Our Services
HOPE offers supportive services, opportunities for healing, and community education to assist victims, and end violence and abuse.
Emergency 30-Day Shelter
Our confidential and secure shelter provides a 30-day safe place to female victims (and their children) of DV experiencing homelessness or to those experiencing homelessness.
Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist the guests in support, education & options as well as provide information & referral to community resources.
Weekly education-based life skills & goal planning groups are available to assist the guests in their empowerment.
Afraid to leave your pets at home?
View our flyer on Safety for your Pets.
24-hour Crisis Hotline
Our hotline provides support, education & options regarding DV as well as acts as an information & referral 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Legal Advocacy
Our Legal Advocates provide assistance in both the civil and criminal court systems. Advocating on behalf of domestic violence victims and their children, legal advocates ensure that a victim’s safety and rights are protected within the court systems.
The HOPE Center’s legal advocates are not attorneys; they do not provide any legal advice. They provide options and information to victims of domestic violence related to the legal system.
Civil Court
Advocates assist victims in the following areas:
- Completion of appropriate documents needed to file a Protection from Abuse order. (PFA)
- Assistance with Safety Planning
- Education of victim’s rights
- Explanation of the PFA process
- Reference to supportive services such as: legal representation, domestic violence counseling centers, children and youth services, and custody, divorce, and support agencies.
Criminal Court
Advocates assist victims in the following areas:
- Supporting the victims at the Magisterial District Judge’s office
- Explanation of options regarding the charges that are filed against the defendant
- Providing options counseling to the victim
- Reviewing the potential outcomes of the case
Defendants may be ordered to:
- Anger Management classes
- Drug & Alcohol evaluation and possible treatment
- Mental Health evaluation and possible treatment
- Testifying in court regarding the charges
For more information about legal advocacy services and court accompaniment, please contact the HOPE Center at 724-224-1100 or 1-888-299-4673 or through the form on our Contact Page. A legal advocate can answer any questions you may have.
Emergency Protection from Abuse Orders (EPFAs) & Medical Advocacy
Medical Advocacy is also a part of HOPE’s on-call system. This occurs when a victim is admitted into the hospital because of DV & requests to speak to an Advocate in-person (It is essentially an in-person hotline call).
On-call Advocates may be called to a Medical Advocacy meeting at either the
Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights) or St. Margaret’s Hospital (Fox Chapel).
Advocates are available on an on-call basis to perform EPFA’s at the local Allegheny Valley Hospital for Allegheny County residents.
An Emergency Protection from Abuse Order (EPFA) is a court order signed by a judge that tells the abuser they can’t have any contact with the victim. These orders are issued for incidents of violence/threats that happen when the courts are closed. If the judge grants the EPFA, it is only good for a limited amount of time (until the end of the next court business day). Screening is done on the hotline & the on-call Advocate is then notified & dispatched if the victim meets the criteria to apply for an EPFA.
A Temporary Protection from Abuse Order (TPFA) is obtained at the courthouse in the county that a victim resides in. These orders can last up to 7-10 business days. If the order is granted by the judge, a final hearing will be set. A Final order can be issued for up to 3 years.
Where to Apply for a P.F.A.
(Protection From Abuse)
Allegheny County
Emergency PFA’s can be filed at the Municipal Courts Building, 660 First Avenue, in Pittsburgh between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Emergency PFA’s are only valid until the next business day, which is 5:00 p.m.. Applications for a Temporary PFA are accepted every Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., with the temporary hearing beginning at 11:30 a.m. Intake is also done from 1:00 pm to 2:30 p.m. but we strongly suggest going down for morning intake. If a Temporary PFA is granted, a hearing for the Permanent PFA (up to 3 years of protection) will be scheduled at that time. Temporary PFA’s can be filed at the Family Court Building, 440 Ross Street (the location of the old county jail), Room 3030, in Pittsburgh. This is an all-day process, please plan on staying at the courthouse for most of the day. Free child care is available, however, space is limited.
Westmoreland County
Emergency PFA’s can be obtained at the person’s local police department between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. An Emergency PFA is only valid until the next business day. Applications for a Temporary PFA (valid until the next hearing for the Final PFA which is 7-10 days) are accepted every Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The court breaks for lunch between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Temporary hearings are heard on that day. If a Temporary PFA is granted, a hearing for the Permanent PFA (protection up to 3 years) will be scheduled at that time. PFA’s can be filed at the Greensburg Court House, 2 North Main Street, Room 401– 4th Floor- in Greensburg.
Prevention Services
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMMING TO YOUTH
The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center, Inc. offers a variety of FREE youth violence prevention programs to local school districts, preschools, childcares, learning centers, civic groups or other interested community youth groups.
Cool Kids Program
Pre-K to Grade 5: The HOPE Center’s Cool Kids Program is delivered in the classroom setting and consists of 4 lessons per grade level. The lessons build on one another and students through their elementary years. With the help of the colorful character, – O’Malley the Cool Cat (and his other cool cat friends- Jumbles, Cobbler and Shadow), students are engaged in the learning process through activities, role plays, books and educational videos.
The Cool Kids lessons focus on being “Cool Kids” by making “Cool Choices”. And Cool Cats friends, Charlie Check First and KC Koala, are good reminders to the students to continue making cool choices. Some of the topics covered are: Charlie Check First, Anger, Digital Safety, Domestic Violence, Diversity, Self-Esteem, Conflict, Being Kind and Caring and more.
Middle School Program
Grades 6-8: The HOPE Center’s Middle School Program consists oflessons which can be delivered in a classroom or large group setting. Schools may select up to 4 topics they wish to have presented. Some of the topics covered include: Digital Safety, Building Relationships, Acceptance, Courtesy and Respect, Self-Esteem, Anger, Sexting, Sexual Harassment and more.
High School Program
Grades 9-12: The HOPE Center’s High School Program consists oflessons which can be delivered in a classroom or large group setting. Schools may select from 5 topics they wish to have presented. Some of the topics covered are: Healthy VS Unhealthy Relationships, Sexting and Sexual Harassment, Digital Safety and more.
Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM)
HOPE is currently partnering with the Allegheny Valley YMCA to deliver CBIM
What is CBIM?
Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) is a research based program that trains athletic coaches to use their powerful positive influences to help prevent and stop gender violence. Coaches serve as mentors to the youth they coach, which gives them the ability to influence how the young athletes think and behave both on and off the field.
The CBIM program equips mentors to talk with their athletes in brief, conversation-driven methods. The topics focus on having respectful and non-violent relationships and include: respect for women and girls, violence not equaling strength, personal responsibility, respect, insulting language, understanding consent and many more. In addition, CBIM helps build the skills and language the youth need to stand up and speak out when they witness abusive behavior among their peers.
Please note that this program can be adapted to groups, whether you are a parent, school administrator or community leader,WE ALL have a role in coaching boys into men.
Check out the following link for more information on what the CBIM curriculum consists of http://www.coachescorner.org/ and feel free to contact us to see how this fits into any of your sports programs or groups.
Check out our Community Outreach page to see what educational trainings the HOPE Center offers for other community members.
For more information about the HOPE Center’s Prevention Service Programs or to schedule a presentation, please contact Traci Arnold at 724-224-1100 or via our contact page. We will be happy to assist you with your needs.
Crisis Intervention Advocacy
Our Crisis Intervention Advocates provide support, education & options to DV victims (please note-our services are not therapy or addiction-based).
Outreach offices are located throughout our service area in confidential locations (New Kensington, Tarentum & Verona) where an Advocate can schedule to meet in-person with a victim. Also available are DV-related education-based life skills groups.
Interested participants should call the hotline & will then be added to HOPE’s “Crisis Intervention List”.
An Advocate will follow-up within 2 business days to schedule an appointment.
Community Outreach
The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center, Inc. offers educational domestic violence presentations throughout the community to: businesses/ corporations, business/ trade schools, churches, civic groups, colleges, law enforcement personnel, medical personnel, school district faculty and anyone else who has an interest.
The presentations are FREE of charge and tailored to meet the needs and expectations of the audience. Some of the topics we cover include:
Domestic Violence Education– how to identify it, what it looks like, warning signs, what you can do, how to help, resources available, and more
Domestic Violence and Legal Advocacy- for law enforcement or anyone in the legal field
Domestic Violence and Medical Advocacy- for medical professionals or medical training schools
Domestic Violence in the Workplace- for any business, company or organization
The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children- for anyone who works with or around youth
Train the Mentor: Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM)- for any athletic/ sports team or community group who mentor youth
Trauma-Informed Care- for anyone who dedicates their lives helping others
If you are interested in signing up for a presentation you can call Traci @ 724-224-1100 or fill out the form below and someone will get back to you.
