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Have House Services

Haven House, Homer’s only emergency domestic violence shelter and the second largest domestic violence service provider in the state, began as a safe home program nearly thirty years ago to provide quality emergency and support services to individuals affected by domestic violence. Our mission is to support and empower individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse by advocating for justice and providing safe shelter, crisis intervention, prevention, and victim advocacy.

We intervene in the cycle of violence with safe shelter for victims and their children, support and advocacy for all family members, and community education. We work to empower all those affected by domestic violence and support their right to self-determination. Haven House provides case management, advocacy, and confidential individual and group support for individuals who have experienced emotional, physical, and /or sexual abuse within their intimate or family relationships. Services and programs include:

Emergency Shelter

Haven House maintains a shelter where women and their children may seek help any time they are in danger. Located on Lake street, it accommodates 20 people. Domestic violence victims may stay up to thirty days while they make decisions about what they will do next. We offer alternative housing options for male victims of domestic violence.

Crisis Intervention/24-Hour Crisis Line: 907-235-8943

Haven House provides a crisis line that is answered 24 hours a day. Domestic violence survivors or anyone who knows someone in crisis are encouraged to call and talk to a trained advocate about their situation.

Children’s Programs

Children who have lived in a home with violence are affected by what they have witnessed or experienced. Haven House has staff members specially trained to help children gain self-confidence and understand that they are not the cause of what they have seen at home. Haven House provides a stable environment with play areas for each age group, an outdoor playground, and arranged transportation to schools. The children’s advocates also provide support, education, and referrals to parents.

Transitional Housing

AWAIC offers transitional housing for women fleeing domestic violence. Transitional housing offers low cost housing for up to two years for women making the transition to independent living. It accommodates ten women without dependent children and is located on AWAIC property. Call XXX-XXXX for more information.

Legal Advocacy

The legal system can be difficult to understand and navigate, so AWAIC employs legal advocates at the courthouse seven days a week to help with protective orders, applying to pro bono legal services, and accompanying petitioners to hearings. Call XXX-XXXX for more information. Read more. 

Kenai Peninsula Children’s Advocacy Centers

The Children’s Advocacy Centers (located in Homer and Kenai) are committed to minimizing trauma a child victim of abuse experiences during the process of investigation. Our team helps children ages 0-17 and their families and our team consists of law enforcement, Office of Children’s Services, the District Attorney’s Office, victim advocates and medical and mental health professionals. This coordinated team effort produces a much more comprehensive and efficient investigation, resulting in more successful prosecution and treatment outcomes.

The CAC is truly a Peninsula-wide endeavor to bring together the numerous community partners that address the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse cases. Haven House is very proud to report that we are currently recognized by the National Children’s Alliance as an associate member and are also a member of the Alaska Children’s Alliance.

Prevention and Community Education

Prevention at Haven House consists of several programs and strategies in which we partner with other nonprofits, schools, coalitions and community groups to be more effective.  These strategies include Girls on the Run, Trauma, ACES, and Resiliency education, Lead On!, Men’s leadership forums, Homer community coalitions,  History and Hope, Alaska Men Choose Respect, and Green Dot bystander intervention. Prevention staff also offer community education to 7th,8th and 9th grade Health classes and groups who request it. We give engaging and interactive classes on subjects ranging from healthy relationships, consent, substance misuse, recognizing and addressing warning signs of abuse, resiliency, coping skills and communication.

Green Dot is one of our most successful strategies in violence prevention.  Homer was instrumental in launching Green Dot in Alaska and we continue to be the leader in implementing and promoting this now worldwide strategy. Green Dot program teaches people (bystanders) to interrupt situations that are ripe for violence or bullying.  It provides skill building and specific strategies to increase the likelihood that trained individuals will actually intervene to keep people safe.

We teach Green Dot in schools around our communities.  We set up self training walk throughs at places around town, and overview trainings for people and businesses that request it.  Be a part of the solution and get trained in Green Dot! 

Girls on the Run (GOTR) International  is an empowerment program for girls in 3rd-5th grade. The program combines training for a 5K running event with healthy living and self-esteem curricula. GOTR instills self-respect through physical training, health education, life skills development, and mentoring relationships. The 12 week, 24-lesson afterschool program creatively integrates life lessons, discussions, and running-based games in a fun environment where girls are free to express themselves. Haven House is a community partner under the Girls on the Run of Greater Alaska Council. More information at  www.gotrgreateralaska.org.  

Lead On! in Homer is a Partnership between Haven House and the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic’s R.E.C. Room. A team of teens travel to a conference each year to plan a community service project. Haven House, the R.E.C. Room, and adult volunteers support the Lead On! team in carrying out the project.

Substance Use Case Management

Haven House has one full time case manager who specializes in helping individuals who experience substance use. This case manager meets participants where they are in their addiction and provides support surrounding participant-identified goals. The case manager can provide information about addiction, bring the participant to meetings, and/or assist the participant in getting an assessment or getting into treatment. Please call XXX-XXXX for more information.