Abuse Services
Outreach:
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 6:00pm
Outreach Phone: (727) 441-2029
HOTLINE (727) 442-4128
TTY (727) 446-2448
or FL State Hotline 1 (800) 500-1119
All services are free and confidential. If you think you need help, please call!
Abuse Services
Including Domestic Violence Services
If you have no place to go, but you know you should get out, call us - 24/7 at (727) 442-4128
The Haven at Hope Villages of America is a certified domestic violence center providing a variety of services, including an Outreach Center and an Emergency Safe House. Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors. The intent of these behaviors is for the abuser to establish power and control over the victim. The behaviors are more than an isolated incident. Domestic violence almost always involves various forms of control – physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, etc. Domestic violence is not isolated to people who are married. It occurs with dating adolescents, same sex couples and adults living together. The defining characteristic is that they share an intimate relationship. Much of the time the financial aspect of leaving makes it seem impossible, and the complexity of children involved can make it even more difficult.
We offer confidential and always free consultations and a safe space to go to if you need to talk about it, and find out what you should do.
Outreach : Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm Outreach Phone: (727) 441-2029
Free and Confidential Services Available
Emergency Safe House
Women and children fleeing domestic violence can call our 24-hour hotline (727-442-4128) for admittance to our Emergency Safe House. During their stay, the following services are provided:
- Safety planning – Safety plans include a lethality assessment, documentation of abuser’s patterns, and an escape plan.
- Advocacy – Staff provide information on the dynamics of domestic violence and provides assistance to survivors to help them achieve their goals.
- Case Management – Survivors are provided a 6 week plan to help them achieve independence. Staff provide referrals to survivors and their children for a variety of services provided by our partners.
- Youth Programs – Children are assessed by trained staff and provided a safe, nurturing environment to thrive.
Outreach Center
The Outreach Center provides a variety of domestic violence services, including those related to financial abuse, emotional and mental abuse, and physical abuse, along with services related to elder abuse, human trafficking, youth and teen programs, prevention services, and community education.
- Safety Planning – Plans are developed with individuals facing abuse and include an assessment, documentation of abuser’s patterns, and an escape plan.
- Support Groups – A variety of support groups are offered at confidential locations to assist survivors on their path of healing. Groups include emotional wellness groups, senior groups, and more.
- Legal Advocacy – Advocates provide legal advocacy at both the Clearwater Courthouse and the Judicial Complex on 49th St. Advocates assist survivors with filing injunctions for protection and support at return hearings.
- 911 Cell Phone Distribution – Used cell phones are distributed to victims to be used in case of emergency.
- Address Confidentiality – Survivors receive assistance in filing for address confidentiality to protect their residence.
- Relocation Assistance – Survivors are provided with assistance in filing for relocation assistance, which includes $1,000 or more in order to relocate to a safe place.
- Advocacy – Staff provide assistance to survivors facing challenges due to their abuse as it pertains to their employment, housing, childcare, and more.
- Human Trafficking Advocacy – Human Trafficking survivors are provided assistance in locating shelter, housing, referrals, and more.
- Teen Dating Violence – A Youth Advocate provides Teen Dating Violence education to middle and high school students. Presentations can be done in one session or a series of five sessions, for a more in-depth education. Topics include healthy relationships, red flags to watch for, anti-bullying, and more.
- Preschool Peacemaker Program – Youth Advocates provide a five-week curriculum to preschool students on peaceful behaviors, diversity and inclusion, coping, and more.
- Community Education – A trained staff member can provide an educational session on abuse, including what to look for and how to help. Trainings can be tailored to your organization.
How can you get involved?
Click the images below to find out!
Housing Stability Services
Business Hours
Monday through Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 8am-6pm
Please contact us at info@hopevillagesofamerica.org for more information.
Housing Stability and Homeless Prevention
Families are the fastest growing homeless population in the United States and in Pinellas County. At Hope Villages of America, we believe in equipping families with the tools needed to move through the housing continuum:
Hope Villages provides a variety of services that assist individuals and families with maintaining stable housing.
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Case Management
- Life Skills Classes
- Workforce Development
- Rent & Utility Assistance
- Referrals
- Emergency Housing Assistance
“Prior to moving into the housing complex I didn’t know where life was going exactly. My house caught on fire back in July. The kids and I were living in different places because our house wasn’t livable. When presented this opportunity to live in the complex the kids and I finally became relieved. I could breathe again. You could see the kids happy to have a home again. As well as myself. This has been a sense of relief and we’re forever grateful.” -Brittany, Goldsmith Gardens resident
“Before housing with Hope Villages of America I felt uncertainty. The uncertainty came from not having a place to call home as the 2020 pandemic took a lot out of us. Thankfully with the help of my mother, I came across Hope Villages of America. Before moving in, I felt fear because we didn’t know what the future would bring to us. Time went by and as we started our journey here, I felt more and more at peace and safer than I have ever felt as we finally have a place to call home.” –Rosa and Jaycoo, Goldsmith Gardens resident
“At first, my children and myself were nervous but excited to come to the Grace House. Now that we actually live here, we’re very thankful & happy to have a new home. My kids and I are happy and very grateful!” -Leanna, former Grace House guest, Resident of The Oaks
The Oaks & Goldsmith Gardens
Hope Villages affordable housing option is a ‘next step’ in the journey to self-sufficiency. While residing at these properties, participants will receive case management to help meet their personal, educational, and career goals. We offer 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Our units also include onsite laundry and a community room. Participants sign a one year lease, and pay approximately 30% of their income in rent. As part of the housing continuum, the goal is to move families from the street, to the shelter, to affordable housing, and on to market-rate housing and/or homeownership.
Partner with us!
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Food Distribution Services
700 Druid Road
Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 443-4031
Food Distribution Hours:
Monday – Friday from 12:30pm – 3:30pm
with extended hours on Thursday until 6:30pm
Food Donations Hours:
Monday - Friday from 8:00am – 4:00pm
with extended hours on Thursday until 6:00pm
No appointment needed for services.
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
with extended hours on Thursday until 6:30pm
Addressing Food Insecurity
Our Food Distribution Services provide nutritious groceries to tens of thousands of individuals and families living throughout Pinellas County.
The Food Distribution Center distributes food to people at our Clearwater warehouse and delivers food to local food pantries, homeless shelters, domestic violence safe houses, soup kitchens and housing programs for the disabled and elderly to ensure access to food in the neighborhoods that need it most.
Individuals and families may access services once per month, receiving 3-4 days worth of food for all household members per visit. With a focus on nutrition, we make every effort to provide healthy nutrient-dense foods, such as lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Benefits of the Food Bank
- Individuals and families pay $0 to receive groceries that should make enough meals to last 3-4 days.
- No referral is needed; simply walk-in during our distribution hours and get signed up to receive free groceries
- Hope Villages of America ensures that groceries are distributed in a dignified way
- During the intake process, other identified needs can be met through referrals to other local community organizations
Eligibility Requirements
- The individual/family must live north of Ulmerton Road; we can also provide a list of other food pantries that may be closer to your home
- Individuals must provide a photo ID and address verification (piece of mail), along with Social Security Cards and/or birth certificates for all household members
- Most of the food received has no income requirements (a small portion of food is based on income eligibility)
*Forms of identification are not needed to receive USDA TEFAP food
Cynthia and James are both retired and live on social security checks totaling $1,596/month, supplemented by $15/month in SNAP benefits. When they shop with their meager budget, Save-a-Lot and the Dollar Store are all they can afford, so they are very thankful for the additional food they receive and said, “We would not be able to survive without the help of the Food Bank!”
Join our Mission!
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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, at https://www. ascr.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint- Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Serving Two Locations:
Midtown and Tarpon Springs SPC Campuse
Providing for Pinellas Residents in Need
The Express Center will function as a hub to meet the needs of the community. Offering a wide range of “get it now” services, the Express Center will provide direct support related to hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, and basic needs.
Services include (but not limited to):
- Small Meal Ingredients
- Hygiene Products
- Immediate Turn-Around Referrals
- Job-Readiness Preparation & Placement
- Clothing and Furniture Vouchers
- Assistance with Benefit Applications
- Resume Building
Basic Needs
Hope Villages of America provides clothing, furniture, and other basic needs, including energy assistance, to our program guests through community partnerships. Participants receive vouchers from Hope Villages to be redeemed at Good Shepherd Thrift Store, 1714 N Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755.
Please donate your gently used items to Good Shepherd Thrift store. Please tell them Hope Villages referred you.