Last year, NEWS received an emergency Help Line call from “Elise”. Elise was seriously injured as she attempted to flee her partner, and needed immediate medical care. Once she was at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center, hospital staff helped Elise contact the NEWS 24-hour Help Line. We provided her with crisis counseling and worked with law enforcement to issue Elise an Emergency Protective Order. However, she still felt too scared to go home. 

It was 3:00am and NEWS understood Elise’s fears. We arranged for Elise to be safely dropped off at confidential hotel and arranged for her to receive a meal via Door Dash. Elise was beyond grateful for a calm, safe, and private space to recuperate and get some much needed sleep.

The next morning, a NEWS Shelter case manager contacted Elise to work through a sustainable safety plan. Elise was offered multiple services such as emergency shelter, relocation support, and financial housing assistance. Elise was overwhelmed with relief, as she thought her only option was to go back to her husband.

After two days, Elise felt well enough to travel and decided to go stay with her mother in another county. NEWS staff arranged for a bus ticket and food for her journey. We also contacted law enforcement in the new county and forwarded them a copy of Elise’s Protective Order.

NEWS staff followed up with Elise a few weeks later. She was living safely and peacefully at her mother’s home. She felt she has a chance at a new future and even wants to help other victims heal one day.

Click HERE to view our new FY2022-2023 Annual Report!