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