12. What Domestic Violence Shelters Actually Do: Jenny Green of Alexandra House on Safe Housing, Pets, and the Barriers to Leaving

"I didn't even know I was in an abusive relationship until I found a shelter. Nobody was telling me. I couldn't explain it myself." This episode explores what domestic violence shelters actually do, and why emergency housing is a band-aid, not a cure. Jenny Green, Housing and Supportive Services Director of Alexandra House, walks through what transitional housing, case management, and ongoing support really look like for families starting over with nothing. She also shares the brand new Linus Pet Haven program, making Alexandra House the first domestic violence shelter in the metro area to allow families to bring their pets, removing one of the most heartbreaking barriers to leaving. The conversation covers the real barriers survivors face: no credit, no job history, unaffordable rent, children's schools, and abusers who use pets, cell phones, and parental alienation threats to keep families trapped. And it sounds the alarm on federal funding cuts that could set victim services back a hundred years. If you have ever wondered what a domestic violence shelter actually does, or how you can help, this episode is for you. Send us Fan Mail The personal experiences shared in this podcast are the opinions of the individuals sharing them and are not intended to serve as professional advice or constitute accusations about any other person, organization, or group. We encourage you to seek professional support and assistance. The topics discussed in this podcast may be distressing and triggering for some listeners and could impact your mental health. The content of this podcast is intended for educational and awareness purposes only. For more information and resources, please visit hanginthere.net.