Verde Valley News – Although Verde Valley Sanctuary provides a 24/7/365 crisis hotline, emergency shelter and transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, the agency also focuses its efforts on community outreach, including their monthly visits to local Verde Valley libraries to host educational support groups.
Held typically during the fourth week of every month, VVS advocates rotate between the Cottonwood Public Library, Camp Verde Community Library and Community Library Sedona to offer survivors a place to receive support.
Community Based Advocacy Director Vivien Mann said all survivors are welcome.
“We offer survivors of domestic and sexual violence an avenue to continue their healing process with our educational support groups,” Mann said. “These groups are held in a private space to protect anonymity and confidentiality.”
Mann stated that VVS advocates can provide childcare when needed during the session, as long as a survivor calls in advance (928-641-6916), while bilingual support and a private room at the library are also provided.
Since its inception in 1993, VVS has held various versions of educational support groups, but this unique opportunity for survivors to visit a safe space at a public library in their own town allows VVS advocates to bring their expertise to the client, instead of meeting them first once in crisis at shelter, or through lay legal services.
“Healing from trauma can be very lonely and we want survivors to know that they don’t have to walk the path alone,” Mann said. “We are here for safety planning, advocacy, court support, and guidance to other resources to ease their situation.”
The curriculum focuses on three main pieces of agency support: domestic violence, sexual violence and healing from trauma.
VVS advocates can aid survivors in identifying unhealthy relationships, safety planning, and how domestic violence effects children. Advocates can also reveal a pattern of behavior used to gain or maintain power and control.
In sexual violence cases, VVS advocates can help a survivor identify the many faces of coercion and harassment, while exploring options after assault, victim’s rights, secondary victims and moving forward.
Lastly, VVS advocates can guide survivors in finding their way to healing and activities such as journaling, poetry, art, music and movement.
The educational support group schedule is as follows:
- Camp Verde Community Library, 130 Black Bridge Loop Road: Fourth Tuesday every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Community Library Sedona, 3250 White Bear Road: Fourth Wednesday every month from 4 to 5 p.m.
- Cottonwood Public Library, 100 S. 6th St.: Four Thursday every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
For more information about the educational support groups at a Verde Valley library near you, please reach out to Mann at 928-641-6916, or email vivien@verdevalleysanctuary.org.
If you need immediate help, please call 9-1-1 in an emergency. If you are in crisis and need help with a safety plan, our advocates can assist by calling the hotline at 928-634-2511.
About
Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1993 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 32-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, a lay legal advocacy center, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.