of Journey Center’s key services, and it is the only shelter in Cuyahoga County where domestic violence victims have access to comprehensive services tailored to their specific needs. Services are provided 24-hours a day for individuals and their children who are in need of immediate relief from violence and abuse.

The ability to access secure shelter is literally a matter of life and death for many victims—a 2017 Centers for Disease Control study reports that 55% of all female homicides in the United States are a result of intimate partner violence.

To address this need, Journey has provided shelter services for nearly five decades.
Our shelter provides a warm, home-like atmosphere, where families can be comfortable and can begin to feel safe. Once settled, safety becomes the top priority of the program and our practices are designed to enhance safety and confidentiality throughout an individual’s stay. Access to the full suite of trauma-informed services for survivors and their families include support groups, art therapy, personal advocacy, legal assistance, linkage to housing, and other services as needed.

In addition to shelter services, Journey Center recognizes that safe housing is an important step in keeping individuals and families safe. Journey Center is proud to be part of the Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative (DVHFI) alongside EDEN, FrontLine Service, Jewish Family Service Association, and Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.

The DVHFI program provides short-term emergency housing assistance for individuals or families actively fleeing domestic violence. In addition to housing assistance, individuals are also connected to a community advocate who works alongside them to make their transition as comfortable and helpful to their healing as possible.

Journey Center's Shelter serves over 350 adults and children annually who are seeking a safe and violence-free life. To learn more, click here or to help support individuals in need of shelter, click here.