empower

empower:

make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights

By providing safety, shelter, counseling, and advocacy, Helpmate empowers each client to create a life that is free of violence.
By providing education, Helpmate empowers our community to create a world that is free of violence.

empower shopping:

more than power shopping–shopping to empower others; your purchases, through participating businesses, help to fund the work of Helpmate

For over 30 years, Helpmate has served as Buncombe County’s primary provider of crisis-level services designed specifically for – and offered exclusively to – victims of domestic violence and their children.

Helpmate believes in a violence-free community that is founded in respect and equality.

For more information on Helpmate, click on their logo above to go to their website.

Helpmate provides safe, confidential shelter to women and children who are leaving dangerous and potentially lethal living situations.

Helpmate services include:

Emergency Shelter for women and children
24-hour Hot Line
Individual and Group Counseling
Court Advocacy Programs,
Preventative Education for professionals, community leaders, and groups considered at risk of being abused

Helpmate’s services are free and confidential.

In the last six months of calendar 2009 Helpmate saw a 34% increase in counseling, a 97% increase in crisis calls, and a 46% increase in the number of women attending support group.

From January 2008 to January 2009, Helpmate’s average daily occupancy has increased 101%.

This past year fiscal year, Helpmate saw a a 45 % increase in the number of people sheltered, a 20% increase in the number of nights of emergency shelter provided and maximum stay jump to 201 days – a 43% increase. These numbers were no doubt exacerbated by the recession e.g. lack of jobs and lack of affordable housing.

Over the past fiscal year, Helpmate: