Nationally, it is estimated that it can takes a domestic violence victim seven tries before they are able to safely remove themselves and—often times—their children, from the abusive relationship. Many people wonder why it’s so difficult for them to just leave.

The reality is that leaving is sometimes the most dangerous, even fatal, thing a victim can do.

These facts are the reason behind the inception of New Life Center (NLC), one of the largest domestic violence shelters in the country, located on the west side of the Valley. In most cases, victims are escaping their abusers while they’re away at work or sleeping in the middle of the night. Because of this, NLC’s Emergency Shelter Program is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, helping give victims respite for up to four months.

Each family who stays at the center is given their own casita, complete with bathroom, shower, beds, closets, dressers and a sitting area with a television. This gives both the survivor and their children a safe, stable space to begin rebuilding their lives. Along with their casitas, residents are offered safety planning, toiletries, clothing, meals, counseling, psychoeducational support groups, case management and more. Safety relocation funds are also available to pay for gas vouchers or bus tickets for the family to relocate out of the city or state with relatives or friends.

Because domestic violence doesn’t just affect the victim, NLC have become experts in caring for children who have been witness to violence in their home. In fact, more than 70 percent of NLC’s emergency shelter population is kids.
To combat the trauma that the children are faced with when entering the shelter, NLC created a program tailored to ensure the young ones are guided through their trauma with an informed child development program. The Children’s Program offers age appropriate group learning opportunities based on the active learning model, individually-tailored goal plans, positive reinforcement for goal achievement and a safe place for children to be free, have fun and enjoy themselves.

Sometimes, however, survivors and their kids need more than just shelter.

“The 104-bed facility we’ve built is the foundation of our agency,” says Myriah Mhoon, CEO of NLC. “But for survivors who aren’t ready to leave their relationship, or don’t need emergency shelter, we offer programs that extend beyond a stay at NLC. Mobile advocacy, lay legal support, housing aid and connecting survivors to groups throughout the Valley are just some of our other outreach services.”

If a survivor has left their relationship and is transitioning, the Outreach Program at NLC is an invaluable resource. Mobile advocates hold office hours to meet with participants in the community around safety planning, case management, resources and referrals, and housing needs.

Additionally, when a survivor is ready to move out of the casitas, they are connected with advocates and given the option to continue to utilize services while residing in the community. Residents are also given furniture, dishes, linens, and more from the center’s thrift store, Hope's Closet, to support the move. These items are delivered and given free of charge to the resident's new home. All proceeds from the store, which is located in Goodyear, are used directly to support the center’s operations.

“We pride ourselves on being trauma-informed at every step of a survivor’s journey,” says Mhoon. “We offer these services to survivors and their families because everyone deserves a violent-free home.

In December 2018, NLC also started serving victims of sexual assault. A total of 12,000 hours of individual support have been provided to individuals and families in need.
To learn more about New Life Center, including volunteer opportunities and how to donate, visit ww.newlifectr.org.