Greenhouse Shelter

Greenhouse significantly enhance a woman's ability to establish independence from her abuser. Residents are encouraged to set their own goals and are provided with assistance in long term planning. We provide legal advocacy including guidance and referral to initiate separation from batterers, assistance with custody cases, divorce proceedings, acquiring orders of protection and filing police reports, or if practical, securing a commitment from their partner to end abuse and to seek counseling. Stays at Greenhouse are limited  to 120 days during which time residents are encouraged and advised in restructuring their lives, finding affordable and secure housing, employment and child care. Greenhouse staff promotes the development of  residents' life-skills with in-services such as diet & nutrition, budget planning and effective parenting skills.

               Greenhouse also addresses the effects of domestic violence on children through intensive programming and                counseling. A child's suffering begins as witness and, in some cases, as subjects of abuse. For children, the                transitional period when their mother leaves an abusive relationship adds further turmoil as they leave behind                friends, school and possessions. Mothers often arrive at Greenhouse with children dressed only in pajamas and                wrapped in blankets.

               CAWC recognizes and responds to the individual needs of our clients with culturally and linguistically sensitive                service provision. Our multi-ethnic staff and volunteers provide service in many languages including: English,                French, Polish, Spanish, Portugese, Urdu, Arabic Ukrainian, as well as American Sign Language. Moreover,                Greenhouse is accessible to wheelchairs or physically disabled clients and provides TTY service for hearing                impaired hotline callers.

               All services are free and confidential.

               During FY07, 62% of Greenhouse residents were children. Greenhouse is one of two shelters in this region to                accept male children of battered women up to the age of 18.

               The propensity for intergenerational and learned abusive behavior mandates programmatic interventions to break                the cycle of violence. Greenhouse Shelter addresses the specific needs of child residents through counseling,                anger management, non-violent conflict resolution and art therapy programs.