t Merryman House, our mission is clear: to save, build and change the lives of those affected by domestic violence in the Purchase Area Development District. We offer a variety of services customized to meet the needs of survivors and their families. Each service falls under one of our three overarching mission objectives: Building, Saving or Changing Lives. In this month’s blog, we answer the question: “How Does Merryman House Save Lives?”
You are undoubtedly familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – the theory that suggests there are five interdependent levels of basic human needs each of which must be satisfied. When a survivor of domestic violence comes to Merryman House in crisis, our first step after assuring them they are safe is to begin addressing those needs. We address two areas of Maslow’s needs in this phase of our work:
Physiological Needs (Food, Water, Shelter, Space)
We provide 3 meals a day (Monday – Friday). On the weekends, clients have access to a stocked warming kitchen for leftovers and canned goods. We also provide clients with a safe and quiet space for sleep and recuperation.
Safety Needs
Merryman House provides safety that many of our clients have not experienced. Clients are given a safe space to be – a place where their needs can be expressed and where they are not just free but encouraged to grow.
Simplified, Merryman House saves lives by meeting clients in their darkest moment and provides them with the comfort, support, and encouragement needed to walk away from the past and move into the future.
How Merryman House Meets These Needs
We deliver the following services to clients in order to fulfill these needs:
24-hour Crisis Line
Merryman House’s 24-hour crisis line is a call center staffed with specially-trained personnel who assist callers with safety plans, resources, encouragement, and referrals to services appropriate for their needs (such as the Merryman House Crisis Shelter, Law Enforcement, Emergency Health Services, Community Outreach Programs, etc.)
Crisis Counseling (Adults and Children)
Merryman House’s 24-hour crisis line is a call center staffed with specially-trained personnel who assist callers with safety plans, resources, encouragement, and referrals to services appropriate for their needs (such as the Merryman House Crisis Shelter, Law Enforcement, Emergency Health Services, Community Outreach Programs, etc.)
Medical Advocacy
Medical advocacy services provide accompaniment to victims during times of medical treatment. Our specially trained staff attend medical appointments and ER visits and facilitate communication with medical staff if these services are desired by the client.
Emergency Protective Order Assistance
Kentucky State law requires that victims have 24-hour access to Emergency Protective Orders. Many times, domestic violence incidents occur after traditional business hours. Law Enforcement Personnel assists when they can, however, Merryman House is available 24-hours per day to help victims of domestic violence understand the EPO process and complete the required paperwork.
Lethality Assessment Program
The Lethality Assessment Program is a program designed to allow Law Enforcement to more easily connect survivors to our program. Our program is in partnership with Paducah Police Department and is one of only two like it in the state of Kentucky!
Officers use an 11-question survey to help them efficiently and compassionately collect information when they are called to respond to a domestic violence incident. Law Enforcement Officers refers high risk clients to our 24-hour crisis line and provides the information to our staff so follow-up services can be coordinated when appropriate.
24-hour Emergency Shelter
Our Emergency Shelter is designed and funded to provide a safe space of temporary refuge for victims of domestic violence. The shelter provides housing, food, community resources, and development programs.
At Merryman House, we are saving lives because of the support you provide! Please continue to support us as we support survivors of domestic violence.
Services Rendered Last Fiscal Year:
572
24 Hour Crisis Line/Lethality Assessments
406
Emergency Protective Order Assistance
65
Medical Advocacy
1168
Crisis Counseling (Adults and Children)
75
Relocation Services
