HOUSING

Emergency Shelter

Fleeing an abusive partner can be one of the most dangerous times for a victim of domestic abuse. Many victims lack the financial resources or support systems to survive without their abuser. Recognizing this impediment, Laurel House offers emergency shelter services. Each year, there are 150-200 victims and their children that come through our shelter.

Domestic abuse victims and their children are provided with the following services, free of charge, while staying at our emergency shelter:

• Up to 30 days of shelter
• Individual and group counseling
• Advocacy services
• Case management
• Legal representation
• Food, clothing, toiletries, linens, and more

Our highly skilled staff works with victims and their families, helping them find the strength to stand on their own. Our shelter offers a safe and nurturing environment where victims can heal and move forward with their lives.

The Purple Shelter Project

The Purple Shelter Project was created to meet a need for survivors who have been accepted into Laurel House’s shelter but do not want to leave their pets behind. While survivors are staying in our shelter, their pets will be cared for in a safe environment at Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals, thanks to this new partnership. This will help ensure the pets’ safety so that their owners can get the services they need to transition into a safe and stable home.

During their stay at Francisvale, pets of survivors will have access to the following:

• Up to 30 days of shelter (extensions may be granted) at no cost to the client or Laurel House
• Kennel space for dogs and community style housing for cats
• Volunteers who have offered to foster pets when they are unable to stay in Francisvale’s shelter
• A local veterinarian to provide medical treatments needed while at the shelter such as vaccinations, administering medication, and wellness checks
• Food, exercise, and other care

We are so grateful to Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals for partnering with us to help survivors transition into a life of safety!

Bridge Housing

Laurel House operates two transitional housing programs: Nehemiah’s Way is based out of the North Wales area, while the Bridge Housing program is centered in the Norristown area. These programs provide a “bridge” between our shelter and independent community living. The goal of the program is to enable families to become self-sufficient and help reduce the risk of having them return to a domestic violence situation.

Participants in this program can stay for up to two years at one of seven scattered houses/apartments. During their time in the transitional housing program, residents will receive:

• weekly case management
• group counseling
• life skills training
• emergency financial assistance
• children’s services
• connections to community resources.