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At Genesis House, our Mission is to provide a comprehensive range of family-focused services for Lorain County victims of domestic violence. We strive to provide tools to both survivors and loved ones affected by domestic violence in order to:
- Maximize victim’s opportunity to survive and families to heal
- Obtain physical and mental well-being, while helping them to gain independence
- Minimize the trauma involved in coping with family violence
We serve a dual purpose to be a part of a collaborative community effort to provide a responsive system of care for victims while also raising awareness about domestic violence. Home isn’t always a safe and happy place. With Genesis House Shelter there’s help and hope. If you or someone you love is being hurt, help is available, 24 hours a day.
How far does a $15 donation to Genesis House go?
- Provides an hour of domestic violence advocacy…or
- Provides an hour of play group for a child…or
- Provides 1 hour of coverage on our 24 hour Hotline…or
- Provides an hour of 1-to-1 crisis intervention…or
- Feeds a mother and her child at our shelter for a day
Item Donations
When individuals come into our shelter they often come with little to no belongings. Genesis House provides our residents with any basic items they may need including hygienic items, food, undergarments, new bedding, pajamas as well as anything they need for their children such as diapers, wipes, and formula. Genesis House relies on the generous contributions from the community for many of these items. Donation needs vary based on what we have in our donation room. For the latest list of agency needs or more information about making a donation call Genesis House at (440)-323-3400.
Wish List
- Check Out our New Amazon Wish List!
- Cleaning products
- Journals and Planners
- Adult coloring books
- Small round laundry baskets
- Plastic Solo Cups
- Disposable Bowls
- Medium and Large Birthday Gift Bags
- Dish soap
- Hand Soap
- Swiffer wet cloths
- Toilet Paper
- Paper towels
- Dryer Sheets
- Tissues
- Garbage Bags
- New headphones/earbuds, corded or Bluetooth
- Multicultural hair care products
- Gift cards to Walmart, Meijer, or Giant Eagle
- Gas-only gift cards
- Compact umbrellas (tote size)
- Diapers size 6
- Bags of individually wrapped candy
- Copy paper
- Postage Stamps
- Mailing Envelopes
*** Please Note That Due To Limited Storage Space We Do Not Accept Donations Of Hotel/Travel Sized Items Or Used Clothing.
Support Group Materials Wish List
- Clear stones for affirmation magnets
- Magnets or magnet roll
- Mod Podge
- Essential Oils
- Felt (by the yard, various colors)
- Posterboard (large and small)
- Gel Pens or other colorful pens
- Coloring Pencils
- Small containers for ‘moment of zen’ activity
- Rice (for rice socks)
- 2 oz small plastic containers with lids
- 6-12 oz plastic jars with lids
- Battery operated tea light candles
- Tissue paper (bright colors, purple)
- Blank greeting cards with envelopes
- Fidget/Sensory items (fidget spinner/cubes, pop-its, tangle, stretch noodles, etc)
Our Services
Shelter: Genesis House is the only domestic violence shelter in Lorain County • We provide information, shelter, and support to men women and children of all ages who are fleeing domestic violence, and provide for all basic needs while they are in shelter
AfterCare Services: Genesis House provides continued supportive services to survivors of domestic violence after they have left our shelter • Gatherings are held regularly for AfterCare participants, and basic needs items are continually offered to program participants
Hotline: Genesis House provides a 24-hour crisis hotline • The numbers are 440-323-3400 or 440-244-1853
Support Groups: Genesis House offers support groups at different days and times, at different locations in Lorain County • To attend a support group, simply call the hotline for more information
Legal Advocacy: Our Legal Advocates are stationed at municipal courts throughout Lorain County • They provide support and accompaniment to victims at court hearings and to obtain protection orders • Legal Advocates help victims understand their rights as a crime victim.
Disabilities Advocacy: Genesis House employs an advocate whose special focus is working with people who are living with a disability. She provides an additional layer of advocacy for people in shelter, in the community and in AfterCare programming who may have a disability. • Genesis House facilitates a domestic violence support and education group at Gathering Hope House, a drop-in center for people who have a sever mental illness. • Genesis House also collaborates in initiatives like the Functional Needs Committee and the Elder Abuse Network.
Childrens’s Advocacy: The Child Advocate at Genesis House has a degree in Art Therapy, and she facilitates art groups with children in the community who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. These groups are not clinical in nature and are meant to help children who’ve experienced family violence identify an alternate form of self-expression to increase their tools to cope with trauma. • Children’s Advocacy is done with each child who comes through shelter, consisting of age-appropriate activities, groups and linkage with community resources • Developmental screenings are done with the youngest children in shelter, using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire
Project S.A.F.E. (Safety for Animal and Families in Emergencies): Genesis House has partnered with the Friendship APL to develop a fostering program for the companion animals of survivors who are in shelter.
Community Education & Prevention Efforts: Genesis House provides evidence-based prevention education to every school district in Lorain County, reaching thousands of students each year • Teen Street Teams exist throughout schools in Lorain County. These are groups of students who have committed to offering a voice against domestic violence, and educating their peers about dating violence. Teacher advisors lead these groups, with the technical assistance of our Manager of Community Education. • Genesis House won the Ohio Attorney General’s 2011 Promising Practice Award for our work in creating the Teen Street Team program
M.A.P.: MAP (Men’s Anti-violence Program) is an evidence-based batterer’s intervention program facilitated by Genesis House. • The program is a 26 week curriculum focusing on accountability and ideology of the batterer • This program meets or exceeds all Best Practice standards for the State of Ohio Batterer’s Intervention Programming.
