Support

Programs

The most visible aspect of Harbor House programs is our Shelter Program, which meets the critical safety needs of those fleeing abusive situations. However, Harbor House is much more than a safe shelter. Over the years, we have grown to be a comprehensive program center, offering a whole host of services. Six core programs assist us in carrying out our mission. They are as follow:

Shelter Program

  • Safe, temporary emergency shelter
  • 24-hour Crisis Telephone Helpline
    • Referral service
    • Emergency transportation to safety

Women’s Program

Available to all, regardless of whether currently staying in shelter, past visits to shelter or no previous shelter visits.

  • Individual one-on-one support
  • Support groups
  • Legal advocacy
  • Resource referral

Children’s Program

Available to all, regardless of whether currently staying in shelter, past visits to shelter or no previous shelter visits. Work with children through teens.

  • Individual one-on-one support
  • Support groups
  • School outreach and advocacy
  • Legal advocacy
  • Resource referral
  • Prevention education within schools

Community Education and Outreach

  • Specialized training for professionals (health care, clergy, law enforcement, HR professionals, etc.)
  • Community education and group speaking engagements
  • Advocacy on behalf of survivors related to creating awareness of domestic abuse issues, as well as oppression of women and traditionally marginalized groups
  • Volunteer opportunities at Harbor House

Calumet County Outreach Program

From an office located in Chilton and staffed 40 hours per week, Calumet County residents can receive more accessible access to all Harbor House programming for victims and their children. Those in need of shelter would be offered space in our Appleton shelter facility. All other programs apply:

  • Individual one-on-one support
  • Support groups
  • Legal advocacy
  • Resource referral

Domestic Violence Intervention Program

  • Perpetrator assessments
  • Coordination of batterer’s education courses
  • Participation in Outagamie County Domestic Violence Intervention Team and Calumet County Coordinated Community Response Team, both of which monitor the community response to domestic violence incidents within systems (law enforcement, criminal justice, child protective services, probation and parole, etc.)

Services

  • 24-Hour Helpline: anonymous, confidential and free helpline that is available 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Voice, TTY and video phone available.
  • Access to Pet Shelter: For those seeking shelter, Harbor House has a relationship with the Fox Valley Humane Society (FVHS) to provide temporary housing for pets while victims and their children stay in-shelter. While in shelter, victims and their children can visit their animals in a special wing at FVHS. Their pets will not be adopted out, but will have their own shelter provided while their family stays at Harbor House.
  • Advocacy: Support, encouragement and information. Help with housing, links with community agencies and assistance with police, health care providers, clergy, schools and workplaces.
  • Children’s Programming: Advocacy and support to help children of all ages heal from the effects of domestic violence and to promote healthy expressions of emotions. Coordination with schools to keep children in school, with emphasis on prevention and breaking the abuse cycle.
  • Community Education: Harbor House’s community education coordinator provides training and presentations to community groups and organizations, churches, workplaces, salons, colleges, etc. about domestic violence.
  • Emergency Transportation to Safety: Harbor House can arrange transportation in our area if a victim needs to access shelter or health care services.
  • Ending Violence through Education (EVE) Class: Assessment, referral and 15-week class for women arrested for using force during a domestic incident.
  • Legal Advocacy: Assist clients with restraining order paperwork, divorce options and child custody. Accompany victims to injunctions, as well as civil and criminal hearings for advocacy support in Outagamie and Calumet counties.
  • Offender Intervention Program: Assessment, referrals and classes for abusive men; education for perpetrators about abuse; liaison with police departments, probation/parole officers and the district attorney’s office. Note: Men’s Batterer’s Education Programs are not held at Harbor House.
  • Prevention Education: Harbor House’s prevention education coordinator provides presentations at local schools to children and teens about bullying, positive peer relationships and dating violence. It is an off-shoot of our Children’s Program.
  • Shelter: Safe, handicap-accessible, temporary housing. Food, personal care items and clothing are provided in a welcoming and supportive environment. Shelter services also include crisis advocacy, 24-hour helpline, referrals to other agencies, support groups and transportation services.
  • Support Groups: Support, encouragement and education for victims and their children both in and out of shelter, enabling them to share their experiences with others.

Current Support Group Offerings

The following support groups are held at Harbor House’s main location, 720 W. Fifth St., Appleton. It is a good idea if you are planning to attend group for the first time, to call to ensure the group is still being held at the time specified. Child care is provided at no charge by prescreened Harbor House volunteers. Call (920) 832-1667 for group inquiries.

Monday

  • Open Group for Women (6 to 7:30 p.m.) Open Group is offered to all women victimized by domestic abuse, whether they are currently in an abusive relationship or it is a part of their past. The group provides a safe space for women to share their feelings, network with other women and discuss strategies. We encourage attendees to bring a friend. Topics of interest are survivor-driven. Child care provided.
  • Children’s Educational/Support Group (6 to 7:30 p.m.) This group offers age-appropriate information to children, ages 5 to 12, who would like to attend while their mothers are concurrently attending Open Group for Women.

Tuesday

  • Open Talking Circle for Women (6 to 7:30 p.m.) Open Group is available to all formerly and currently abused women. We encourage attendees to bring a friend. Topics of interest are survivor-driven. Child care provided.
  • Native American Women’s Talking Circle (6 to 7:30 p.m.) The Native American Talking Circle is open to all women with a focus on empowering and healing those who’ve experienced addictions, domestic abuse and/or sexual assault with traditional Native American values and beliefs. The facilitator, a staff member at Reach Counseling Services, uses smudging the prayer, along with conversation and an active ear for listening. This group also works collaboratively with the Native American Men’s Drumming Circle, where both groups get together throughout the year to celebrate their healing.

Wednesday

  • Living Skills for Women (6 to 7:30 p.m.) Open Group is offered to all women victimized by domestic abuse, whether they are currently in an abusive relationship or it is a part of their past. The group provides a safe space for women to share their feelings, network with other women and discuss strategies. We encourage attendees to bring a friend. Topics of interest are survivor-driven. Child care provided.

Thursday

  • Women of Wisdom (1:30 to 3 p.m.) Women of Wisdom is an open group for women age 50 and older. Topics for discussion center around the unique issues older women experience either while still living within an abusive relationship, or having moved past one. Also offers hope for older women whose children may be abusive toward them.
  • Wings of Change (6 to 7:30 p.m.) Wings of Change is an open group done in collaboration with National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Fox Valley for women who have experience domestic abuse and are also living with a mental illness.
  • Open Group for Latina Women/Grupo Abierto para Mujera Latinas (6 to 7:30 p.m.) Open Group for Latina Women offers bilingual support and limited immigration information to Latina survivors of domestic violence. Childcare provided. Grupo Abierto para Mujera Latinas ofrece apoyo bilingüe, y información limitada de inmigaracion a sobrevivientes Latinas de la violencia doméstica. El cuidado de niños se proporciona.
  • Family Dynamics (6 to 7:30 p.m.) This open group is an educational, adult discussion on how abuse affects ALL family members.  This group is designed for adults concerned about children or raised in an abusive home themselves.