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About Crossroads Safehouse | Our Services | Who We Serve | Purpose and History | Leadership and Boards

Crossroads Safehouse provides services and safehousing to adults and children affected by intimate partner abuse. Crossroads is the largest direct service provider for victims of domestic violence in Colorado. Our services and programs include:

For recent victims and long-term survivors

Trained advocates staff our crisis line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Up to 150 languages are spoken through a third-party interpretation service, which is also available to clients 24/7. Spanish interpreters are part of our advocacy staff.

Staff provides support, advocacy, information and referral services to the community. People in need of help, information, or support are encouraged to contact Crossroads Safehouse toll free at 1-888-541-SAFE (7233) or 970-482-3502.

EMERGENCY SAFEHOUSING

Adults and children who are experiencing abuse qualify for emergency safehousing services. The Safehouse location is kept confidential for the safety of individuals seeking shelter. Staff members are available at the Safehouse round the clock, and all basic necessities, including food, clothing, household supplies, toiletries, and over-the-counter medications, are provided through donations from supportive community members and agencies.

Shelter for adults and their children is available for up to six weeks. Alternative safehousing is provided for men in imminent danger and in need of shelter.

Each family is given the privacy of their own bedroom, while having the support of other residents through shared living, dining, and children's play areas.

COUNSELING AND SUPPORT GROUPS

Counseling is a process of self-discovery and planning for change; adults and youths work with trained advocates individually and in group settings to share their experiences, learn from one another, and create safety plans.

Family sessions are also offered to facilitate communication and problem solving within the family.

YOUTH PROGRAM

The youth program encompasses services to help children and teens increase self-esteem, develop and practice coping and communication skills, and learn alternatives to aggressive behaviors. Parenting assistance also helps in the development of a healthy family unit.


Children who are residents at the safehouse have the option to vividly express positive ways to use their hands and communicate solidarity to future child residents via the "Hands are Not for Hitting" wall.

• The Children's Program at Crossroads provides a safe, violence-free environment with structure and consistency for children in a time of crisis. Structured activities are designed to assist children in developing non-violent play and conflict resolution, as well as enhancing coping skills and implementing safety plans.


• The Teen Dating Violence Institute, or TDVI, is a peer-education approach to teaching young people about dating violence. High school seniors present the Healthy Relationships curriculum to Poudre Valley middle and high school students in 45-90 minute sessions as part of a health education course.

LEGAL ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION

Crossroads' legal advocates provide information and guidance through the legal system to all persons experiencing domestic violence who are seeking safety, protection and legal intervention from the civil and criminal justice system.

BRINGING JUSTICE HOME (BJH) PROJECT is a separate program of Crossroads Safehouse that assists low-income domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking survivors by providing no-cost bilingual legal representation in a wide range of legal matters including, but not limited to, civil protection orders, divorce, and custody cases. BJH serves Larimer, Routt, Grand, Moffat and Jackson counties.

DOMESTIC ABUSE RESPONSE TEAM (DART)

The Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) is a group of highly trained volunteer and staff advocates who respond with law enforcement to the scene of a domestic violence incident. A DART advocate works with the victim to provide information, confidential legal advocacy, support, and access to emergency safehousing if needed.

DART advocates are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Kid Domestic Abuse Response Team (K-Dart) members respond along with the DART team and law enforcement to the scene of a domestic violence incident to support children who are victims of domestic violence and/or who are witnesses to violence.

LATINA SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION

Individual advocacy, support, education and referrals are provided to the Spanish-speaking community. Spanish support groups are available each week with childcare provided. Our bilingual advocates can provide one-on-one support to Spanish-speaking victims and can often provide free immigration services to victims of domestic violence.

CROSSTRAILS

When victims decide to leave an abusive situation, they may feel that leaving the family pet behind is the only option. As many as 25% of women who have entered a domestic violence shelter have shared the fact that they delayed leaving their abusers because of concern over their pets.

Crosstrails is a unique program that provides emergency shelter/foster homes for pets belonging to Safehouse residents, ensuring safe and confidential housing for the entire family. Foster homes provide shelter for animals for up to seven weeks via anonymous, pre-screened volunteers. All animals are pre-examined and vaccinated and food is provided by Crosstrails donors. Animal behavior consultation is available if needed. Pet visitation by shelter residents is encouraged and facilitated through third-party volunteers to ensure client confidentiality.

Crosstrails is a joint effort of Crossroads Safehouse and numerous kennels, veterinarians and individual volunteers in the community.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Staff and volunteers work throughout the year to provide information about domestic violence issues to community organizations, businesses, government agencies, schools, etc.

Through Crossroads, the Teen Dating Violence Institute's Healthy Relationships curriculum is also offered. Presently, it is given throughout Poudre School District and can be presented to schools and community groups upon request.

In addition, informational materials and staff are available weekdays from 9-5 at the Crossroads Safehouse Outreach Center at 528 South College in Fort Collins. To schedule a training or presentation, call the Outreach Center at 970-530-2353.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Our federally-funded Housing Opportunities and Mentoring Enrichment (HOME) program allows us to provide women and families with low rent, temporary housing for up to two years after leaving the Safehouse. Program participants also have access to advocacy, counseling, community referrals, life skills workshops, 24-hour property management and legal services.