Mercury 64 Club Supports Transitions Family Violence Services
by Monte Correll

Transitions Family Violence Services is the sole provider of comprehensive family violence services in Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson, and a co-provider of services for York County. The mission of Transitions Family Violence Services is to build safe and healthy families on the Virginia Peninsula. The agency assists adult and child victims through the provision of shelter, counseling and advocacy services. They work to increase awareness of domestic violence and provide opportunities for community members to participate in our mission. Since 1980, 16,000 clients have been sheltered for 160,000 nights of shelter, yet, to our knowledge, no victim ever sheltered has subsequently been murdered by the abuser. This program literally saves lives.

Transitions implements outreach, emergency, short-term, transitional shelter, and specialized services, providing 90 emergency, short term, and transitional beds and a client service center. A 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, transportation, trained volunteers, and experienced staff enable clients to assess their situations and formulate action plans. Case management, self-sufficiency, outreach for older battered women and child witnesses of violence, internships and community education are priorities. Children's programs include childcare, art/play therapy, after-school tutoring, and conflict resolution. Clients reside 30 days to 2 years before moving to permanent housing, where more than two-thirds have remained in permanent housing since 1991. Clients with substance abuse and employment issues are assisted and given referrals and resources to seek treatment and find employment. KC of Mercury 64 has been involved with Transitions for over 10 years providing financial support for thier services and labor for the upkeep of their facilities.

Shown left Bill Higgins and Frank Dulong at the completed garden for a shelter run by Transitions Family Violence Services. The purpose of the garden is to provide the shelter's children a place where they can plant and nurture flowers and other plants. Shown right two clients and a Transitions staffer planting the garden.