Second Step Inc

THE SECOND STEP IS A COMMUNITY OF SURVIVORS, ADVOCATES, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO FOSTER THE SAFETY, STABILITY, AND WELL-BEING OF THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE PROVIDE FREE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING SAFETY PLANNING, LEGAL ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, PEER SUPPORT, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO ADULT AND CHILD SURVIVORS HEALING FROM THE TRAUMA OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, IN GREATER BOSTON AND EASTERN MA.

TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM: TSS OFFERS 2 TRANSITIONAL LIVING OPTIONS. WE OPERATE TWO RESIDENCES FOR FAMILIES LEAVING EMERGENCY, SHORT-TERM SHELTER. FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO REMAIN FOR UP TO TWO YEARS DURING WHICH THEY ENGAGE IN SERVICES DESIGNED TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. FAMILIES - ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE - HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES SUCH AS EXTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, LEGAL ADVOCACY, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SUPPORTIVE AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL GROUPS, FAMILY NURTURING AND STABILIZATION SERVICES, ASSISTANCE WITH THE HOUSING SEARCH PROCESS, AND REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES, SERVICES, AND SYSTEMS AS APPROPRIATE. WE ALSO OFFER A RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM WHERE HOUSING ADVOCATES HELP FAMILIES IDENTIFY A PERMANENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT. SURVIVORS RECEIVE ALL THE ABOVE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS, INCLUDING SHORT TERM RENT SUBSIDIES, WHILE IN THEIR OWN UNITS.

PREVENTION, INTERVENTION & EDUCATION PROGRAM: TSS PROVIDES EXTENSIVE SERVICES TO SURVIVORS IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING SAFETY PLANNING AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO BUILD SKILLS, DEVELOP RESILIENCE, HEAL FROM TRAUMA AND THRIVE. SERVICES INCLUDE PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL EDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT; ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS; MENTORING; FINANCIAL WELLNESS; ACCESS TO RESOURCES SUCH AS MENTAL/PHYSICAL HEALTH, BENEFITS, CHILD CARE; WELLLNESS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND COPING STRATEGIES. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: WE KNOW THAT YOUTH SURVIVORS OF DV ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS LATER IN LIFE, WHETHER THEY ARE VICTIMS OR PERPETRATORS. BY INCLUDING LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND FAITH COMMUNITIES IN OUR OUTREACH AND PREVENTION EFFORTS, WE ARE ABLE TO INTEGRATE OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND DIRECT SERVICE ACTIVITIES WITHIN A LARGER CONTEXT OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACROSS THE BOARD. WE ALSO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATION FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY, FOCUSING ON TOPICS SUCH AS HEALTHY/UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE, BYSTANDER INTERVENTION, AND HOW TO HELP PEERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE IN VIOLENT AND ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

STEPS TO JUSTICE: FREE TRAUMA INFORMED LEGAL SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS. OUR TEAM OF STAFF ATTORNEYS PROVIDES FULL REPRESENTATION, LIMITED ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATION, ADVICE & CONSULTATION ON MATTERS INCLUDING ABUSE PREVENTION ORDERS, FAMILY LAW, IMMIGRATION AND HOUSING.