Located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Shelter House, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3). Shelter House was incorporated in 1988 when members of the League of Women Voters, the National Organization of Women, and Business and Professional Women formed a collation to help prevent the continuous abuse of women and children in the community. The purpose was to provide shelter and supportive services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Children who witness domestic violence are at a high risk for suicide, truancy, delinquency, substance abuse, health problems, nightmares, low self-esteem, aggression toward peers, and intergenerational abuse as either the victim or perpetrator of domestic violence. Shelter House provides children (and their moms) with services to keep them safe and to meet their emotional, social, physical and cognitive needs. Advocates are available 24 hours a day and provide counseling, safety planning, advocacy, service management and referrals.

The goal at Shelter House is to help break the cycle of violence and the purpose of the Youth program and Youth Recreation Building will be to provide a safe child friendly environment for the child and the non-offending parent to help achieve this goal. By getting the mother and child to a safe environment, they can begin to heal from the chronic stress of an abusive home. They can rebuild their relationship in a positive way through the guidance and assistance of the Shelter House programs.

» Visit the The Shelter House Web Site