Second Step

CONTACT:

P.O. Box 600213
Newtonville, MA 02460
(617) 965-2393
www.thesecondstep.org

Roberta Rosenberg, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Leaving an abusive situation is only the first step in a battered woman's road to independence, as she and her children crowd into the homes of family and friends, or move into short-term domestic violence shelters. In this transition, many lose their jobs and can no longer make ends meet; children are uprooted from friends and school.

The Second Step (TSS) was founded in 1992 to help with the extremely difficult next step: building a new life. Women are referred to TSS from shelters state-wide, and TSS asks them to commit to at least 3 months, with stated goals chosen by the women themselves. Each is assigned a Case Manager to help her to meet her goals and review progress every 6-12 weeks. The average stay is 9 to 15 months, during which staff meet weekly with residents, and connect them with therapy, job training, and other services needed to meet their own goals. Residents also meet weekly to address common issues such as parenting, stress management, and conflict resolution. Children receive therapy and attend a special after-school program. When a family is ready to leave, TSS helps them find stable, independent housing, and provides follow-up counseling.

By 2004, TSS has served over 250 resident women and children, and over 1,000 in outreach with notable success: 97% of its alumnae do not return to their abusers, 85% now live in their own apartments, and 75% are working or in school. In 1998, TSS received one of only six Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Awards presented by The National Community Development Foundation. TSS needs to grow. You can help make that happen.

(2001: HUMAN SERVICES: Girls and Women: Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse)