GRACE SMITH HOUSE INC

Programs

1. Mary lou heissenbuttel residencethe mary lou heissenbuttel residence (mlhr) is a 25-bed emergency domestic violence shelter for individuals and their minor children who need safety from abuse. Domestic violence is a pattern of multiple coercive behaviors used by one person to gain power and control over another in an intimate relationship. These repeated acts may be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial in nature. The crisis hotline is answered by a trained advocate 24/7/365 and for fy2024 we handled 2,554 calls for help which is an increase in calls from the previous year. We provided shelter for 75 adults and 82 children and turned away 499 requests for shelter because we were at capacity and could not accommodate the size of the family. The average length of stay during the year was 65 days. Our shelter program provides three meals daily including snacks available anytime. During a shelter stay, all necessities such as toiletries, hygiene products, diapers, baby products, emergency clothing, school supplies, child strollers and car seats are provided for by our program. Adults are assigned to a case manager who helps families create a safety plan, assess risk for…

   $902,639 spentof which $42,955 as grants
   43% of program spending

2. Outreach programgrace smith house has an extensive outreach and community education program. Through our outreach efforts we collaborate with community partners on projects designed to increase victim safety, enhance family wellbeing and maximize offender accountability. During 2024, our outreach programs and activities included the following:family court advocacy project - grace smith house coordinates with dutchess county family court to have two advocates provide advocacy services to walk in customers who seek assistance from family court. Many individuals often show up at family court after an incident has taken place that has them turning to court for protection and help. Grace smith house advocates meet with individuals to assess for the presence of domestic violence, provide risk assessment, engage in safety planning, educate the individual about victim rights and options as well as explain how the civil court process works. Advocates assist and support petitioners in completing paperwork and filing for emergency orders of protection. During the year, this program assisted 955 petitioners to file emergency protective orders. Grace smith house also has a separate court…

   $523,747 spentof which $24,737 as grants
   25% of program spending

3. Brookhaven transitional housingbrookhaven transitional housing comprises of 14 apartments, ranging in size from studio apartments to three bedrooms. Residents may stay in the housing program for up to two years (24 months). Eligibility for this second stage housing program is determined by several factors including being a victim of domestic violence, fleeing an abusive relationship and in need of safe and secure housing. This program is offered to families who want and need a longer amount of time to work on safety, healing and the achievement of specific goals to stabilize lives. Referrals to this program come from various sources including our shelter program, the non-residential program or by our community service providers. While in the brookhaven transitional housing program, residents are provided with case management, individual and/or group domestic violence counseling, children's services, connection to legal assistance, housing advocacy, recreational opportunities and all other available agency services as needed. The brookhaven program is a supportive community that promotes safety, healing from trauma, well-being and resiliency for the future. During the year, 18…

   $349,001 spentof which $16,484 as grants$253,448 earned by the program
   17% of program spending

4. Follow up programthe grace smith house non-residential follow up program provides a wide variety of services to families residing in the community who are experiencing domestic violence. Originally developed as a follow-up program to assist residents who were transitioning out of our emergency shelter, this program has expanded to provide a broad spectrum of advocacy, counseling and support services to victims of domestic violence. Services include individual counseling, support group, safety planning, court advocacy, accompaniment to court, social services advocacy, risk assessment, housing and employment assistance, transportation, and referral to other services. We also provide a food pantry stocked with dry goods, toiletries, diapers, baby items, cleaning products, and household goods. This pantry is available for non-residential participants free of charge (availability of items depends upon donations). Limited amounts of clothing, linens, and household goods/furniture are also available (depending on donations and storage considerations). This program has a bilingual family advocate who provided a full range of services to clients in spanish. During the year, in this program…

   $339,067 spentof which $16,014 as grants
   16% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $2,114,454.