SERVICES

HOPE Family Services, Manatee County’s state-certified domestic violence service provider, offers a myriad of services designed to further the mission of promoting safety, strength, and well-being for those affected by domestic violence. HOPE IS MORE THAN JUST A SHELTER.

HOPE offers:

24 Hour Help Line/ Chat Line and Text Line
HOPE operates a 24 hour, 365 days a year, Helpline; a friendly, compassionate, and informed person to talk to in an emergency. Call (941) 755-6805 (V/TTY), chat via the web, or text SURVIVOR to 69922

Emergency Safe Shelter

HOPE provides a safe place in a confidential location for victims of domestic violence to evaluate their options. The shelter, designed to allow those who need it time in a safe place to make choices that empower them to live a life safe from the controlling tactics of an abusive partner and to organize opportunities in the best interest of themselves and their children.

Advocacy

HOPE assists clients with identifying and overcoming barriers to a safe way of life. HOPE’s case management services in the advocacy department are designed to address emergency issues such as financial concerns, and housing, food, and clothing needs are addressed; as well as information and referrals to other organizations that can be of assistance. Advocacy includes assisting with court-related matters, such as Injunctions for Protection, accompanying clients to hearings, and facilitating legal referrals when necessary. Advocates also assist participants with job training opportunities and issues surrounding economic justice.

Bilingual and bicultural advocates work with Latina and immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Esperanza Advocates reach women who are isolated due to language, culture and geography. HOPE’s Esperanza services are offered either at HOPE’s main office or an ancillary Parrish location, for some -- a more convenient location.

CPI Advocate Program

A partnership between HOPE and the Manatee Sheriff’s Office focusing on helping victims of domestic violence also caught in the child welfare system. HOPE works to intervene in these overlapping cases to help participants understand the impact of domestic violence on their children and strategies to keep themselves and their children safe.

Economic Justice Services

HOPE’s Economic Justice Advocates assist survivors on financial issues. They assist with job training, educational opportunities, housing, financial literacy, budgeting and English for speakers of other languages.

Counseling

HOPE offers individual and group counseling to victims of domestic violence. Weekly support groups address issues regarding domestic violence and its impact on the family and are offered in English and Spanish.

Children's Program

HOPE provides supportive individual and group counseling to children affected by domestic violence. The intent of the program is to assist children with the current trauma in their lives while teaching them non-violent coping mechanisms in an effort to break the intergenerational nature of domestic violence.

Primary Prevention Program

HOPE’s Primary Prevention Program is a youth-based program developed to teach young people the signs of an abusive partner early on with the goal of preventing them from becoming victims of intimate partner violence.

Social Change

HOPE provides speakers and trainers to the community including youth, professionals, and paraprofessionals in an effort to stem the rising tide of violence against women by preventing conditions that allow batterer’s controlling behavior as we work to hold community members accountable and bring about peace and an abuse-free society.

The HOPE Chest

HOPE operates a resale shop in which all proceeds benefit HOPE’s clients including direct gifts of clothing, toiletries, household items, and furniture.

HOPE offers all services confidentially, free of charge, and without regard to race, gender, age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, disability, religious or political belief. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any program or activity receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance administered by the department and its providers.

Any participant who believes he or she has been denied services may file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, or the Department of Children & Families within 180 days of the alleged violation.