Our Mission
Hands of Hope Resource Center is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all individuals affected by crime and abuse, including their loved ones. Through victim-centered services, we empower each person to make informed decisions and determine their own path to healing and recovery. We provide compassionate support, information, and referrals to help individuals navigate the law enforcement, medical, court, and social service systems while honoring their unique needs, values, and beliefs.
OUR CORE VALUES
ADVOCACY
We listen and provide a voice for victims so their rights are recognized.
RESPECT
We provide a welcoming and safe environment for women, men and children of all racial, social and economic groups.
EMPOWERMENT
We support clients to make the best decisions they can for their own lives.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE
We challenge our community to take a stand against violence and crime.
FROM OUR DIRECTOR
As you look toward your future, you are optimistically consumed with hope and new possibilities, right? And you should be! Some folks, however, who are trapped in an abusive relationship are perhaps not so filled with that positivity. Why? Because to a victim of abuse, hope is not always a present feeling. It is common for someone on the outside looking in at a victim of abuse to ask “why doesn’t she just leave?”
It is a difficult position for someone that has never been abused to understand. The list of reasons for staying is quite long, and I will only list a few here. Fear is obvious, shame that they have allowed these behaviors and that no one will understand or they will criticize, no options or nowhere to go, and love.
Yes, I said love. Victims most often have deep emotional and loving connections with their abusive partners. My concern about this question of why victims stay is that we should all be asking, “why does he do that” and put the accountability for these behaviors on the abuser. If you would like to know more about domestic violence or other types of abuse, I would encourage you to explore our website for this as well as other helpful information.
As you move forward and look toward your future, my wish for all of you is for safety and peace in your relationships.
Stephenie Och
Executive Director