Schuylkill Hope Center for Victims of Domestic Violence received a $20,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use to support operational expenses at its emergency shelter.

Schuylkill Hope Center, formerly Schuylkill Women in Crisis, provides services to provides shelter for the nearly 200 adults and children who seek emergency refuge each year.

Shelter expenses include the cost of insurance, maintenance, telephone, utilities, food, housekeeping supplies, and custodial and administrative costs.

The center’s services are confidential, free and provided regardless of income.

In fiscal year 2021-2022, Hope Center advocates provided services to 1,278 adults and children experiencing domestic violence.

In addition to emergency shelter and longer-term housing, services include a 24-hour hotline at (570) 622-6220, text hotline, counseling (for adults and children, in-person or virtual), safety planning, information and referral, case management, life-skills coaching, economic assistance and education, accompaniment to courts and hospitals, children’s programming, legal services and emergency Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order support, limited transportation and food assistance, off-site pet sheltering, volunteer training, and community education.

“Those who receive Hope Center services take steps toward healing by addressing the physical, psychological, and emotional effects the trauma of abuse has had on their life so that they may move from victim to survivor to thriver,” said Sarah Barket, Chief Public Affairs Officer for Schuylkill Hope Center. “Making the decision to leave an abusive relationship is not an easy one; because abuse is about power and control, the most dangerous time for a victim is the period before, during, and after separation as the abuser will often go to extremes to try to regain control. The nature of our work is critical, making immediate access to a fully operational shelter at any time of day vital to victim safety, and leads directly to a safer Schuylkill County community.

“A gift to the Hope Center is an investment in the life of survivors and, so often, in the next generation. It is also an investment in our entire community. ”

Megan Kennedy, executive director of the First Federal Charitable Foundation, said, “The Schuylkill Hope Center provides critical services to help provide a safe, secure place for adults and children who are abused or feel threatened. Our foundation is proud to help programs like those they provide to these victims.”

The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.

Nonprofit organizations in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.

For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email megankennedy7169@gmail.com.