HELPMATE INC
Safety, Shelter, Support
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We work to eliminate abuse and fear by providing safety, shelter, and support for people who have been victimized by domestic violence in Buncombe County, NC. In addition, we provide prevention services by working with students in many middle and high school in the county to teach about healthy relationships. We answer our 24/7 Hotline over 3,000 times a year, often responding to desperate pleas for help by people in life threatening situations. We work closely with law enforcement professionals and all area organizations aligned with our mission to provide streamlined access to services. Our secure residential shelter is available for those in imminent danger. Case managers assist with long term planning as requested by survivors. Counseling services are available by licensed professionals. Court advocacy professionals work with those involved in court proceedings (restraining orders, etc.). English and Spanish available, all services are free of charge to survivors.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Crisis Stabilization Program
The Crisis Stabilization Program provides danger assessment, emergency safety planning, hotline response, safe shelter with case management to assist victims of domestic violence seeking safety from violent living situations. Through our 24-hour Hotline, staffed by highly trained volunteers and Helpmate staff members, clients receives immediate support, information, referral, and danger assessment and safety plans as appropriate. The 24/7 hotline serves as the gateway to all of Helpmate’s other service programs. Safety Plans vary from client to client, but include the issues identified in the Danger Assessment, an inventory of public and social support systems available to the survivor, consultation regarding applicable legal remedies, basic crisis counseling, and advocacy in addressing immediate barriers to physical safety. Emergency case plans may involve the family moving into our emergency shelter.
Counseling and Case Management
Helpmate's Crisis Counseling and Case Management program provides essential free, bilingual support to help victims recover from the emotional and practical traumas caused by domestic violence. Counselors help each survivor develop a personal goal plan that guides their therapy and address impacts of trauma, such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse, as well as broader personal growth goals. Therapy courses are generally 8-12 sessions, but can be extended if needed. Connections are made with other providers if long-term needs are present. Case managers work with survivors to address the day-to-day impacts of domestic violence, such as need for stable housing, employment disruptions, and transportation needs. Each survivor forms a personal goal plan, and case managers help them to gather resources to progress toward their goals. Psycho-educational, support and life skill-building groups will be offered regularly to provide additional avenues for information and connection.
Criminal and Civil Court Advocacy
Helpmate's Court Advocacy program provides assistance enabling victims of domestic violence to access protection through the civil and criminal justice systems. Our Court Advocacy Coordinator and Court Advocates are based in the Buncombe County Judicial Complex, where they assist victims with filing Domestic Violence Protective orders, Civil No-Contact Orders or filing criminal warrants against abusers. They attend civil and criminal domestic violence court, acting as a liaison for victims who need support from the District Attorney, Clerk of Court, Magistrate or Law Enforcement agencies. Survivors are assisted with forming individual safety plans, completing referrals to Pisgah Legal Services for those needing legal representation, and case management is provided for survivors with other service coordination needs.
Victims are educated about courtroom process and decorum and community resources.
Education
Helpmate provides a variety of education programs in the community and each is tailored to specific audiences, so much so that the content and duration of each educational opportunity varies. Community and “at risk” groups routinely receive information about the cycle of violence, theories of power and control, the red flags of abusive behavior, and resources that are available to victims in need. Professional education is tailored to each vocation, but generally includes information about appropriate ways to intervene and refer to Helpmate and other support systems in the community. Helpmate is currently a partner on a grant funded through the US Office on Women’s Health to support training for healthcare providers to help them better screen and respond to domestic violence disclosed in healthcare settings.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of homebuyers/tenants with low incomes receiving housing subsidies as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Housed and provided rental assistance for 33 households making up 71 survivors, provided stabilizing funds to prevent homelessness to 10 survivors who were at risk of losing their housing.
Number of nights of safe housing provided to families of domestic violence
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The 2021 number reflects the skyrocketing need for services during the pandemic.
Number of crisis hotline calls answered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Hours of volunteer service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These figures reflect individuals participating in education events and outreach in our community.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of Danger Assessments administered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Crisis Stabilization Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Of the 1175 Danger Assessments administered in 2023, 683 of those assessments indicated the highest level of extreme danger for a survivor.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Ultimately, we seek to put this organization out of business by eliminating abuse in our community. We realize that is a lofty goal. In the meantime, we seek to provide safety, shelter, and support for those in life threatening situations, and for those experiencing physical, mental, or emotional abuse. Our goals include educating the public where they live, work, play and worship so that those in need of our services (1 in 3 women) will know there is help available. Our goals also include educating young people, especially young men, about healthy relationships so we see fewer perpetrators of abuse in the future.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Saving lives: 24/7 availability for those in need, including the strong support of law enforcement\n2. Educating the public about domestic violence\n3. Educating young people about healthy relationships and informed consent \n4. Providing empowering support services for those making life changing decisions for themselves and their children in very difficult circumstances\n5. Advocating for laws and policies that support survivors
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Because of visionary planning and sound fiscal policies, Helpmate is able to plan for the future with confidence. Our current assets include:\n1. Leadership: Our Executive Director is known state wide (and beyond) as an expert in the field of domestic violence and prevention. Our Board of Directors is strong and engaged productively.\n2. Staff: The professional expertise and heartfelt dedication of our staff means we are capable of making significant impact in our community.\n3. Community Support: Our community values the work we do. Helpmate is a well respected organization locally. For over 40 years, Helpmate has been a leader in non-profit work in Buncombe County, NC.\n4. Collaboration: Helpmate works closely with many area agencies to make sure survivors and their families have the services they need. We are housed in the Family Justice Center in Asheville, a nationally known model for streamlined, collaborative services.\n5. Expanding Prevention Programming: New emphasis on preventing domestic violence (and community support to provide these services) is very encouraging in terms of reducing abuse in the future.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In the last five years, we have greatly expanded programming for children, prevention programming, and services to the LGBTQ community by creating staff positions for each of those areas. In 2017 we moved into the Family Justice Center to leverage our resources with allied community organizations (Asheville Police Dept., Buncombe County Sheriff's Office; District Attorney, Pisgah Legal Services, OurVoice (sexual assault services); Mission Health; Mountain Area Child Advocacy, Children's Protective Services. We work closely with the local judicial system to eliminate barriers and challenges for survivors as they navigate this system. \n\nOur next goal will be the expansion of our current shelter facility and groundbreaking on the new facility is scheduled for April 2024. We currently have 20 beds, approximately half what a county our size should have. We are forced to accept only those who are in imminent, life threatening danger. We work with all who need our services to find safe alternatives if the shelter is full, but this is not a good situation. Moving to another county for safe shelter, for example, can make maintaining employment and school attendance difficult. The new shelter will provide 43 beds in a variety of suite-like settings, enhanced counseling and meeting spaces, and children's play areas. Best practices have been employed in every aspect of design to ensure a safe, healthy, and healing environment for survivors.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
HELPMATE INC
Board of directorsas of 02/02/2024
Ginny Raviotta
retired health care professional
Term: 2021 - 2024
Ceil Sanow
Community Volunteer
Joyce Greene
Hour Glass Cleaners
Gary Snipes
CoorsTek Medical
Bonnie Spradling
Retired Non-Profit Executive
Jennifer Adams
Mercer Wealth Management
Beverly Brignolo
DWR Audio
Mariate Echeverry
AECOM
Cindy Holman
Retired Attorney
Frederick Hudson
US DOJ
Ginny Raviotta
Retired Health Care Professional
Duane Adams
AB Tech Small Business Center
Graham Reynolds
UNC Asheville
Lucy Wheeler
CarePartners
Belinda Grant
Mt. Zion Community Development
Joni Lisenbee
Mission Health
Lauren Karlsson
Community Volunteer
Fran Paschall
Retired Health Care Professional
Chuck Farlow
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
Peter Kanipe
McGuire, Wood, Bissett Law Firm
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/01/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.