Tri-Valley Haven

Creates homes safe from abuse by offering a domestic violence shelter for women and children, a rape crisis center, a homeless shelter for families and a food pantry.

Why do we exist?

We provide services to adults and children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or homelessness, and prevention education to the community. Our services include a 24-hour crisis line, 30-bed domestic violence shelter, affordable counseling, rape crisis response, low-cost restraining orders and community education. Homeless services include a food pantry, coordination of a mobile clinic and a shelter for homeless families.

Domestic violence and sexual assault affect all of us. Studies by the Department of Justice and other agencies indicate that one in four young women and at least one in six young men have experienced some form of sexual assault or abuse by age 18. One in 12 American women will be stalked, most likely by a current or former romantic partner. Depending on where you live in the U.S., as many as one in three female homicide victims were killed by a current or former romantic partner. Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence is the biggest predictor of who will become abusive or abused in their own adult relationships.

It is estimated that there are 200-300 homeless in the Tri-Valley area on any night. Unlike large urban cities, these homeless families are often hidden from view. Many are working poor who are unable to save enough to make the first and last months’ rent plus deposit on an apartment. They sleep in motels, in their cars or on friends’ floors and must spend much of their hard-earned income on fast food meals. Chronic homelessness leads to depression, substance abuse and violence toward oneself, family members and society. Homeless children are at risk for dropping out of school, delinquency and teen pregnancy.

We believe that world peace begins at home. When every home is a stable and safe place where all members of the family are treated with respect, and disagreements are resolved peacefully, terrorism and war will cease to exist.

What have you accomplished?

Last year we answered 2,985 crisis calls, sheltered 182 women and children, plus 42 adults and children in a Winter Relief rotating shelter program, provided counseling and advocacy to 572 people in the community, and made community education presentations to 4,666 people.

We continue to hear from former clients years after their Haven experience. Last Christmas, a young man who had stayed at the shelter with his mother ten years ago brought in a donation of over $200 that he had collected from his coworkers after telling them how the Haven had assisted his family. A woman who stayed at the shelter with her two youngest sons three years ago is now a straight-A student at a local community college and recently traveled with a group from her church to help construct a new building for an orphanage in Romania. A mother and daughter who stayed at the Haven in the late 80’s recently completed our volunteer training program in order to help others in need.

Even clients who choose to return to a batterer rather than complete the program are small success stories. Leaving an abusive relationship is a process, and many women leave six or more times for short periods before leaving for good. During their short stay, they will have received information and support that will help them to prepare to make a final break from abuse.

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