First Steps To Heal
We are a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization specifically designed to provide immediate assistance to no/low-income domestic violence survivors who need to escape a violent situation.
We serve all survivors of intimate partner violence with minor children that reside in Westchester County and surrounding areas.
Unfortunately domestic violence is on the rise - and in a conscience effort to be an advocate for change our nonprofit was formed.
When survivors need a place to stay to help them escape a violent situation -
we will be there to help.
The Problem
Intimate partner violence is on the rise locally and nationwide. As more and more domestic violence survivors seek refuge - our local victims shelters are rapidly reaching full-capacity. Many shelters are currently at full-capacity being that they can only house a limited number of people. So what option does a survivor with no-income have when there is no available space at their local victims shelter?
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They return to the abuser and
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They are subjected to further abuse or worse
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And unbeknownst to them, they subject their children to further psychological and emotional trauma
The Solution
First Steps To Heal solves this problem by providing immediate assistance to domestic violence survivors and to the shelters that serve them by:
Immediate Assistance
Emergency Shelter
Extended Shelter
We are ready 24/7 to answer the call of a survivor in need. No waiting days, weeks or months to know if your application was approved or not.
Funding paid directly to the hotel for immediate occupancy of an initial 2 week hotel stay.
For families that need more time to "get on their feet" we will provide an extended hotel stay. Specifically for survivors of intimate partner violence with no-income.
It Takes A Village ...
As a new nonprofit we can not achieve this alone, we need your help - help from our community! With strategic partnerships from local hotels in Westchester County, corporate sponsorships, grants and individual donations - We can minimize physical intimate partner abuse and prevent mental trauma in children subjected to said abuse.
We look forward to your feedback and greatly appreciate your contributions. Thank you so much for your support in helping First Steps To Heal get to the next level!
Sustainable Development
Through our advocacy efforts we remain conscious of the Department of Social and Economic Affairs - Sustainable Development. Of the 17 goals, First Steps To Heal has a dedicated focus on 3 Sustainable Development Goals.
❤︎ No Poverty ❤︎ Good Health & Well-Being ❤︎ Gender Equality ❤︎
No Poverty: First Steps To Heal will meet our No Poverty Goal by ensuring no/low-income women and men domestic violence survivors have equal access to jobs in our community. We will accomplish this through partnerships with local employment agencies, job fairs, providing survivors with access to childcare, credit workshops as well as access to technology and electronics that will allow them to utilize the internet.
Good Health & Well-Being: With a direct and intense focus on Mental Health, we will meet our Good Health & Well-Being goal through partnership with the New York State Contact Tracing Initiative which will provide free masks and hand sanitizers for the duration of the Covid-19 era. By assisting survivors with enrolling in the NY State of Health - Official Health Plan Marketplace, no-income and low-income survivors can receive free quality health coverage. Also through our partnerships with Westchester Medical Center, My Sister's Place, and other agencies, survivors and their children will receive counseling and trauma therapy.
Gender Equality: A never-ending strive to achieve gender equality and to empower all women and girls is the heart and soul of our organization. At First Steps To Heal we serve all domestic violence survivors regardless of how they self identify. However, we strongly advocate to end all forms of violence against women and girls - with a specific focus on ending domestic intimate partner violence. We will meet our goal by providing emergency shelter when the need to escape a violent situation arises and by educating women on economic resources, homeownership and financial resources.
Please visit United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development to learn more on the 17 goals.
We ❤︎ Our Corporate Sponsors
We ❤︎ Partnerships
