Respond Inc.

Our Mission

RESPOND’s mission is to help women and their children create
options for a safer life, free from domestic violence, and to
further the efforts of the larger community to end domestic
violence. At this time we seek to fulfill our mission by
providing shelter, support, advocacy and education.

Value Statement

At RESPOND, we value the inherent human rights of all people
and know domestic violence to be a violation of these rights.
We respect personal dignity and the right to self-determination.

Service Area

RESPOND is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts and serves
cities and towns throughout Greater Boston and beyond, including
Somerville, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading,
Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn, Massachusetts.
RESPOND often provides services to women and their children who
reside outside the Boston area, and even statewide, nationally,
and internationally as needed. The agency also conducts outreach
and preventative educational programs across the region and the
United States.

Confidentiality

RESPOND protects the confidentiality of all current and past
program participants to ensure both safety and privacy. To protect
the safety of program participants, staff, and volunteers the
location of the shelter is strictly confidential and is never
given out to anyone other than program participants. RESPOND's
office is housed in a secure building; the location is not
publicized and kept semi-confidential. Please be advised RESPOND
cannot confirm or acknowledge individuals participating in our
programs regardless of relationship or profession.

Individual Advocacy and Support Groups

RESPOND staff offer emotional support and individualized advocacy
in areas such as housing, the law, welfare and entitlements,
childcare, education, and healthcare. Support groups provide a
safe, confidential space for women to talk, share information,
and learn about options for creating safety for themselves and their
children. Advocates currently offer services in English, Spanish,
French, and Haitian Creole.

24-Hour Hotline TTY 617-623-5900

RESPOND staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
to listen, provide emotional support, and offer information about
RESPOND, shelter availability, increasing safety, and advocacy.
They are fluent in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole and French.
The hotline is equipped with TTY for the hearing impaired.

Legal Advocacy

RESPOND advocates are present in the Somerville and Malden Courts
several days a week to assist victims of domestic violence through
the restraining order (209A) process, as well as to provide
information, translation, safety planning, emotional support,
and informed referrals.

Emergency Shelter

Through our emergency shelter program, RESPOND provides safe,
confidential housing for up to eleven women and children every
night of the year. Once our capital campaign is complete in
June 2007, our capacity will double. Last year, RESPOND provided
shelter for 38 women and 42 children. RESPOND welcomes women of
all ages, income levels, and backgrounds with their children
(from 0-18 years of age, including teenage boys).

Children’s Services

RESPOND is committed to helping women and their children live
violence-free lives. Staff and volunteers are trained in the
special needs of children who have been impacted by domestic
violence. Our direct service staff provide and arrange for
child care when women come for appointments or group meetings.
We spend quality time with children, running arts and crafts
projects, story time, and interactive play sessions. We recognize
that providing therapy to children who have been witnesses or
victims of violence is a specialized field. RESPOND supports
women who are healing themselves and their families by making
much needed referrals for women seeking counseling services for
their children, including through a partnership with the Guidance
Center, Inc.

911 Emergency Cell Phones

Thanks to the Verizon HOPE Line and donations from the community,
RESPOND is able to distribute emergency cell phones so women have
immediate access to 911 if they are in danger. Please call our
hotline at 617-623-5900 if you need an emergency cell phone.