Lauren Smith

New Beginnings empowers survivors and mobilizes community awareness and action to end domestic violence. New Beginnings is the only domestic violence agency in Seattle offering housing, community programs and a 24-hour helpline. Annually we empower more than 4,000 domestic violence survivors and community members to realize their strength and build healthy relationships. Emergency Shelter: Women and children experiencing domestic violence struggle to find safe, confidential housing enabling them to flee. We fill this need with an emergency shelter to provide immediate escape. Transitional Housing: We enable stability for families rebuilding their lives through long-term housing solutions with our Transitional Housing apartments. With 17 fully furnished units, we can house women and children for up to 18 months. Individual Advocacy: We offer local, trained advocates who provide individual support and empower survivors to connect with needed resources including legal advocacy. Parenting Groups: The parenting program is designed to help parents who have experienced domestic violence understand the impact on their children and themselves; to teach parents how to talk to and listen to their children about their experience of the violence and to encourage childrens' resiliency. Kids’ Club: We help children learn how to express and articulate their feelings more openly. Using visual techniques, talk, and play, we help children recognize what "mean and hurtful" behavior looks and feels like, and that this behavior is a choice that is never acceptable. Owning Up: We have facilitated Owning Up in Seattle middle schools since 2006. We utilize a culturally-competent violence prevention program that has been thoroughly researched and evaluated. The curriculum is gender-specific, and incorporates interactive activities such as role plays, journaling, and interviews.