Housing, case workers and more offered to those escaping violent situations
LOVELAND, CO – Dec. 17, 2021: Kari Clark, executive director of Alternatives to Violence, stands next to a pile of donated items at the Alternatives to Violence safe house Dec. 17, 2021. Clark said that during the holiday season ATV receives large amounts of donations for clients to help them make the holidays feel more normal. (Austin Fleskes / Loveland Reporter-Herald)
Loveland Reporter Herald, by Austin Fleskes, December 26, 2021
Alternatives to Violence has spent almost 40 years ensuring a place safe from domestic violence, resources to move forward and a path to better situations.
Kari Clark, executive director, said the ATV safehouse, which has eight bedrooms and 22 beds, is almost always full, providing sanctuary for those trying to escape abusive and dangerous situations.
But the nonprofit offers far more than just housing, giving victims connections to help start the healing process, prepare for a job and move toward a safer future
She said while there are always different personalities or situations of those using ATV’s services, there is always a common thread.
“They are all victims of abuse, so they (tend) to make bonds,” she said. “It’s often like having a 24/7 support group.”
During the holiday season, Clark said, the community comes out in waves to help those in need; donated diapers, clothing and gifts are stacked in the safehouse’s break room, all waiting to be donated to ATV clients.
She said this, as well as making sure to decorate the safehouse during the holidays, helps things feel a little more normal.
“This community is amazing at helping each other,” she said.
What has been the greatest challenge over the last nearly two years brought on by the pandemic when it comes to serving ATV clients?
Unfortunately the stress of stay-at-home orders, remote learning for children, loss of jobs, economic uncertainty and the general fear of catching the virus during the pandemic has increased domestic violence and other violent crime incidents. This has led to an increase in crisis calls and the need for shelter for victims. With the increase in need, Alternatives to Violence staff has worked hard to figure out new approaches to keeping families safely distanced to prevent the spread of disease, and cleaning our shelter has had to be done differently. Alternatives to Violence advocates, case managers and therapists, who typically help victims face-to-face, have had to learn to provide virtual support, which can lessen a personal connection victims need. We have also seen an increase in the severity of the violence against victims, as well as more severe mental health issues. We are lucky to work with partners in the community like Summitstone and the Loveland Police Department to work with victims to get the help they need.
What is one thing your organization is looking forward to offering in 2022?
We are so excited to have acquired a new facility which will house our administrative offices, meeting space and a dedicated room for support groups for adults and children. This also means we will be able to expand our Safehouse by three to four more rooms and 10 to 12 more beds. We also plan to expand our youth services to offer more support groups of young people who have been exposed to domestic violence in their homes and to educate youth in the Thompson School District further on teen dating violence and sex trafficking prevention.
How does ATV help better the entire Loveland community?
Our vision statement says it best: Alternatives to Violence envisions a safe community free from domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Although we strive to be put out of business because we would no longer be needed, we know that is a far reaching goal. However, in the meantime we will work our hardest to make Loveland the safest community we can by educating the community on interpersonal violence and prevention, while offering safety, advocacy and resources to those who are survivors.