SAFETY ALERT: For more details on internet safety click here. There is always a computer trail, but you can leave this site quickly if you click here.

A History of Rockland Family Shelter

 


 

Rockland Family Shelter is a private non-profit grassroots organization, dedicated to serving domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their families. Through direct services, education, advocacy, agency consultation and leadership in coordinated community action, we work to create a community where women and children can live with dignity and equality, free from abuse.

In 1977, community members in Rockland joined to form the Rockland Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Two years later in 1979, through the coalition's work, Rockland Family Shelter was established, opening a crisis hotline and emergency shelter. The Shelter offers a haven to women and children fleeing a batterer and the hotline provides 24-hour access to information and support.

Over the years, we have expanded our programs to meet the growing needs of our community.

1980 The Children's Program was instituted, offering counseling and support services for mothers and their children residing in the emergency shelter.
The Center for Advocacy and Support Services (CASS), our main walk in center for abuse victims who are not shelter residents, was established.
RFS began professional trainings for police, social service staff, mental health staff and the district attorney's office.
1981 The Haven opened to provide transitional housing for former Shelter residents and children.
1984 The Rape Crisis Center was established, providing a 24-hour emergency hotline and rape crisis counselors and individual and group counseling for victims and family members.
1986 RFS, Volunteer Counseling Service Community Change Program, Honorable Harriet Cornell, Sheriff Tom Goldrick and D.A. Ken Gribetz form the STOP F.E.A.R. (Family abuse, Endangering women and children, Abuse of all kinds, Rape and assault) Coalition. The coalition was created to develop a coordinated community response to domestic violence. Police Sub-Committee of STOP F.E.A.R. Coalition developed pro-arrest domestic violence police polices.
The Children's Program was expanded to serve non-residential clients.
RFS sponsored the first county "Take Back The Night", an annual community action event speaking out on sexual assault.
1987 The Company of Women, a for profit mail order business, was launched. This unique catalog business was intended to generate income to support the programs of Rockland Family Shelter.
1988 The Spanish Bilingual Project was established, offering bilingual, bicultural services to Latino families, including a bilingual support group for Spanish speaking battered women.
1989 Rockland Family Shelter published No More Secrets, written by RFS community educator Helen Kaufman to be distributed at presentations on date rape and dating abuse.
1991 Rockland Family Shelter created the domestic violence educational series for local professionals and community members and held the first of its ongoing biannual trainings.
1993 The Shelter sponsored the first domestic violence training for Rockland County physicians.
1994 In cooperation with members of the Orthodox Jewish community, Project Tikva was established to address the unique needs of Orthodox and Hasidic battered women and children. A kosher cooking area was added to the Shelter.
The Mary Weingard Domestic Violence Law Project was established, offering legal services to RFS clients. The program was named in memory of Mary Weingard, former Director of the Center for Advocacy and Support Services (CASS).
RFS developed and released the video "Courage to Survive," directed and produced by Rebecca Karst, filmed by Lewis Roth. The film featured the personal stories of domestic violence survivors and RFS history.
1995 The Domestic Violence Health Care Protocol, created by the Health Subcommittee of STOP F.E.A.R, was implemented by the Rockland County Department of Health, local hospitals and other medical facilities in the county.
The Mary Weingard Domestic Violence Law Project began annual trainings for pro-bono lawyers who volunteer to take divorce cases on behalf of RFS clients.
The Company of Women is forced to close after seven years due to increased operating costs and a lack of initial capital. The Haven closed its doors due to lack of funding support.
RFS formed a staff committee to increase awareness on diversity issues and more effectively address the diverse needs of the communities served by RFS.
1996 RFS, in conjunction with the Spring Valley Police Department and VCS Batterer's Intervention Project, received a grant to create " Communities Combat Domestic Violence Project", with programs in three Spring Valley locations. RFS established the Haitian Community Service Project.
RFS participated in the first training on domestic violence for in-service police, focusing on the dynamics of domestic violence.
1997 RFS established Lesbian/Bisexual Battered Women's Services.
RFS sponsored a film series as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
1998 Collaboration between RFS and the Asian Women's Alliance for Kinship and Equality (AWAKE) began. RFS established Asian Community Project.
RFS obtained the use of a more private and permanent space in Spring Valley through the generosity of the Spring Valley Methodist Church.
RFS, STOP F.E.A.R. Coalition, VCS Community Change Project and Rockland Alliance for Prevention hosted a groundbreaking conference: "How Safe is Our Community". The New York State Model Domestic Violence Policy for Counties was presented.
"The Yellow Dress", a highly acclaimed educational theatre program on teen dating violence, was presented.
1999 The Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program was established. Educational programs are presented to students, teachers, school staff and parent-teacher organizations on dating violence and appropriate response and prevention.
RFS established an African American Community Project.
The STOP F.E.A.R Judicial subcommittee developed and distributed a Domestic Violence Judicial Bench Manual for magistrates. Sexual Trauma Program began providing long-term therapy to survivors.
2000 RFS opened a satellite office in the Martin Luther King Jr. Multi-Purpose Center in Spring Valley and at the Central Presbyterian Church in Haverstraw.
2001 RFS initiated joint project "Safe Moms Safe Children" with Rockland County Child Protective Services.
2003 RFS, in collaboration with Rockland Community College, presented Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monlogues".
SAFE Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program began at Nyack Hospital.
The STOP F.E.A.R. Judicial sub-committee developed the position paper: Couples Counseling And Anger Management in Domestic Violence Cases, recommending that courts should not require anger management programs whenever domestic violence is present.