Domestic Abuse Resource Center HOTLINE 800-383-2988, Free and Confidential.
Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) is hosting Domestic Violence Awareness during the month of October. In Iowa and around the world, October is a month to create awareness around domestic violence, using the color purple to symbolize the cause. Throughout the month of October you will notice areas that…
Recent events have highlighted the prevalence of police brutality, the trauma of COVID-19 illness and resulting deaths which are disproportionately affecting people and communities of color. In response to this, Helping Services has stated that now and always, Black Lives Matter. We are always seeking ways where we work with communities of color in order…
Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center’s Crossroads Transitional Housing Program assists survivors to obtain safe housing and empowers them in order to grow and obtain self-sufficiency. Through the transitional housing program, trained advocates are able to assist seven survivors and their children for up to two years. Before survivors are approved in the program, they…
As an agency we continue to seek ways to better respond to survivors and needs within our community particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, our Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) applied and received a grant from the CARES Act passed by congress in response to COVID-19. This grant focuses on three main areas: Client needs…
Helping Services for Youth & Families’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center has implemented a Domestic Abuse survivor chat line, which can be reached at HelpingServices.org/chat. There is also the option to call our 24/7 resource phone line at 800-383-2988, but during the time of social distancing our advocates noticed a decline in calls. We responded by…
Domestic violence advocates know the important role that law enforcement plays in responding to victims in these often dangerous situations. As first responders to calls of domestic violence and sexual abuse, much of the system’s ability to keep victims safe and hold offenders accountable relies upon the initial response and investigations done by law enforcement…
Every January we are fortunate to partner with the Luther College social work course, “Crisis Intervention”, and provide our Victim Counselor Training. This collaboration came about as a way to offer the participants firsthand experience with crisis intervention, through volunteering with a victim service agency. While not all participants may pursue this volunteer opportunity, it…
Over the holidays the Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) staff work with clients to identify the wants and needs for them and their children to have a wonderful holiday season through The Giving Project. The gift requests ranged from a car seat to nerf guns and everything in between. Clients are grateful that…
Over the past three months we are grateful to our community for partnering with the Domestic Abuse Resource Center (DARC) to help raise awareness and funds to support survivors of domestic violence. Among many other generous donors, we would like to thank PIVO Brewery, Blepta Studios, Reefuel, Pulpit Rock Brewery, and Upper Iowa University SAAC…
Each year, the Domestic Abuse Resource Center team prepares for the warmer months as both the staff and volunteers know that calls to the resource line (800-383-2988) will be increasing. What is surprising is that the number of clients the advocates have assisted and the number of calls have continued to increase over the past…