AKRON, Ohio — The words on the walls at Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center let you know right away that you're in a safe space.
Words, like "dignity" and "hope" help survivors know they're not alone.
"We want to make sure when a survivor enter the doors here, they're met with somebody that's gonna give them a trauma informed space, believe them, and create a space where they just feel like, you know, they don't have to worry about being harmed while they're here," said Teresa Stafford, CEO of Hope and Healing.
When survivors arrive at the center, all they have to do is rest.
"Often survivors of domestic violence, they don't rest because of the perpetrator and the abuse that they're experiencing," Stafford said. "By day three, we're gonna engage with a case manager that's gonna help them kind of identify the goals that the survivor wants to work with."
Some of the goals include career aspirations. But, there are other resources, like counseling, substance abuse help and court advocates to help guide them.
"It's not one approach, but multiple approaches that they can take on their healing journey," Stafford said. 'We have a beauty salon here. I like to feel beautiful and I feel better when I feel my best. And so, we wanna offer that same thing to survivors as well."
Tia Payne is the director of shelter and housing services at Hope and Healing. She's also a survivor of domestic violence.
"My father was the pastor of the church that we grew up in. So on Sunday we went to church and we clapped and we sang. But when we came home, it was a battlefield," Payne said.
Which is why she's made it her life's mission to make sure people know help is out there
"That's why I also share my story as much as possible. I do a lot of faith-based work as well, so people will understand that although there's all these different nuances in your story versus my story, if we're all collectively sitting down talking about it, we'll all say, 'Hey, we do have some similarities, and where can we all go for services?'" Payne said.
Another service Hope and Healing offers is its 24/7 hotline.
"330-374-1111. That's always the takeaway that I leave someone with," Payne said. "They're able to pick up the phone, call our hotline number, and they're able to receive the best services that they can receive."
Guests here can bring their children, or their pets, free of charge. There will be days harder than others, but encouragement is everywhere you look at Hope and Healing.
"When you see these words of affirmation on a daily basis and you start saying them to yourself, you can start believing them," Stafford said.
To learn more about Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center, or how to donate, click HERE.