Victim Services
The Crisis Center offers the following services on a 24 hour basis:
(Please click on any of the links below for more information.)
Safe Shelter
Emergency Transportation
Support Transportation
Medical Assistance
Legal Assistance
Food/Clothing
Child Care
Advocacy
Court Support
Peer Support Groups
Support Group Meetings
These services are provided for free to victims and families of sexual assault or domestic violence. To use these services simply call our 24 hour crisis hot line and request assistance. If the this call is made during business hours our office staff will do whatever they can to help. If the call is made after hours or during the weekend, a trained volunteer with a backup office member will provide any help that they can.
Safe Shelter
The Crisis Center operates two shelters. One three bedroom ranch home, and a five bedroom ranch home, both located in the Grand Island Area. These homes serve as the emergency safe shelter. The shelters are used by persons who are in danger or when there is a threat of danger. You will be permitted to stay at either of these shelters for approximately four weeks. There is no charge to stay at the shelters. These shelters are able to house up to eight families at one time.
Emergency Transportation
Procedures have been developed with law enforcement to transport a victim and their children to a law enforcement agency or hospital if the victim requests to leave a situation where there is a threat of danger. Once at the safe place the families are met by a staff member of the Crisis Center.
Support Transportation
When people have made initial contact with the Crisis Center they are provided with transportation via staff, taxi, or provided gas money if they have their own vehicle. This allows people to contact the necessary support agencies in the community. Monies or bus tickets are also provided for persons needing to leave the local area to attand court hearings or to relocate to a safer environment.
Medical Assistance
The Crisis Center is able to help when medical needs arise. This usually includes filling of prescriptions and routine medical office visits. If available, medical insurance or Medicaid is billed for these services. The Grand Island free clinic is also used for this purpose.
Legal Assistance
The Crisis Center will assist people in filling our protection orders. The Crisis Center will also provide money that is available on a case by case basis to pay for filing fees to obtain custody of children in a divorce or separation. People who are receiving this benefit will be responsible for making arrangements with their private attorney to pay their legal fees.
Financial Assistance
The Crisis center does under certain circumstances, help with rent deposits, telephone deposits, sundries, and other needs as they arise.
Food/Clothing
During someones stay at the shelter, all of the food is provided. Clothing is available for those who are forced to leave their home quickly and were not able to pack any clothing.
Child Care
When someone in the shelter is looking for housing, jobs, and keeping appointments with human service agencies, the Crisis Center provides child care.
Advocacy
To help someone develop a plan of change, they meet daily with a staff person or volunteer to discuss goal, feelings, roadblocks, and services available in the community.
Court Support
Volunteers and staff are available to provide support in court and during criminal and civil proceedings.
Peer Support groups
To help those in a time of healing, the Crisis Center offers one weekly domestic violence support groups and a children's support group. For sexual assault survivors there are two incest groups, an adult rape group, and two teen rape groups. The Crisis Center also provides teen dating violence support groups in all three Grand Island high schools. There is no fee for any of these groups and transportation and child care is free.
Domestic Violence Support Group - Meets every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 P.M.
Children's Domestic Violence support group - Meets along with Domestic Violence support groups (Every Tuesday 6:30 to 8 P.M.)
In Our Best Interest Educational Program - Meets every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 P.M.