For those in need of shelter from domestic abuse, a reliable, compassionate place to seek assistance is an important resource to have available. For over 12,000 adults and children since 1995, that place has been St. Jude House of Crown Point.
St. Jude House offers services and resources in order to aid the community and those in need. With 30 beds, various support groups, and legal services available, they provide a valuable opportunity and layer of support for those who have been affected by physical, mental, or financial abuse.
"At St. Jude House we do more than provide food and shelter, we are a place of empowerment and we actively seek out and participate in initiatives that bring awareness to the community about domestic violence and sexual assault. We are committed to helping our communities be safe," stated Linda Perez, Executive Director of St. Jude House.
Aside from the empowerment they provide to individuals, as well as beds and basic services, St. Jude House also offers additional services to support growth, independence, and personal choices. Family members and children are given the ability to heal and access needed services through various means.
“We have comprehensive services like legal advocacy. We have a case manager and adult services. There are services for children, job training, employment help, help with health and medical issues,” said Val Lay, Director of Development for St. Jude House. “We work to get each client a safety plan. We help get protective orders if needed. We have support groups for both adults and children, and the other important thing is that these services, especially the support groups, they’re open to residential and non-residential clients.”
St. Jude House also offers a 24/7 crisis line. While it’s called a crisis line, they encourage anyone in need of information or resources to call as well. The hotline remains staffed at all times in order to provide people with the contacts, information, or support they need.
“With the 24/7 crisis line, we get about 1200 calls a year, and it’s called a crisis line mainly because it’s answered 24 hours a day, but you don’t need to be in a crisis to call. People can and should call for information,” said Lay.
As St. Jude House continues to assist the community, they are also reaching out to schools and local businesses to provide presentations that alert the public to common signs and symptoms of abusive relationships. One program they offer to establishments serving alcohol is called Raise the Bar, and focuses on noticing signs of abuse. They also reach out to police departments, churches, schools, and various other places to educate and encourage healthy relationships.
“With young children you talk about bullying and see if they have experienced that. With adult groups, there are facts and statistics about violence that are presented,” said Lay. “Letting them know what is healthy is part of breaking that cycle of violence.”
For those in need, St. Jude House offers a safe, supportive option to realizing independence and getting help. Whether the need is support, resources, or a place to stay, they can be trusted to aid in any way possible for those who have been affected by domestic abuse.