How We Help
Life-Building Services
Trauma is not healed in a day, but you have already done the hardest part – asking for help. And now, you are not alone. You can expect services that will build up what you will need to restore and restart your life, and you can expect us to advocate for you until you have the resources you need.
Our services fall into three categories: Saving Lives, Building Lives, and Changing Lives. Every client, residential or non-residential, is able to opt into the services they need. You set your goals, and we advocate for you and empower you to achieve them.
Many of our Life-Building Services are made possible through partnerships with the community. Each community partner supports us in different ways: Facilitating classes on campus, donating class materials or making financial contributions to our programs. If you would like to get involved as a community partner, please review our Get Involved page. There is a place for you!
The below is not a full list of services, but they are some of our most vital and valued by our former and current clients. All of our services are free and confidential.
Domestic Violence Education
The Merryman House understands that domestic violence affects people in different ways, touching the mind, body, and spirit. We help guide clients through the healing process and then provide them with education to help break the cycle of abuse.
Mental Health Support
Support Groups
Merryman House support groups give clients opportunities to express their thoughts and feelings in safe environments. The mantra “You are not alone” comes to life in these safe spaces as survivors can commune with others who have had similar experiences.
Comprehensive Case Management
Our staff looks at each client as an individual and assesses their situation as a whole. Merryman House case management addresses areas such as abuse history and safety needs, health and physical needs, emotional and psychological issues, legal problems, housing, financial issues, job readiness, educational needs, cultural needs, special needs, and more. Once the needs are identified, specialized advocates, case managers, or licensed professionals meet them on our campus.
Financial Literacy Classes/Economic Empowerment
Financial barriers are the number one reason victims stay with their abusers. Therefore, financial empowerment is one of the most important services we can provide to break the cycle of abuse.
Children's Services
Clients want to provide safe and loving environments for their children, especially after escaping dangerous situations. The Merryman House offers stability and security for these families while also helping boys and girls heal from their own trauma. We host various programs for children and provide homework assistance, childcare, arts exposure, Christmas parties, and more.
Transportation
In rural Kentucky, reliable transportation is essential to trauma survivors. It means sustaining a reliable income and having access to medical care, grocery stores and other community resources. Merryman House staff provide transportation and may supply clients with bus passes and taxi fares. If a client has a medical appointment, we may refer them to the Green River Intra-county Transit System (GRITS), which helps supply transportation to the appointment. Medicaid covers the cost for all GRITS services.
Resource Connection and Referrals
List of Resources
- Goodwill Industries (Clothing and Household Items)
- St. Vincent de Paul Resale and Thrift (Clothing and Household Items)
- Starfish Ministries (Clothing and Household Items)
- Heartland Church (Clothing and Household Items)
- Celebrate Recovery (Addiction)
- Four Rivers Behavioral Health (Mental Health and Addiction)
- The Carson Center (Entertainment and Services for clients)
- West Kentucky Community and Technical College (Education and Salon Services)
- Family Service Society (Housing and Clothing Needs)
- Paducah Police Department (Various Services)
- Lotus (Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy)
- McCracken County Library
- McCracken County Extension Office
- Child Watch
Spiritual Enrichment Program
Privately funded through an anonymous donor and the Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation, the Spiritual Enrichment Program offers an avenue for survivors to reconnect with or find their faith in Christ. The program is voluntary, like all of our services, and offers faith-based connection, support groups and church referrals to our clients. The program offers specialized trainings to church leaders, lay leaders and members about how to identify and respond to abusive relationships, how to set a culture where disclosures of abuse are taken seriously, and how to support the work of local churches in working with survivors within their congregations or communities. Read more here.
Marshall County Resiliency Center
MCRC is a program of the Merryman House that actively seeks to aid those impacted by the events on January 23, 2018, at Marshall County High School. Upon connecting with the MCRC, individuals will meet with an advocate to determine what services they may need: Therapy, education, support groups, expressive arts, spiritual enrichment, community referrals, and open community events. Services are free, voluntary, confidential, and open to all ages residing in the eight-county Purchase Region of Kentucky.
At Merryman House, we are building lives because of the support you provide!
Please continue to support us as we support survivors of domestic violence. DonateContact Us
Whether you are a survivor in need of support or a donor looking to join our mission, there is a place for you here!
PO Box 98
Paducah, KY 42002
TTY: 270-226-1149
Hotline is answered 24/7/365.
Translation services are provided as needed. All services are free and confidential.
Merryman House provides services for survivors of intimate partner violence without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed services, political belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or other health status, social or economic status, non-violent criminal history, citizenship, immigration status, marital status, or language spoken.
Services provided in part or fully by federal, state, and local funds. This project is also funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, contract #C-05199666, subcontracted with the Merryman House, subcontract #21H. Additionally, support comes from Grant #H-00141 awarded through the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet by the U.S. Department of Justice. The content expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet or the U.S. Department of Justice.
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