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Harbor House of Central Florida Inc.
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July 12, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I am volunteer with Harbor House and I just learned that my job is ending in a few weeks. My first thought was not that I will not be getting a regular pay check but that I am going to sign up for more volunteer events and hours. I got involved with Harbor House because I was a victim of emotional abuse and later a close family member domestic violence. The emotional abuse lasted longer than the physical but both were life changing. I decided to become an advocate on my own and put together resources. For a few years I just printed off information from the Harbor House website and passed out but as I encountered individuals who needed to contact them speak on issues of what to expect, etc. I decided to volunteer and learn how they really help. It has been the best thing I could do. I volunteer for other agencies but this is one of my favorites. I put the tear off sheets that they make available to put in public places. I had the opportunity to volunteer with childcare at a support group and the joy of knowing a parent is safe but getting help on learning to heal. I am not a professional but felt it was important to help the professional counsel the parents knowing their child was in a safe place. The information that I learned from the Recognize, Respond, Refer class and the CORE Class was the best. My sister who is a resident manager in another state had a case with a tenant that was domestic violence and she did not know how to help her..we were able with the R3 App locate a shelter in the city she was and I sent my sister materials from Harbor House that was basic information until she could get the lady to call the shelter. I was able to talk to the tenant via phone and explain the danger she was in based on what my sister had witness in the rental office. The boyfriend was arrested and because of lease agreement the tenant was afraid to move. With information we gathered my sister was able to contact the corporate office, share some of the information that I had gained and I explained how not only was the tenant in danager but all of those who lived in her building direct or indirectly. I felt really great when my sister called me back said that the corporate office approved to let the lady out of her lease so she could move while the boyfriend was in jail and she was able to make connection with family members to move and would contact the local DV center for follow up. I learned all of this by seeing all the good work done here at Harbor House and felt really empowered that I was able to share the knowledge. I highly recommend you get involved with your time, talent, financial anyway possible. Get the wish list, if just every person did one item a month it would help. I don't see losing my job as bad as losing the life of someone who could have been saved. Everyone can do something, please visit their website.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
July 12, 2012
M.O.S.T. is a Orlando crime prevention effort.As we tracked commonalities within cases,it was remarkable how many criminals were either affected by domestic abuse as a youngster and/or a domestic abuse perpetrator currently. We knew that we had to learn more about it all and sought out volunteer training w/ Harbor House. The scope of what they do is impressive. In 2010 to 2011 they completed 8,483 safety plans with clients/survivors,provided 32,772 hrs of counseling,fielded 8825 crisis hotline calls,provided advocacy,childcare,court services,trained volunteers and created awareness of domestic violence. Their community and business education program, Project Courage, did many trainings and field events while being endorsed by the Orlando Police Department. Harbor House recently broke ground on a shelter for the pets involved in domestic abuse affected homes. Personally, Harbor House and Project Courage opened our eyes that as men we have. A responsibilty to entice other men to break the stereotypes that mislead people into thinking domestic abuse is allright within our lives and pop culture. They have our respect and support. - Make Orlando Safe Today Admin
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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