Help for the abused

[Dia]

I do not think there are enough Christian resources, and certainly not enough Adventist resources, for those who are abused and suffering. I would like to ask if anyone has any suggestions on how to set up an Adventist shelter for abused women and children.

 

[Sophia7]

I would have no idea how to go about that. Many towns already have shelters for vicitms of domestic abuse (although they may not have a Christian focus), but I don't know how you would start one. There is a forum here at CF for survivors of abuse, though:
http://www.christianforums.com/f494-survivors-of-abuse.html

 

[Dia]

I guess the better question to ask is, is there anyone out there who is interested in helping start an Adventist shelter for the abused? I live in New York so this is addressed to fellow New Yorkers, and of course the "ideas, suggestions, or advice" part of the question is for anybody anywhere in the world who may have some- please post- any input and of course, prayers, would be helpful.

 

[Telaquapacky]

Dia,
The churches most likely to have interest in that kind of ministry don't actually have a shelter per se. An abused person, typically a woman, can find an Adventist church where, if they inform the pastor, he can find a woman member or a family who can offer shelter and temporary support in their own home (a man claiming to seek refuge from abuse might not be believed or trusted as readily).

It will sound politically incorrect to say this (probably the second politically incorrect, nevertheless sad but true statement I'll make in this post), but you are much more likely to find that kind of help in an ethnic congregation, rather than in a "white church." But the race or cultural background of the one seeking refuge doesn't matter.

 

[Dia]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies- I really do appreciate it but I am not getting the answers I want, maybe because I am not making my point clearly enough.

I am not writing on behalf of an abused person, nor am I looking for shelter for myself. I am a psychology major, working on my masters, in the near future will be ready to start working as a counselor and while I am looking forward to it and admit that the secular world does have a lot of resources and can and does do a lot of good, I do not think it can address the deeper issues of life for anybody, let alone for those who have been abused, the way a Christian God-centered organization could. There isn't even any comparison between the two. So it bothers me that there are not more Adventist resources for such people in need (like Telaquapacky above said the churches most likely to be interested in that kind of ministry don't actually have a shelter)- it's a shame.

I want to set up a place like that so that people with problems can be truly helped. This is the way to reach people with the gospel too- by helping them in their pain and suffering. I am specifically interested in a women's shelter because my main focus as a counselor will be working with victims of abuse and with violent offenders, but an Adventist counseling center for people with all types of problems is also something I believe is greatly needed. I do not know how to get in touch with other people who are in this field and would be intereseted in such a project so I am using this forum as a way to hopefully reach some.

 

[DarylFawcett]

Hello Dia,

I know of a person who is a member of a forum known as Maritime SDA OnLine who may be able to help you, as she is deeply involved in this from her own sad past experience in this area of abuse.

You can find the forum by placing the forum name into your search engine.

I hope this helps.

 

[Dia]

Hi Daryl,

Thanks for the information- I actually just went to that site and registered. I noticed that you are an administrator there, right? Can you give me some idea of where to post or who to look for because there are so many sections and topics that I wouldn't know where to start.