Dear Editor,
Everybody and every child in Greene County and beyond, deserves a safe and supportive home. ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support) is an agency working locally to prevent homelessness.
ACCESS is a non-profit that strives to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence as well as other violent crimes. We do this in a variety of ways, through our 24-hour emergency hotline, safe and confidential emergency housing, assistance with the court system, accessing legal resources for victims, emergency financial help with rent and other needs, as well as emergency counseling. ACCESS is here to support victims and survivors of violence with the specific and unique needs they have.
With funds received through Communities 5 Children Decategorization and Community Partnerships for Protecting Children Neighborhood/Community Network Mini Grants and in combination with funds from the Iowa Finance Authority, ACCESS is able to continue to provide safe and confidential housing options for individuals in need. Our project aims to address housing instability that is linked to domestic and sexual violence, both which are major sources of family stress that can have long term impacts on a child’s safety and wellbeing. Our support and resources help residents of Greene County find safe housing they can maintain beyond the time they use our services.
Additionally, finding a family safe and stable housing impacts the future for the children in that household. Research has shown that a history of homelessness, multiple moves related to housing instability, and being behind on rent in the past twelve months were all associated with negative child health outcomes. Housing stability is a critical first step in ensuring safe and healthy kids. We believe that everyone in Greene County deserves safety and that is exactly why we do what we do!
ACCESS contact info:
- Housing Crisis Line: 515-292-0543
- Domestic Violence & Homicide Crisis Line: 515-292-0519
- Sexual Assault & Trafficking Crisis Line: 515-292-5378
- Business/Donations line: 515-292-0500
Annie Randolph, Development Coordinator
ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support)
