Start A Family Shelter/ DV Haven

What You'll Download

A clear, hands-on mini-manual guiding you through how to start and run a family shelter for domestic violence survivors. Inside, you'll find essential,-step‑by‑step instructions on:

• Setting up the right legal and organizational structure
• Securing a safe, confidential space
• Obtaining required certifications and permits
• Recruiting and training trauma-informed staff and volunteers
• Creating safety protocols, from intake to evacuation
• Offering core services: housing, counseling, legal help, job readiness, and transitional support
• Supporting holistic recovery: emotional healing, financial empowerment, housing stability

Perfectly tailored for community leaders, nonprofit founders, and first-time shelter operators—this guide equips you to build a secure, empowering space where families in crisis can begin to rebuild and heal.