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Domestic-violence shelter offers refuge, relief by Stephanie Russo - Dec. 13, 2011 09:33 PM The Arizona Republic The domestic-violence victims who stay at Autumn House come and go every few months. But a small group of employees spends nearly every day at the shelter working to make a supportive environment for men, women and children on the road to recovery. "It takes a special person to do this work," said Dana Martinez, program manager at Autumn House. "We really kind of just envelop the victims in the support that they need to move on." Mesa-based non-profit A New Leaf runs both Autumn House in the southeast Valley and Faith House in the West Valley. Between the two shelters, A New Leaf can help more than 100 victims at a time. The addresses for both shelters are confidential to protect their residents. Autumn House, which became the southeast Valley's first domestic-violence shelter in 1983, is significantly smaller, with just 22 beds and four cribs. The shelter employs only 10 staff members, who work with the shelter residents to provide educational classes on finances and life skills, individual case management, and basic-needs assistance. The shelter also relies on the help of volunteers. "We all really just have our main common denominator: We all care so much about the families that come here," case manager Joannah Schindler said. "All of us are willing to go the extra mile to help a family out, to help a child out. We're all just willing to see everyone succeed." When residents first arrive at the shelter, they meet with Sandy Robertson, the treatment coordinator. She continues to meet with the residents about every 10 days, helping them reach their goals and realize their strengths. Once residents leave the shelter, however, there are economic barriers for the women to access the services they need, Robertson and Martinez said. "But it's definitely awesome to watch the women come out of their shells," Robertson said. "When you see them start smiling. When they go for an entire day and they haven't cried. When the kids get comfortable and they haven't wet the bed in three days or haven't had a nightmare. Those are all huge successes, even though to the everyday person they probably seem pretty minor." The three women said they have learned so much from the people who cross their paths. The employees at Autumn House go above and beyond the typical 40-hour workweek, doing research at home or staying on-call through the night. A New Leaf employs a simple mission statement: "Helping families ... changing lives." "Nobody has to stay in the situation they are in," said Torrie Taj, New Leaf executive vice president of resource development. "Nobody gets turned away." A New Leaf finds emergency temporary housing through the Domestic Violence Safe Temporary Overflow Program, or DVSTOP, even if every shelter in the county is full. DVSTOP secures motel rooms for victims until a shelter bed becomes available. Shelters have added more beds since the program was established in 1999. But a surge in the past three months has forced the program to place more than 100 victims in motels, according to Kathi Di Nolfi, executive vice president of emergency and shelter services. Martinez said economic abuse is a common tactic abusers use to keep victims financially dependent. The state Department of Economic Security funds Autumn House, but that money covers only about 70 to 80 percent of total operating costs. To make up for the difference, A New Leaf accepts donations. Among its supporters is The Arizona Republic and 12 News' annual Season for Sharing campaign. "We really do rely on the kindness of individuals, church groups and participating partners," Taj said. The shelter has seen joys like newborns coming home from the hospital, but it has also dealt with crises such as arguments between the residents. Martinez said because domestic violence occurs across the spectrum of society, victims from all walks of life seek shelter. At Autumn House, they are met by employees who motivate them to move past their history of injuries and abuse.
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