The purpose of the Emergency Shelter is to provide safe housing to women and children, along with advocacy and education, in order that current residents may attain alternative housing.

The Emergency Shelter is a safe, locked facility staffed by trained professionals 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.  Along with housing, the shelter provides emergency food, personal items, transportation assistance, information & referral services, and emotional support.

The YWCA shelter housed 1,409 women and children in 2008. There are many reasons women seek our shelter but the top three reasons are domestic violence, homelessness, and economic devastation. In 2008, 808 women came to our safe haven due to domestic violence, 320 for homelessness, and 114 for economic devastation.

For more information on the emergency shelter or if you would like to make a donation, click here.

Backgrounds of Women in the Shelter

There is no typical person staying at the YWCA Emergency Shelter. Situations vary greatly, from needing a place to sleep to needing protective shelter from an abuser. All needs of residents are of equal importance. All women and children have one thing in common-the right to shelter and respect. Some situations you will encounter include abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, chemical), mental illness, homelessness due to economic situations and transitional situations. Each individual deserves respect and support. Some women and children need encouragement to seek counseling for their situation. Others desire empathy and acceptance of their feelings toward themselves and others. There are women who have experienced domestic violence, including physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse or neglect. Their feelings may include insecurity, fear and lack of trust in themselves and others. They are unsure of what positive actions can be taken for themselves. Some feel responsible and/or deserving of the actions that have been directed toward them. Some do not know or realize that there are healthier forms of dealing with feelings of anger, hate, love and affection. There are those who need a place to call "home" until a more permanent residence can be found. Often times, this occurs because of economic factors like unemployment or underemployment. In other cases, it involves women who have been discharged from local treatment centers or psychiatric institutions and other facilities. These women are in need of reassurance that they have the right to be at the Shelter. Those who are in the midst of their illness (physical or mental) require special acceptance. Some residents are dealing with more than one crisis and are feeling extremely depressed, angry and confused. Simple reassurance and acceptance of their needs and feelings can help very much. Some do not know that options are available. Their hope for the future needs to be expanded with new options. We encourage them to seek assistance from other agencies for educational, counseling, legal and social service help. Once such contacts are made, some women need further encouragement to attend their appointments and to continue seeking help. The decisions they make about their lives must be accepted even when we (you) may disagree. Remember it is their life and their consequences. The YWCA, its staff and volunteers are not present to force specific action, but to guide and support.

Real Life Examples

Following are several examples of YWCA Shelter clients. The names have been changed to insure client confidentiality.

Beverly

Beverly and her three children, ages 13, 11 and 2, were referred to the YWCA Emergency Shelter by Cass County Social Services. They were being evicted from their apartment, had little financial resources and nowhere else to go. When Beverly arrived, she received toiletries, food and clothing for herself and her children. While residing in the shelter, she began to reevaluate her problems and decided that her declining mental health was an issue. Shelter staff referred her to Southeast Human Service Center where she engaged in day treatment.  Her children remained with her at the shelter as they worked through their issues.  With help from a housing authority, Beverly was able to find a suitable apartment for her family and began to build a new life. Beverly is still making positive changes and those changes are reflected through her family.

Kara

Kara's employer brought her to the shelter. She was 60 years old and had been enduring life with an abusive husband for too many years. Kara felt there was no choice for her but to continue existing in that situation. Her employer encouraged her to take some time to reconsider. Kara made several telephone calls to her children, who were grown and living in various parts of the United States. Kara decided to take a "time-out". She came to the YWCA Emergency Shelter with no possessions. The YWCA staff provided her with food, personal items and vouchers for clothing (she wore blue jeans for the first time in 60 years and loved them). Kara eventually returned to her original situation. Upon exiting the YWCA Shelter, Kara was told that she could return if her situation worsened and she knows that if she ever needs a place to go the door to the YWCA Emergency Shelter is always open.

Marlene

Day One of Minnesota telephoned the YWCA Emergency Shelter to confirm that Marlene and her two daughters, ages 14 and 13, had arrived safely. Marlene had been in an abusive marriage for 15 years and managed to escape for the first time. She came to Fargo and sought the help of NW Legal Services of Minnesota, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center and the YWCA Emergency Shelter. While an Order for Protection was being processed, Marlene began counseling with the RACC. As soon as the Protection Order was completed, the Sheriff's Department in her home town served the papers to her husband, and Marlene and her children were able to return to their home in Minnesota.

Shelter Faith Community Nurse

The Shelter Faith Community Nurse (SFCN) has the opportunity to meet with each resident to discuss and assess the health care needs they may have – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is an opportunity for the resident to determine their biggest concerns and how they can be managed. The SFCN is an advocate for the resident, a resource for referrals, a health counselor, a spiritual liaison, and a health educator regarding certain diseases, medications as well as good self care. The health issues that many experience are diabetes, hypertension, obesity, alcoholism, drug issues, abuse and loneliness or isolation. It is important for the SCFN to work closely with the YWCA Shelter staff to provide the best possible outcome for each of the residents. The SFCN also works as a liaison to the community resources, connecting with the various agencies. Recently, the Homeless Health nurse and the SFCN worked together to help a resident understand and choose to follow through with proper diabetic care. With encouragement, education, and a sense of increased confidence in herself, the resident saw the value of diabetic care. She also began a food journal, recorded the blood sugars and medications, and started managing her diabetes versus allowing the diabetes to control her. The joy and increased confidence in her face told the story. Not only did she feel better physically, but she also had renewed confidence and trust in herself.

Classes are offered monthly on topics of empowerment, time management, making and implementing action plans, and maintaining overall good physical health. This past fall, MeritCare’s Living Well Workshop was offered at the YWCA. Shelter residents and community members participated in six 2 ½ hour classes. The attendance and enthusiasm remained high during these six weeks and many experienced success in reaching their goals.

The Shelter Faith Community Nurse is a result of the collaborative effort and alliance between MeritCare and the YWCA Cass Clay (started in the fall of 2006). The SFCN is a registered nurse with education in holistic health care that focuses on mind, body, and spirit. On average, the SFCN saw nearly 50 residents in a month’s time at the Shelter and in the Transitional Housing program.