Free and confidential services for persons affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. What to do about domestic violence
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The Cedar Valley Friends of the Family "Friends' House" provides shelter, hope, and healing for families affected by domestic violence and sexual assaultSafety planning, anger management and self-esteem issues with children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence or sexual assaultProject D.A.T.E. is broken down into four sections: domestic violence, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, sexual assault/date rape, and sexual harassmentThe Turning Point Rural Housing Project works in partnership with existing human service agencies to provide needed support servicesWelcome to Cedar Valley Friends of the Family, A crisis intervention & prevention agencyStop abuse and violence

If you or someone you know needs help, please do not hesitate to call us or e-mail us. Our crisis line is operated by trained advocates 24 hours a day.

Crisis Line:
319-352-0037
or
1-800-410-SAFE

Turning Point Rural Housing Project

Results

In March 1999, CVFF started a new service that had never been offered in rural northeast Iowa. The agency was awarded a three year grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide transitional housing for homeless households who primarily had been affected by domestic violence. Using the name Turning Point Rural Housing Project, CVFF embarked on helping some of the most desperate families in our midst. Turning Point counties include Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, and Winneshiek. This is a 5,407 square mile rural area that became a challenge to serve simply by reason of its large geographic size. However, there are homeless issues in rural northeast Iowa, so CVFF accepted the challenge. The project's first three years ended in February of 2002. A brief description of project data shows the impact of the Turning Point Rural Housing Project.

During the three years of the project:

  • 69 homeless households, made up of 72 adults and 96 children, were assisted by Turning Point.
  • 70% of the homelessness was a result of domestic violence making it essential for the household to start a new life.
  • 95% of the households entered with incomes at poverty level or below. For a mother and one child, poverty level is a monthly income of only $967.
  • 19 families with 47 children had zero income from any source upon entering the program.
  • 100% of the participants paid toward their own housing costs within 90 days of entering the project.
  • 88% were employed and increased their income while in the program.
  • 86% gave back to the community by doing volunteer work while in the program.
  • 97% became permanently housed (only 2 reverted to homelessness).
  • Participants became housed in 35 rural towns renting privately owned scattered site units from numerous landlords.

HUD has renewed the grant for the Turning Point Project. However, there have been federal operating changes that now require CVFF to find matching funds in the amount of $45,154 in order to receive the $254,249 annual HUD grant. CVFF Board of Directors and staff know that the project is a good investment considering the absolute turn-around in family situations it has helped accomplish. Everyone also agrees that it will be a big challenge to find the matching funds. The agency is looking for help with this need.

Domestic violence and sexual assault help
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