2 minute read
HAVEN
By May Rico, Executive Director
Stanislaus Women's Refuge Center, Stanislaus Rape Task Force, Women's Center, Haven Women's Center of Stanislaus and now simply HAVEN.
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There are many names that have been associated with the organizations providing services to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Stanislaus County since the 1970s. By the early 90s, three different organizations had merged into Haven Women's Center of Stanislaus. That name served us well and defined who we were for almost thirty years.
Over the years our scope broadened to include all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse regardless of gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, and our name started to feel a little tight. Then it broadened again to include programming specifically geared to sex trafficking and exploitation, and stretched again to include labor trafficking. By then it felt like the name which had served us well for so long was holding us back. More importantly, our broader scope meant people who needed our services did not see themselves reflected in our name.
In shortening our name we have broadened our reach, so that anyone looking for Healthy Alternatives to Violent ENvironments due to the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking can know they are welcome. The name change process for a Nonprofit is not quick, and all the technical changes are still underway.
While all of that happens behind the scenes we felt it was important to change our public messaging as soon as possible, so that people who might need our help would not self select out of calling us.
Even through the pandemic, HAVEN has continued to serve an average of 2,000 survivors a year with services designed to address immediate safety needs and ongoing healing and empowerment at eight locations around the county. HAVEN'S school based Youth Prevention programming was able to continue services in very creative ways with the help of upgraded technology.
We were able to continue providing emergency shelter, one of our most vital services, in a way that reduced transmission risk while meeting immediate safety needs with the help of private donations, foundations, and government funding.
It is our sincere hope that by using our new name right away, more people will see us as a resource to help them decide what safety looks like for them and what the path looks like to get there.
All HAVEN's services can be accessed by calling our business line at (209) 524-4331 or our 24 hour crisis line at (209) 577-5980.
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