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How did Help Now begin?
In 1981, a group of volunteers trained and supervised by We Care, Inc., an established
Orlando-based crisis line, began an Osceola County hotline, to be known as Help Now of Osceola. Osceola Mental Health,
Inc. (now called Park Place Behavioral Health Care), the community mental health center, provided supervision, funding and
office space to the program. Additional funds were obtained through community and business contributions and fundraisers. Help
Now of Osceola was incorporated in January, 1983.
In response to an unmet need that had been extensively documented by hotline
calls, Help Now began working toward the development of an Osceola County domestic violence shelter. Money was raised
through individual and corporate donations. Guidance for the fledging organization was provided by Spouse Abuse, Inc.
an established, HRS certified program serving both Orange and Seminole counties. On August 15, 1983, Help Now opened
the doors of an 8-bed domestic violence shelter. The shelter was called WIN House (Women In Need). In addition to
the funds supplied by Osceola Mental Health, Inc. funding for the Osceola shelter was subcontracted under Spouse Abuse, Inc.
to receive formal supervision, technical assistance, and HRS funding. In January 1989, Help Now received HRS certification,
which enabled the organization to contract directly with HRS.
The need for larger accommodations became apparent, and in 1982, Help Now purchased
a 2,500 square foot home in Kissimmee, which enabled 17 victims and their children to be served at one time. By 1997,
Help Now had outgrown this residence and began construction of a 24 bed facility with the assistance of matching capital funds
from the United Way. The new shelter was completed December, 1997. A little over 2 years later, increasing need
necessitated another expansion, and by March 1999, an additional 28 beds and 7 rooms were added, along with additional
office and ounseling space. At present, the shelter is approximately 10,000 square feet.
In 1999, Help Now sought to answer an identified need in the community by
opening an Outreach location, thereby allowing anyone who is in a potentially dangerous relationship to receive free counseling
and support services without the necessity of shelter services. March 1st, 2001, Help Now hosted an open house to
show off its’ newly completed expansion project, giving the shelter a total of 52 emergency beds.
Help Now has grown from a crisis line to a full-scale domestic violence prevention
program. Apart from safe shelter, Help Now also provides counseling for victims of domestic violence and their children,
as well as case management, legal advocacy and community education programs.
Help Now has moved from a few volunteers to an extensively trained and highly qualified
staff, which consists of both individuals from the “grass roots” movements of the past to the skilled professionals
of today. We are fortunate to retain some very valuable volunteers who have donated many hours of their time
to promote violence-free living. Help Now is a certified, insured domestic violence shelter and crisis hotline, which
provides essential services to victims in need.
Our Vision
Our vision is to eradicate violence and abuse in our community.
Guiding Principles
We promote empowerment and believe in each individual’s personal power to effect
change.
We believe in violence prevention and violence-free living.
We provided outcome base, effective services.
We
promote community based collaborative services.
We are advocates for victims of abuse.
We value healthy families.
We
maintain confidentiality.
We strive for public awareness through education.
We embrace and celebrate diversity.
We
respect our clients and their choices.
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