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LeeShore Emergency Shelter

The LeeShore Center Emergency Shelter has provided a safe, homelike, comfortable environment for adult and child victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1985. The emergency shelter offers educational-based advocacy and supportive services which focus on empowerment. The goal is to provide support without creating dependency. We are proud that our facility was built entirely through Peninsula-wide support of donated materials, land and labor.

Clients are provided with essential material needs while in residence, including foods (special diets are accommodated), clothing, bedding and linens, basic personal hygiene items, as well as diapers and other necessities needed for children. We also arrange for transportation to the shelter as needed. Law enforcement officers routinely transport victims as do local taxi services. We also have provided emergency travel assistance to victims who wish to leave the community for safety reasons, within the bounds of local, state and federal laws.

Crisis Intervention

Crisis intervention services are available for both residential and non-residential clients through visiting the facility or calling our 24-hour crisis line. Advocates conduct assessments and interviews in a private, confidential office. Translators for language and hearing barriers are available. One or more welcome packets are provided for all clients, depending on their need; one for shelter intake, one for walk-in clients and one for those participating in community education groups. All contain specific information regarding confidentiality, safety planning, lethality assessment, client rights, community resources, and domestic violence and sexual assault. During the interview process, lethality and needs assessments are conducted which focus on the victim's safety and immediate needs. Advocates help clients explore their options and allow them to make their own decisions. Advocates work with the clients as they identify goals for themselves. Safety plans are encouraged and devised with walk-in, residential and crisis line clients.

Advocates assist victims with other identified needs, such as finding safe, affordable housing; completing protective orders, Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB) applications; accessing medical care and legal services; accessing mental health and other social services; providing transportation; obtaining emergency material needs; and, accompanying clients to medical, legal, court or other appointments. Advocates also may provide case management when multiple service providers and other services are involved, with the understanding that our role is to assist, rather than assess. Additionally, we provide lots of referrals and information for clients, based on their individual needs. Basic advocacy and emotional support are provided as victims negotiate the legal system. As integral members of the local Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), we provide sexual assault advocacy and support at the victim's request.

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The LeeShore Center provides a variety of opportunities for group support. For in-shelter clients, educational groups are held twice daily on issues, which include domestic violence, sexual assault, healthy relationships, self-esteem, non-violent parenting, substance abuse, communal living, dealing with stress, etc. Shelter residents and community members are welcome to attend weekly community education support groups.

Advocates provide continuous support for residents through frequent one-on-one contact, which includes assistance with setting goals and actively working toward meeting them. We also offer life skills training in areas such as budgeting and shopping, nutritious meal planning and preparation, etc., in order to help clients develop the tools for success. In many cases, we provide referrals to The LeeShore Center's Transitional Living Center (TLC) when immediate safety is no longer an issue: TLC provides longer term (up to 2 years) supportive housing for women and children in order to help them build a stronger capacity for sustainable life changes. Upon discharge from our residential facilities, clients are asked to provide a brief, confidential evaluation of services received which is reviewed by all levels of agency management. We ensure that clients are aware that we can provide follow up services and establish a services plan, if requested.

Children's Services

When children accompany mom to the shelter, we complete an intake assessment, which addresses each child's needs and social, medical and abuse history. A Child Advocate pays special attention to each child's needs and provides advocacy, support, education, assistance with school work and developing study skills, referrals, case management, accompaniment and other services for the child. These activities often involve contact with the school system, medical and mental health providers or early intervention programs. The Child Advocate provides individual support and age appropriate educational groups for child residents covering topics such as personal safety, good/bad touch, emotions and feelings, self-esteem, positive conflict resolution and respectful behavior. Teens receive additional information on subjects such as positive communication skills, dating safety, domestic violence, sexual assault and date rape.

Education and Support

The LeeShore Center believes that all members of a community are responsible for ending violence, so we are very proactive in pursuing education and outreach activities.

We continue to chair the very active, multi-disciplinary Central Peninsula Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force. Task force members include law enforcement, the District Attorney, the Public Defender, a representative of the Division of Family and Youth Services, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and representatives from a variety of social service agencies.

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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