about Families In Crisis, Inc.:
Families In Crisis, Inc. is the only 501(c)(3) organization that provides
shelter and outreach services to victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault
in Bell, Coryell and Hamiltion counties including Fort Hood, the largest
military
installation. Direct services we provide are safe shelter, food, clothing ,
personal items, a 24 hour hotline, crisis intervention counseling, support
groups,
legal advocacy, hospital accompaniment, information, referral and
transportation
to medical, legal, law enforcement and social service agencies. All
services are
confidential and free of charge.
In 1996, Families In Crisis expanded existing services to rural and underserved
populations by opening three outreach offices in Belton, Hamilton and
Gatesville.
Services to these areas have impacted on the Killeen shelter by Increasing the
number of residents served. In 1998, Families in Crisis provided 6,775 shelter
nights to 371 women and 475 children, as well as outreach crisis Intervention
services to 1,062 victims. Community awareness presentations were attended by
4,562 individuals. Our 24 hour toll free hotline offers victims rapid and easy
access to help from all three counties and, last year, approximately 2,500
hotline calls were received. Over 90% of our clients are very low income
individuals having an annual income under $9,000. In addition, these clients
suffer further financial loss when fleeing a domestic violence situation in
that
they often lose their home, all personal possessions and access to financial
support. Approximately 54% of our clients are from ethnic minorities. It is
estimated that nearly 73% of homeless families are headed by females, the
majority of whom are homeless due to domestic violence. As the changes in
public
assistance programs occur, the number of resident and nonresident clients
served
by Families In Crisis is expected to increase. Our shelter, among the
largest in
Texas, is one of the few that provides shelter to male victims.
Among the specific services we provide to our resident clients are
workshops and
classes on a wide variety of topics, such as recognizing signs of abuse, safety
planning, parenting skills, stress management and goal-setting. These services
are aimed at helping clients become more independent and increasing their
effectiveness as parents. The ultimate goal is for individuals to establish a
stable, non-violent in which to carry on their lives and raise their children.
Families In Crisis strives to break the cycle of violence through prevention,
which we hope to foster through increased community outreach. Our community
relations program continues to participate with the media and the business
community to facilitate awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault by
way of interviews, articles and professional presentations. OUr volunteer
program consistently recruits new community members committed to intervening in
the cycle of violence, and in its first semester, our new Sexual Assault
Prevention Education Program (PEP), aimed at 6th-12th graders in our service
area, addressed more that 180 classes reaching more than 4,000 students.
Families In Crisis, Inc. Mission Statement:
The mission of Families In Crisis, Inc. is to provide a safe, supportive and
nonjudgmental environment where the victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault can assess their individual situation, explore alternatives, and
develop
resources to make effective choices for redirecting their lives through
non-violent means.
Families In Crisis, Inc., a non-profit organization, was established in
1978 for
the purpose of providing emergency shelter and support services to victims of
domestic violence. In August 1980, the organization was incorporated and
expanded its services to include victims of sexual assault through a merger
with
the Central Texas Community Rape Crisis Center. The purchase of an old
hospital
in 1983 allowed for the sheltering of up to 55 clients per night and for an
administrative wing to house staff. Families in Crisis operates 24 hours a
day,
365 ;days a year, providing continuous crisis intervention services.
Families In
Crisis i located in Killeen, Texas and serves Bell, Coryell and Hamilton
counties including Fort Hood, the largest U.S. military installation.
Families In Crisis provides the following comprehensive services:
-24 Hour Safe Shelter
-24 Hour Hotline 1-888-799-SAFE
-Access to Emergency Medical Care
-Support Groups for REsident and Non-Resident Clients
-Hospital Accompaniment
-Crisis Intervention Counseling
-Short-Term Counseling with Referral to Long-Term Counseling if necessary
-Transportation to Housing, Job Assistance, Medical ,Legal, Law Enforcement and Social Service Appointments
-Job Training information and Assistance with Seeking Employment
-Life Skills Classes for Residents
-Legal Advocacy and Accompaniment
-Children's Program Activities
-Food, Clothing and Personal Items
-Cooperative Working Agreements with Criminal Justice Officials
-Educational Arrangements for Children
-Community Education and Awareness Programs
-Referral System to Community Services/Resources
-Volunteer Recruitment and Training Program
-Quarterly Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy Trainings
-Substance Abuse Education and Referrals
Services offered by Families In Crisis are available 24 hours per day and are
both confidential and free of charge.
