Programs

Shelter
The shelter provides emergency care for women and children who are victims of family violence, sexual assault and homelessness. Memorandums of Agreement are in place with local men's homeless shelters if a male victim of violence seeks services.

Crisis Line
Twenty-four hour crisis line services are maintained 365 days a year through the shelter program. Crisis line services include listening, support and referral.

Sexual Assault
Sexual assault services consist of on-call crisis response and advocacy for adult victims of rape and sexual assault as well as prevention programs. Prevention services for middle schools and high schools are provided through collaboration with Purdue University, the Indiana Communities Against Rape Initiative (CARe).

Children's Services
Children's services include Kid's Place, an in-shelter weekday preschool program; case management; children's support and educational groups; school advocacy; tutoring; substance abuse prevention; parenting services; individual advocacy and support; and recreational opportunities. Children's services are enhanced through a partnership with Anderson Community Schools that includes Kid Connection, an after-school and weekday summer program for elementary aged children. Comprehensive services are provided for children residing within Alternatives and any of Anderson's homeless shelters. Programming is aimed at increasing children's school attendance and performance; expanding community connections for children and their families; enriching children's self-esteem, basic life skills, and decision-making capabilities; and improvement of children's health and nutrition. Children may continue services up to six months after leaving the shelter.

Talking About Touching
Talking About Touching is a personal safety program for preschool and elementary-aged children. The program utilizes curriculums developed by the nationally renowned Committee for Children in Seattle, Washington. The curriculum ranges from seat belt safety and crossing the street instruction to safe, unsafe and confusing touches. Children are provided with opportunities for building assertiveness and problem-solving skills.

Outreach
Outreach services include 24-Hour crisis response for both domestic violence and sexual assault; on-site advocacy at hospitals and healthcare facilities; support and referral; Empty Place at the Table display; health fairs; conferences and workshops.

Education and Training
Education and training services include general community awareness presentations; workplace training; healthcare training; clergy training and certified law enforcement training in both sexual assault and domestic violence.