Branch County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is an agency that has been in existence for over thirty years. We are committed to providing emergency response and supportive services to victims of violence and advocating for changes that will break the cycle of violence in our society.
That is a mouthful…but what does that mean. It means not only do we provide services such as emergency and transitional housing programs for survivors but we also want to change the way that abuse is perceived in our community. We are asking our community to step up… say no more of the “It’s not my business mentality”. We are asking that you be that person that makes it their business by saying something when they see something. We want you to let us help you educate yourself by coming to community trainings, educate your family, friends and neighbors about what you know as well as being that empathetic listener to those going through one of these traumatic events. We are not just asking the community members not going through these events to be educated but we are also educating survivors on how they can choose to move forward on their goals free of judgment and on their own terms.
We follow our mission by trying a variety of creative methods to educate our community. Some of these include the following:
278-SAFE Crisis Line - This is a 24/7/365 crisis line which also houses an information and referral line for our community. If you have a need – you can call
A3 program – The program takes the concept of
- Be Aware
- Accept Responsibility
- Act Appropriately
and tries to educate our youth in the schools by providing them tools they need to move forward with knowledge on what is acceptable and expected. It is only because we allow abuse and bad behavior that we continue to have issues.
This program is currently in Coldwater, Pansophia & Quincy and we have implemented a body safety program in Bronson as well.
Strengthening Families - This is an evidence based Parenting Education program that includes the whole family. This starts again in June 6
th
Darkness to Light – This is a 2.5 hour program to educate a person on what they can do to assist in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Our next class will be on June 5
th from 5:00 – 7:30.
Getting Ahead Program – This is a financial literacy program based upon your environment and where you came from. It gives tools for the family to set their own goals and move forward with the education that we provide to determine what success is for their own family. This next class starts June 18
th.
Empathy Experiment – We are very proud of this newest addition to our BCCADSV family. This gives an opportunity in a safe way for survivors to tell their stories but also allows others to hopefully understand why we need to continue making change in our society to not accept abuse.
We will have the Empathy Experiment at Strawberry Fest June 16
th.
Healing Hill of Hope: Although this is an Early Bird Exchange Program it is something that we feel very strongly about promoting. We have a presentation and a hill of flags in front of the Naomi Davis Shelterhouse. Each full size American flag represents one substantiated case of child abuse in our county last year. There were 250. There will also be Child Abuse Prevention Flags representing each child placed in foster care in our county last year. There were 75. We are trying to advocate for these children and these families. They need your help to be educated and continue watching for signs of abuse and be that person that made the call, stepped up and stepped in.
-This event is June 28
th at 220 N. Michigan Avenue 11:00am.
These are extra things but know that we have continual support groups for women, men, children and caregivers. We have counseling services and advocacy for both residential and non-residential survivors. We offer legal advocacy and court accompaniment as well as having a crisis interventionist on staff.
Our staff is committed to being here to support survivors as well as change our society where abuse is no longer accepted or tolerated.
Please join us!
Please go on our website
www.278safe.com
Our facebook at
www.facebook.com/278safe
Our 24 hour crisis line at 517.278.SAFE(7233)
Or our text line at 517.227.0230
Reach out to us – we are here for your needs – but we need you to help!