Genesis Womens Shelter & Support

This established program provides no cost legal services to women navigating the complexities of separating from their abusers. We offer pro bono legal services in family law matters so that Genesis clients can receive the high-quality and trauma-informed representation they deserve. At Genesis, we know navigating the legal process can feel intimidating for anyone, but particularly for women who have experienced violence in their relationship. Our 3 expert staff attorneys and bilingual Chief Legal Services Officer will continue providing expert legal advice and representation to our clients, ensuring they are able to finally secure permanent legal freedom from their abusers. Our staff attorneys in the Client Legal Assistance Program exclusively practice family law, if the issue doesn’t fit into these parameters the client will then be referred to an organization or pro bono attorney that is better suited to help them.

Our Emergency Shelter program provides safety and stability—the first step on a woman’s path to recovery from abuse. When families arrive at our Emergency Shelter, they are embraced with a complete continuum of care, including individual and group counseling, on-site legal assistance, advocacy, children’s therapy, childcare, afterschool programming, an on-site preschool, and an on-site K-8 school. Each woman and child are evaluated, and a personalized plan is implemented throughout their 8-week stay to help them heal from the trauma they have experienced and to create bright futures they deserve. After completing our Shelter Program, families have the option to utilize Genesis’ Transitional Housing Program on our safe campus. Families are able to live rent-free for 12 months in their own private apartments. The mother is required to work, saving one-third of her income, so she will have the financial means to be self-sufficient upon completion of her family’s time at Annie’s House.

The OT program at Genesis includes a personalized plan for each child that begins with an assessment. The OT assessment identifies problem areas associated with sensory processing, fine motor developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, academic performance, and social participation. To address these challenges, occupational therapists develop a personalized sensory plan that supports both daily living and classroom engagement. Practicing the sensory strategies established through these treatment plans within a safe, calm environment yields positive outcomes for children.

Located at a secure location, Genesis provides each shelter client the opportunity to enroll their child in our preschool through 8th grade program. The Simmons School is designed to embrace children with trauma informed program of care helping them heal from the trauma they have endured and empowering them with the tools necessary to rebuild an abuse-free future. By providing this space for children, both mom and children are safe from the threats of an abuser. With the on-site location allows case managers and counselors to be readily available to assist children when needed. The Simmons School boasts certified teachers, a low teacher to student ratio, and a vertical learning approach that allows mom to incorporate lessons into their day-to-day life.