Welcome to the Crisis Center! Often referred to as the doorway to The Safe Center and the “hot” place to be, the Crisis Center consists of a Coordinator and 5 very dedicated and high energy employees who take on all types of intense situations on a daily basis. The Crisis Center staff answers the 24 hour hotline, handles emergency walk-ins to the agency, reaches out to victims on police reports throughout Nassau County, sends out advocates to the emergency rooms as needed, and intakes all new domestic violence victims and connects them to services.
Nothing is Typical
I would love to tell you about an average day, but each day is different. Sometimes there are phones ringing off the hook, other days a victim comes to us requesting counseling, and upon assessment also needs more assistance filling out an OVS (Office of Victim Services) application, help with CPS (Child Protective Services), DSS (Department of Social Services), and police advocacy, as well as legal advice. Of course there are the constant housing assessments and screenings which usually require transportation, meals, child care, empathy, energy, kindness, and plenty of paperwork lasting approximately 3 to 5 hours.
Staff is Always Prepared
The staff take great care when servicing anyone who contacts the agency. Many phone calls consist of people needing information in order to assist domestic violence and rape sexual assault victims: police officers, medical staff, friends, family, CPS workers, court personnel, and students. The atmosphere of the Crisis Center is often chaotic, but the staff manages to keep the atmosphere light. In order to manage the often stressful work environment the staff is often sharing stories with each other about family, friends, travel, music, sports, movies and the two most important subjects, television and food. The current staff are real foodies and often keep a supply of chocolate near to deal with some of the heavier cases.
The work done by these crisis workers every day, as well as the agency as a whole, is something to be proud of. Calling the hotline is often the beginning to ending the cycle of violence and helping human beings discover that they deserve better treatment, that the abuse is not their fault, that there are resources out there, that there is strength in asking for help, and hope for a better, safer, and happier life in the future.
If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse call our 24/7 confidential Hotline at 516-542-0404.
Leigh, Crisis Center Coordinator