Description:
The mission of LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence is to interrupt the cycle of domestic violence by responding to those in need, educating our community and advocating for social change. Established in 1977 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lutheran Social Services (LSS) since 2014, CHOICES is the only domestic violence focused shelter in Franklin County providing safe haven and a 24-hour crisis and information hotline. CHOICES also offers counseling services and support groups both in the shelter and community, legal and community advocates, and domestic violence awareness and prevention education.
Mission:
To interrupt the cycle of violence by responding to those in need, educating the community and advocating for social change.
Programs and Services:
CHOICES maintains: a 24-hour emergency shelter; a 24-hour Crisis & Information Hotline; three outpatient counseling sites; a legal advocacy program; a community advocacy program; support groups inside and outside the shelter; an education/outreach program at the Ohio Reformatory for Women and Franklin Medical Center; an educational outreach program designed to spread awareness to central Ohio with printed/recorded materials and volunteer speakers. While it is our mission to eliminate domestic violence, we feel it is our duty to provide victims of domestic violence with every possible resource they need in order to leave their abusive environment. We also refuse to let cultural or language barriers affect our mission, which is why we have long-standing relationships with various interpreting agencies as well as cultural organizations. At CHOICES we are continually refining our services to turn victims into survivors; however, CHOICES’ top priority is always to become aware and address the challenges faced by victims in the first place. Through counseling, advocacy, legal advocacy, support groups and even some occasional shelter recreation time, we are giving victims the tools they need to recover from abuse. Those tools include, but are not limited to, financial literacy, knowledge of social programs, self-esteem and more.
Ways We Invest in CHOICES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
People-Centered Services: $75,000
Address:
1105 Schrock Rd, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43229
Phone:
614.228.5200
Fax:
614. 224.7222
