National Domestic Violence Counts Report

The 12th annual Domestic Violence Counts Report is in.  On 9-13-17, 1,694 out of 1,873 (90%) identified domestic violence programs in the US participated in the National Census of DV Services.  The following are some of the figures that represent the information provided by these 1,694 participating programs during this 24-hour period.

 

•             72,245 victims were served in one day

•             40,470 adult & child victims of DV found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing provided by local DV programs

•             31,775 adult & child victims received non-residential assistance and services that included counseling, legal advocacy and children’s support groups

•             20,352 hotline calls were answered (an average of 848 calls per hour or more than 14 calls per minute)

•             In the past year, 531 of the programs surveyed (31%) laid off or left unfilled 1,077 staff positions nationwide.  Most of these positions (62%) were direct service providers, such as shelter staff or legal advocates. 

•             On Census Day, 102 of the participating DV programs (6%) were impacted by, or still recovering from natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, or flooding. 

Summer Hours Set for MAX

MAX, Macon County Assistance eXchange, is a joint effort  to provide a centralized location to provide monetary support to persons in the community who have a verified emergency need.

MAX provides a systematic way to verify their needs and respond in a timely manner to those needs.  Financial support is from area congregations, individuals and foundations. 

 MAX also works with AMEREN IP to distribute funding through the Warm Neighbors Cool Friends Program, which assists persons with payment of their power bills, in Macon and DeWitt Counties.

Most people seeking help are sent to MAX from the 211 program, social service agencies and area congregations with anticipation of helping clients.   Others seeking assistance have learned about the program from family, friends and public/social media.

MAX Volunteers work with those seeking assistance, helping them fill out an application for assistance.  The client then meets with the Coordinator to review the need.  The application is reviewed and verified, then appropriate decisions on granting requests, up to $300 are made.  A person may be helped once every 366 days.

No cash is ever given, when assistance is granted, a check is issued to the vendor or landlord.  Other requests are referred to appropriate agencies. And other resources are shared with the clients as needed (food pantries and clothing rooms sites, etc.)

New Summer hours are the follow, designed to reach out to those in need:

Site: Decatur First United Methodist Church, 201 W. North, Decatur

Hours:  Monday - Thursday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Site:  Dove Clinton Office, 803 W. Leander, Clinton

Hours:  Tuesday Mornings, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Warm Neighbors Cool Friends

　

Site:  Homeward Bound Offices, 788 E. Clay, Decatur

Hours: 2nd and 4th  Thursdays of the month, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Site: The Good Samaritan Inn, 920 N. Union Street, Decatur

Hours: 2nd and 4th  Fridays of each month, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Site:

Prairie Avenue Christian Church, 2201 E. Prairie, Decatur

Hours:  Wednesday Mornings, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Picture of Decatur First United Methodist Church, home base for the program. 

New this summer, additional location and times.