Imagine you only have a few moments to find a safe place for yourself and your family—somewhere unknown to the person causing you harm. Do you know where you would go? If you’re reading this with a flood of questions, frustration, or even fear, you’re beginning to understand a fraction of what domestic violence survivors face every day. Finding safety is not a simple act; it’s often a complex and daunting process. For those without a strong support system to rely on, emergency domestic violence shelters can be a true lifeline.

For many survivors, entering a shelter is the first time in years they feel both safe and independent. At Turning Point, we’ve provided shelter assistance to over 150 survivors, totaling more than 5,200 nights of safe housing from January 1^st, 2024 to June 1^st, 2025. Turning Point’s emergency shelter program goes far beyond providing a roof over someone’s head. It offers holistic support—physical safety, emotional care, and goal-oriented case management. Why is it important to raise awareness about this? Because shelters like Turning Point’s do more than protect—they help survivors rebuild.

Our shelter is staffed 24/7, allowing residents to reach out to trauma-informed advocates whenever they need support. Each staff member completes 40 hours of Domestic Violence training along with continued job-specific education to ensure they are equipped to provide compassionate, effective care. They are also deeply familiar with local resources and often coordinate with partner agencies to connect clients with housing, healthcare, employment, and legal aid. Participation in shelter programs has been shown to boost survivors’ self-compassion, empowerment, emotional well-being, and sense of safety—all essential for long-term recovery and independence. Additionally, Turning Point provides transportation services to assist clients in attending critical appointments, interviews, and errands—addressing one of the most common and significant barriers survivors face.

While the process of accessing emergency shelter may vary slightly from agency to agency, the core steps are generally consistent. At Turning Point, survivors can connect with us in the way that feels most comfortable—through our 24/7 hotline, legal advocacy services, outreach events, counseling programs, or as walk-in clients. Once connected, our team listens to understand each individual’s immediate needs. If shelter is necessary, we begin with a brief assessment to collect demographic information and determine shelter space availability—especially important for families. If space is available, a full intake is completed for each adult and child. Clients are then welcomed into the shelter, given a tour, and shown to their room. Survivors are always empowered to pause or decline services at any point in the process. If you or a loved one may need services, please check out Turning Point’s website: https://turnpt.org/ or you can give us a call at (815)-338-8081.

Credits:
Allison Fischer, Crisis Services Manager, MSCJ, MSW, LCSW, ICDVP

Allison has been employed with Turning Point since September of 2020. She holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Criminal Justice and is a Licensed Social Worker. Allison has experience working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence for over 7 years.

Editor: Cameron Schott, Marketing & Outreach Assocaite