Services
Select a service from the below list to find out more.
Residential / Shelter
Services
Advocacy Services
Individual Counseling
Support Groups
Scholarship
Residential
Program
- (607) 754-4340 or Toll Free1-877-754-4340
- 24-hour Hotline
- Domestic Violence Shelter
- Thirty day maximum stay
- Confidential location and services
- Counseling and advocacy available - residentially and
non-residentially
- Children's groups and adult groups
- Shelter capacity for twenty clients
- Broome/Tioga counties primarily served
Advocacy Services
(607) 748-5174
Description of Advocacy Services
Welcome to the SOS Advocacy Office! We serve
any client who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.
Advocacy means “speaking on behalf of another.” We are here to
communicate with agencies, government offices, and other people on
your behalf, with your permission, after careful evaluation of your
needs. Although we are happy to provide advocacy services, there may
be some limits based on the situation. These limits are determined
by the Executive Director of SOS. We want to help you, but please
understand that the advocates are not attorneys. Only an attorney
can provide you with legal advice or representation.
Listed below are examples of the services we
provide. Sometimes just having someone
to help walk you
“through the system” can be the most helpful service we provide.
Judicial Advocacy
We provide information about procedures in
Family Court, local Criminal Courts, the
Binghamton Domestic Violence Court, and
the Integrated Domestic Violence Court.
We also provide you with a pamphlet explaining what your legal
rights are as a crime victim. We explain the procedures for filing
charges in a Criminal Court. SOS also assists with any necessary
document retrieval and can help with court preparation.
Petition Assistance
We explain the procedures for filing Family
Court petitions for Custody, Visitation, Orders of Protection, Child
Support, Modifications, Paternity, and Violations.
Lawyer Referrals
If you believe that you cannot afford an
attorney, we can provide you with an application for a
court-appointed attorney for Family Court and discuss what can be
reasonably expected from your attorney. We can also accompany you to
your appointment with your lawyer. If needed, SOS can provide you
with the necessary paperwork in order to initiate a divorce through
the Legal Aid Society.
Court Accompaniment
We are available to be present with you at
Family Court hearings and Criminal Court appearances, if you desire,
as followed by law and as permitted by the advocate’s schedule.
Transportation to court may be arranged in advance with your
Advocate.
Court Communication
We request information on case status, attorney
assignment, and issuance of orders on your behalf.
Prosecution Advocacy
We communicate with the District Attorney
assigned to prosecute the case against your abuser. We request that
your views be heard and that restitution be demanded when
appropriate. We help to
ensure that you are notified of all proceedings that go forward for
both misdemeanor and felony offenses. SOS advocates also work with
individuals who are attempting to obtain a Final Order of
Protection.
Police Advocacy
We accompany you and provide transportation (as
available) to the police department to advocate that criminal
charges against the abuser be filed. We stay in communication with
the police regarding the status of the investigation and the arrest
of the abuser. We assist in arranging a police escort to get your
personal belongings from your residence. Also, we assist you in
acquiring copies of police reports or other documents as needed. SOS
advocates can also assist you to connect with Victim Identification
Notification Everyday (VINE) in order to obtain information
regarding an offender’s custody status change. The SOS Police
Liaison Advocate assists victims of domestic violence with obtaining
a free Sheriff’s ID if you are in need of one.
Parole Advocacy
We communicate with the Division of Parole to
be sure that you are notified, as is your right, if you file with
the clerk of the sentencing court, when the abuser is released from
prison. We advocate for you if the abuser violates parole by conduct
which has a negative impact on you/or your children. SOS Advocates
assist you with writing victim impact statements when your abuser is
eligible for parole.
Compensation Claims
We provide claim assistance with New York State
Crime Victim’s Board for medical bills due to injuries, counseling
fees, shelter costs, transportation to court, replacement or repair
of essential personal property, etc. in which you have not been
reimbursed.
Social Services Advocacy
We provide you with a Department of Social
Services (DSS) Application and can assist you to complete it. We
accompany you to DSS and provide transportation (as available and as
arranged in advance with your Advocate).
If you have an open case with us, we advocate
with DSS for you, as applicable, regarding these issues: furniture,
security deposit, public assistance, food stamps, expedited food
stamps, moving expenses, and money to restore utilities. We discuss
your eligibility for ongoing public assistance and subsidized
programs per the DSS guidelines.
CPS Advocacy
Our agency provides domestic violence services
to victims who are mandated by Family Court or CPS to receive such
services. SOS has two advocates on site at DSS who work specifically
with individuals who have domestic violence and CPS issues. These
advocates assist individuals with navigating the Foster Care and
Child Protective Service System.
Other Advocacy Services
Information and Referrals
We provide information and referrals on issues
stemming from those related to domestic violence such as, but not
limited to: creditors, utilities, housing, etc. Specific information
is provided regarding subsidized housing, tenancy, how to find
apartments, household budgets, and other financial assistance
programs. We provide you with assistance with financial planning.
With your permission, we discuss your situation with your employer,
if needed and discuss with you your rights as an employee who is
experiencing the effects of domestic violence.
We also provide information about bus routes,
subsidized child care and day care referrals. We can assist you with
school enrollment for your child(ren) or you. We provide referrals
for clothing, food (such as CHOW), and furniture. We provide you
with assistance in obtaining replacement documents including birth
certificates and social security cards, as well as requests for name
changes.
If appropriate, and you meet specific
qualifications, we can refer you for the installation of a basic
security system for your residence. You would need to be responsible
for the monthly monitoring fee.
Counseling
Individual and group counseling is available to
focus on issues relating to Domestic Violence. We discuss with you
the Cycle of Violence and ways to empower yourself to break this
cycle. We offer two Women’s Support Groups. This group satisfies the
Family Court and CPS mandated requirements for domestic violence
victims. Referrals to community mental health providers and other
relevant programs for additional help, including those for children
and teens in need of domestic violence counseling are provided upon
request.
Safety Planning
We assist you and your children with developing
safety plans. These plans are designed to assist you to prepare for
and prevent any potential safety issues you may encounter due to
domestic violence.
Call To Protect Program
We provide domestic violence victims with a
free cellular phone, which are 911 accessible.
SOS Shelter, Inc. Scholarship
A scholarship is available for victims of
domestic violence who have received SOS services. An application and
enrollment in an educational program is required.
First Impressions Program
We provide you with business attire to wear for
interviews. We provide you with referrals to community clothing
resources. We provide you with assistance in searching for
employment, including obtaining and completing employment
applications, writing resumes, preparing for interviews, and
following up with potential employment opportunities. We have a
designated computer at our Advocacy Office in which you can search
for employment opportunities or write resumes. An Employment Group
is offered at our Advocacy Office to assist you in preparing for
seeking and obtaining employment. We provide transportation (as
available) to assist with attending workshops and seeking employment
and training at the NYS Department of Labor Workforce Program.
Children’s Creative Arts Group
We offer a children’s group weekly which you
may attend with your child. This group provides a creative and fun
outlet for your child and you. Some of the activities during this
group include: music, arts and crafts, face painting, and various
other projects.
Pet Placement
We provide you with assistance in placing your
pets if you are in need of emergency housing at our Shelter or if
you need to relocate due to domestic violence. We also assist with
protective placement for pets in danger due to domestic violence and
discuss with you legal options for pet protection.
These are
just some of the services the SOS Shelter, Inc. offers you. Please
see your Advocate if you are interested in any of the programs or
services listed in this brochure, or if you are in need of other
assistance not mentioned here. The SOS Shelter, Inc. will make every
effort to help you while dealing with the effects of domestic
violence, and to help empower you to break the cycle of violence.
Did you know…
- If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may request that
the officer assist in providing for your safety and that of your
children, including providing information on how to obtain a
temporary order of protection.
- Expanded access to Family Court now provides that orders of
protection may be entered against any member of the same family or
household; expands the definition of “members of the same family or
household” for purposes of issuance of orders of protection and
temporary orders of protection and the concurrent jurisdiction of
family courts and criminal courts, to former spouse whether or not
living together and unrelated persons who continually or at regular
intervals reside in the same household or have done so in the past,
and persons dating or intimate relationship whether or not they have
ever lived together.
Individual Counseling
Short term counseling (up to four sessions) dealing specifically
with domestic violence is available for clients who may or may not
need shelter. The counseling sessions are centered on
identifying domestic violence, providing referrals, safety planning,
and remaining free from domestic violence once out of the situation.
If interested in individual counseling, please call (607) 754-4340.
An appointment can be scheduled after an intake is completed with
the Supervisor of Shelter Services.
Support Groups
Pattern Changing For Women
An Education based support group for victims of Domestic
Violence.
Topics will include:
- Understanding the dynamics of domestic violence
- Understanding how domestic violence affects children
- Learn to establish boundaries in your life
- Self esteem building
- Explore your strengths and weaknesses
- Develop realistic goals for the future
- Exploring how your childhood has affected choices you make
as an adult
- Insight into recognizing abusive, controlling traits in
future partners
On going groups will be 1½ hours in length on Wednesday's. There is also an 8
week Pattern Changing group held Monday's. There is no fee for this group. Individual counseling is also
available.
For further information contact the following phone numbers:
(607) 778-3826 or (607) 778-1139
Scholarship
In
1999 a bequest from the estate of Adele Bernstein allowed the
shelter to create a scholarship in her memory.
The first scholarship was awarded in 2000 to a former shelter
resident so she could pursue a degree in Art Therapy and Social
Work. We’re pleased to
announce the continuing eligibility of scholarship funds.
Applicants must be:
-
A previous client
of the SOS Shelter and living in a situation free from domestic
violence,
-
In possession of a
high school diploma or GED,
-
Currently enrolled
in an accredited educational institution,
-
In completion of
one or more semester in a post-secondary institution with a GPA
or 2.5 or above, and
-
Able to demonstrate
financial need.
Individuals wishing to be considered must complete an application,
including a 500-word essay focused on educational and personal goals
and be interviewed by a member of the Scholarship Committee.
Applications are available through the SOS Shelter
Administrative Office, 748-7453, on our website, www.sosshelter.org,
as well as at the financial aid offices of local colleges and
universities. Award of
any scholarship is at the discretion of the SOS Shelter which
reserves its right to limit or make no awards.
Completed applications may be sent to SOS Shelter Scholarship
Review Committee, P.O.
Box 393, Endicott, NY 13761.
Click Here for a Scholarship Application