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Domestic Violence Services
Serenity House Family Residence
Renee Steedley Residence
temporary havens for survivors of domestic violence
The goal of Serenity House and the Renee Steedley residence is to meet the immediate and long term needs of survivors of domestic violence and their minor children who have outlived their 90-day stay in an emergency domestic violence facility. Additionally, Serenity House and Renee Steedley residence offer survivors of domestic abuse, who have been unable to secure alternate permanent housing, the opportunity to rebuild their lives through:
- Counseling services,
- Housing search assistance,
- Vocational enrollment,
- Job search assistance,
- Basic computer skills classes,
- Professional Development: resume writing, budgeting
- On-site self-help programs,
- Independent living skills training,
- Healthcare referrals and follow-up services,
- Educational classes on issues such as breast cancer, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and overall family health,
- Linkage and referrals to a wide array of community-based service providers including: NYC Board of Education, NYC Police Department, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation,
- Formal and informal relationships with community-based childcare and service providers.
Resident issues and concerns are brought to the attention of management by a Resident Association, a group made up of residents of the facility. Monthly house meetings are conducted in an atmosphere that allows resident concerns to be addressed by management and to bring about swift resolutions.
Social support services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of English and trilingual social workers and case managers who provide:
- Case management services,
- Individual and Group counseling,
- Peer support groups,
- Family counseling,
- Domestic violence education,
- Teen relationship abuse counseling,
- Empowerment and Enrichment classes,
- Anger management counseling,
- Referral to community medical and mental health services,
- Legal service advocacy,
- Youth services,
- Parenting skills development,
- Entitlement and financial advocacy,
- Substance abuse counseling services, and much, much more…
Program staff provide a range of on and off-site services for resident children, including:
- Children’s case management services,
- Drop-in child and infant-care program, (the program affords parents respite; the opportunity to attend mandated day programs; to seek or maintain their employment status, go to court; and/or attend school).
- Age appropriate infant and childcare services,
- Tutoring and educational activities,
- Computer classes and homework assistance,
- A comprehensive Youth and After-School program.
- Field trips to amusement parks, zoos, cultural centers, museums, libraries, botanical gardens, and sleep-away camps.
Aftercare Services:
The supportive role at Serenity House goes far beyond its walls. Social workers and Case Managers coordinate a wide range of aftercare services with After-care service providers to comprehensively meet the needs of resident families after they transition from temporary shelter to permanent housing.
The ultimate goal of the African American Planning Commission is to develop affordable supportive housing and to place eligible families into these supportive housing units, as they are developed and become available.
Serenity House Submenu
Hotline Phone Numbers
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
1-866-331-8453 (TTY)
In New York City ONLY
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
Crime Victims Hotline: 1-866-689-HELP (4357)
Rape & Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-212-227-3000
TDD phone number for all hotlines: 1-866-604-5350
