Southern Indiana is blessed to have an organization that does the work that Middle Way House does. It is such a deep organization in that not only if you are a survivor of domestic and sexual violence or human trafficking services and support are provided, the Middle Way House Prevention team educates the community on Building Health Relationships, prevention and resources.
Review from Guidestar
I worked at Middle Way House for almost two years. They did not respect their staff and the families who lived at shelter or the Rise. They did not care about the families health and safety. They also never offered counseling to any of the women that lived at shelter or the Rise
An exceptional organization with a big heart that engages the community local+ to support the holistic healing of victims of violence. The staff is sincerely committed to all aspects of that healing and the journey for all who enter Middle Way House.
Middle way house is wonderful! I work for a school that has been helping Middle Way House with making laundry detergent for their residents and my students have been so happy to help! They totally see the importance of this organization and how much they help the community.
I have worked in nonprofits for most of my professional career and recently joined the Middle Way House family as the Communications & Outreach Coordinator. Every single staff member is dedicated to the mission of supporting all survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and educating the community through outreach and prevention programs; they are also some of the most loving people I have met. I experienced childhood and adult trauma related to sexual assault/abuse and domestic violence as well as witnessed abuse within my immediate family throughout my life. Working here is very close to my heart, and I am grateful for organizations, such as, Middle Way House, that provide hope, love, and safety to those who are in need.
I am a current employee of Middle Way House and this is one of the most rewarding jobs I have had. My coworkers are so genuine and kind and it's a pleasure to come to work every day. We share in each others' successes and help lift each other up when needed. Knowing that the work I do helps to make a difference in people's lives is a wonderful feeling.
For 50 years, Middle Way House has served individuals in our community. My first interaction with Middle Way House occurred when I finally decided to reach out for help. I knew that Middle Way House existed to help individuals experiencing domestic violence, but I believed the abuse I experienced was my fault like many survivors. From a history of childhood trauma to abusive relationships as an adult, the belief that I was terrible and didn't deserve any help solidified in my mind. On the day my abuser was arrested, an officer gave me information about Middle Way House and suggested that I reach out to them. I honestly thought that the police officer was mistaken in thinking I deserved help, but I thought his mistake permitted me to reach out for help. Connecting with Middle Way House was one of the most life-changing moments of my life. The importance of learning that I did not deserve to be abused and realizing that someone would listen to me opened the door to me recognizing that Middle Way House was a place that I could trust. I used many of their services, including transitional housing, as I returned to school and the workforce. A few years later, my path continued to cross with Middle Way House through work, and a job position in Middle Way House's transitional housing program (the Rise!) opened up. A staff person at Middle Way House suggested I apply. The idea of working for an organization and alongside the staff that essentially saved me seemed like the most incredible opportunity. In accepting the job as Community Service Coordinator twelve years ago, I felt my life go full circle. Today, I am the Executive Director and have had the honor of the most amazing mentors in this work. Every day I have the privilege of seeing the most dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers working to empower survivors, help those in crisis and work with prevention efforts to end violence. Their commitment to helping others as they work to end domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in the lives of all people is unmatchable, and it is an honor to support them in their work every day!
Debra A. Morrow
Working at Middle Way House has been a unique and wonderful experience. I first heard of Middle Way House in 2017 when my sister picked me up from my college dorm and asked if I could help her with a volunteering task she had to do. She handed me a map of some trees located by the courthouse and said we were going to measure them. She then proceeded to say it was for the annual Wrapped in Love event that Middle Way House holds. She explained that Middle Way House is a nonprofit organization that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. This hit home for us because we grew up in a home where domestic violence was present. I became so interested in the organization and knew I wanted to become a part of it one day. A few years later I decided to apply for the Crisis Intervention Internship. I did not know what to expect and was extremely nervous on my first day. That quickly changed as soon as I step foot inside the shelter. Everyone is so welcoming and they ensure you feel comfortable understanding your role. I was very impressed of how helpful everyone was. I really enjoyed my internship and once it was over, I started working as a resident advocate.
My role as a resident advocate is to work alongside our crisis intervention specialists to provide survivor centered services to our residents as well as anyone who contacts our 24/7 crisis line. I also use my native language, Spanish, to communicate with survivors who do not speak English. Most importantly, my role is to listen and provide emotional support for our survivors and letting them know they are not alone.
I am grateful to work for an organization that cares about their advocates, survivors, donors, and anyone who is a part of Middle Way House. It creates so many opportunities for survivors of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Human Trafficking and helps them get back on their feet. I value our mission and enjoy working for an organization that cares about their community.
I first became aware of MWH in the early 90's when I became homeless due to domestic violence. I was only 22 at the time. I lived at MWH (in the big yellow house) for 9 months. The advocates at the time helped me a great deal. I learned that I was worth more than what my family(my abusers were my parents) taught me. I kind of grew up in those 9 months at MWH and am so grateful for the organization. Of course the staff was very small at the time but they all did their best to help the residents at the time.
After the 9 months they helped me find my own apartment and life has been so much better as a result of the help I received from them.
Today I am happy to say that I am the Human Resources coordinator for this wonderful organization. I have been working here for 6 years. Even though I am not in direct service, I see and feel the good things we do for our clients everyday. I am behind the scenes dealing with the employees and supporting them in every way that I can. It feels like I am giving back what I received so many years ago.
As a long time volunteer and now member of Middle Way House’s Board of Directors, the agency’s focus on a client-centered empowerment model has always impressed me.
MWH recognizes that survivors are the experts about their own lives. Rather than telling them what they must do, the agency provides them information and alternatives to living with violence.
The staff are incredible. They are caring professionals who provide a wide range of services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking including emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal advocacy, and childcare. Their commitment to Middle Way House’s mission is exemplary.
I love my position as House Manager at Middle Way House. I have the opportunity to work closely with our residents to help fulfill their basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. While it can be difficult work seeing the harm caused to these strong individuals/children, my role also consists of working closely with donors who want to contribute to our families better life. It brings the residents such joy to be able to receive items from the donations room that have been so thoughtfully given, and it brings light to my life as well that helps balance out the darker days.
Daily I work with our Resident Advocates and our Crisis Interventionists within the emergency shelter. Our passionate team of Resident Advocates empower, encourage and believe in our residents, who may not quite believe in themselves yet. . Our Crisis Interventionists are a dedicated group of individuals who not only support our residents but constantly strive to support individuals outside of shelter who are experiencing sexual violence, domestic violence and human trafficking.
There are so many other important people within Middle Way House that I could tell you about all day, but I encourage you to check out our organization and see what we offer to support our community through advocacy, prevention and education, legal advocates and more.
It brings me great pride to work for an organization that constantly strives to be better and cares so much for our community. Nothing brings me greater joy than taking care of our residents and working for Middle Way House.
Middle Way House does so much for the survivors of our community in Bloomington. I have lived here for more than five years and have witnessed first hand the impact that the organization makes within the community- especially last year during the pandemic. I hope that they are able to continue to do important work and provide services for people within Bloomington and the surrounding counties for many years to come.
I have worked on women's issues for decades-- and seldom have I seen an organization that addresses all aspects of women's lives -- from being there when women are shattered, to giving them a sheltering place to heal and learn and grow, to providing her job training, loving childcare, and opportunities to rebuild her sense of worth. Middle Way is more than an emergency shelter: there is long-term housing for women and children, there is community development, there is entrepreneurial creativity. Middle Way's businesses build on clients' new skills, Middle Way's commitment to a sustainable future led to renovating and reusing an older building and making it green while also providing more space for women, children. It's a model of what can be done with creativity, ingenuity, and giving women safe environments.
Middle Way House is a shining example of helping women fleeing domestic violence restart their lives. Through a continuum of services from rape crisis to educational and employment assistance, Middle Way works with women to find their own strengths and build the self-confidence necessary to forge a healthy and productive life for themselves and their children. The whole focus is on empowerment and independence. Middle Way serves over 2,000 women and children a year in a five-county area in south-central Indiana. The proof of the success of their empowerment model is their recidivism rate: for women who stay with Middle Way's programs for three weeks or more, only 2-18% returned to their abusers in the last ten years. For those staying less than three weeks, the recidivism rate is 18-33%. Bloomington, Indiana is very fortunate, and very proud, that Middle Way is part of our community!