In May of 2007, Beacon of Hope Center for Women, Inc, grew out of a fundraiser for an existing domestic violence shelter, Sheltering Wings hosted by our current Executive Director.

In 2010, Beacon of Hope has already accomplished many of their goals:

• Hired our Executive Director, Terry Moore (co-founder)
  
  
• Hired our Office Manager
  
  
• Hired our Victim Advocate
  
  
• Launched our Foster Pet Program - July of 2010
  
  
• Beacon of Hope grew their Board of Director's
  
  
• Public Speaking engagements on the Westside to gain support from the community
  
  
• Launched press releases to partner with the media
  
  
• Designed our facebook fan page
  
  
• Hosted our Pampering for a Purpose night fundraiser, Hawaiian Beach Party, Golf Outing, and our Car Show
  
  
• as of August 28th, we are preparing for our Pampering Night in honor of Domestic Violence and our 4th Live/Silent Purse Auction
  
  
• Have partnered with local churches, organizations and companies to end the cycle of domestic violence
  
  
• Local newspapers, TV stations and Radio stations have published numerous articles and notices concerning Beacon of Hope and its activities.
  
  
• Beacon of Hope has been involved in the community raising awareness and funds to realize its goal of:
  
  
  • Alleviating overburdened systems which currently field DV calls
    
    
  • Addressing the needs of Indianapolis' Westside DV victims by:
    • promoting community education of DV issues

A WOMAN IS ABUSED EVERY 9 SECONDS

Statistics show 51 women, children and men lost their lives to domestic violence from July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

• In most cases, attacks are witnessed by children. Children from homes where domestic violence is present are more likely to be victims of abuse themselves.
  
  
• Women, children and family pets are losing their lives everyday in the USA
  
  
• One out of every three teens are involved in a violent dating relationship.
  
  
• There are very few organizations on the Westside to assist victims.
  
  
• Shelter providers have stated they need our help with the overwhelming amount of calls they receive from the Westside.
  
  
• Domestic violence abuse is the leading cause of women coming to the emergency rooms over car accidents and cancer.
  
  
• Domestic violence is in our neighborhoods, schools, churches, work places and possibly, in your own home.
  
  

Beacon of Hope is excited to be collaborating and building lasting relationships with other shelter providers and organizations such as Sheltering Wings, Legacy House, Connect2Help, Neighborhood Legal Association, Desert Rose, Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence Network, Marion County Prosecutors Office and Wayne Township Adult Eduction.

Beacon of Hope provides tender loving care for any victim of domestic violence abuse. We have trained volunteers fielding crisis calls from victims, and to assist them with the proper resources. We provide group and individual counseling from Licensed Social Workers. Individual counseling is on a sliding scale. Group counseling meets 2x/month at no charge. We assist the victims needing help with pets to reach safety through our Foster Pet Program. We offer Life Skills Training such as; resume writing, computer and typing skills, dressing for success, and bank account budgeting. We provide clothing and food to those who need it.

Our first priority is safety for the women and children This means we will need funding to advance our programs to help women and children. We are networking with businesses primarily on the Westside who is willing to partner with us as resources to meet the needs of these women and their precious children. We are looking for businesses and organizations who are able to assist the women with counseling, medical attention, transportation needs, child care needs, and who will be able to help with daily physical needs such as food, clothing and personal care. We are networking with schools and companies to assist in job development and placement.

There is much to do because, THE NEED IS GREAT. We are confident that we will be led to find many in Indianapolis who are eager and able to help.

As a domestic violence survivor from a previous marriage, I have a deep passion for this cause and I urge each one of you reading our website, to help in anyway you can to break the cycle of domestic violence. From my own experience, domestic violence robs a woman of their self worth, dignity and feeling like a whole person, the way God created us to be.

Please feel free to contact me at (317) 731-6131. If you need immediate help and are in danger, please call 911. If you are looking for other resources for help with food, shelter, counseling or other services you may call 211 after our normal business hours.

I would like to take this time to show my appreciation to all the individuals, companies, organizations and churches who have donated their money, time and efforts to help Beacon of Hope succeed in their 1st year of opening. Without you, we would not be a thriving organization on the Westside of Indianapolis serving victims of domestic violence.

Best Regards,
Terry Moore, Executive Director
Beacon of Hope Center for Women, Inc.