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| Last updated on November 23, 2008 |
It is the mission of Caring Unlimited to work with the community to end domestic violence in York county.This includes providing support and safe haven to women, their children and men whose lives are affected by domestic abuse in a manner that honors their essential worth, nurtures their inherent strengths and respects their right of self-determination.
Description:
Caring Unlimited offers the following services to battered women and children in York County: HOTLINE: Our hotline is staffed 24/7 throughout the year. We rely on trained volunteers to cover the hotline, particularly the overnight and weekend day shifts. We offer support and information to anyone who is a victim of partner abuse. Hotline volunteers work from their homes. SHELTER: Our emergency shelter provides a safe haven to battered women and their children for up to 30 days. Support is provided in helping women find resources and housing. Volunteers help with childcare, primarily during weekdays. OUTREACH: We offer weekly support groups throughout York County for women affected by domestic violence. Weekly groups are offered in Sanford, Biddeford, Limerick, and Kittery. Volunteers can help facilitate groups, or can help provide meaningful childcare during groups. Legal Advocacy: We provide victims of domestic violence with support and advocacy in court proceedings, particularly in getting Protection from Abuse Orders. Transitional Services: We have a program that works with women after they leave our Shelter for a period of two years, helping them with education and job training. We offer Transitional Housing for women and their children. Volunteers provide childcare so that women can attend support meetings with staff. Community Response Program: We offer education and training on all aspects of domestic violence throughout the community. This includes a teen program, which focuses on issues of dating abuse and reaches out to student in middle school and high school.
History:
Caring Unlimited began in 1977 as a grassroots movement of women helping women, and has been built around a community-based, self-help concept. It has grown from a small group of committed women to a large diverse agency with 20 employees. Caring Unlimited is committed to ending domestic violence and empowering all women to create safety in their lives.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (207) 490-2186
Address:
Web Site: http://www.caring-unlimited.org
Directions:
User Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience 
My experience came from being a client of Caring Unlimited.
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I have been helped by Caring Unlimited twice, years apart. The first I was in a horrendous physically violent relationship, plus other abuses.I was terrified, beyond fear. I called the hotline and was given hope at that moment that I had called the right place. I was treated with respect and dignity.A woman came down and led me by the hand every step of the way. We visited a police station (we were not well received and my worker supported me through that.)She went with me to the courthouse and helped me obtain a protection from abuse order. With our her support I would not have had the strength to do that. I was petrified of retaliation. She helped me slowly start to break that mental control I had been under. She validated me that I did not deserve that treatment and I was taking appropriate steps for my children and I safety.We sat in a car actually watched him being served with the order from the sheriff down the street. He actually complied with the order ( most do((not all)) once outside help has been brought in on the secret world of abuse). I than moved on with my life. I started recovery from a substance abuse problem, that aided in my choice of mate ( this is not always the case abuse crosses all lines economic, social, creed, educational, and race). I had an eight grade education and with a lot of preparation I went to college. After my life seemed wonderful exactly as it was, I met a man. He did such wonderful things for me, I was awestruck. I had never been treated with such kindness and gifts. We were married and bought a house. I thought I has finally come home. I was elated.Very insidiously abuse once again entered my life. I wasn't being hit physically as before,but a lot of other thing rang true. So, it took along time for me to recognize it, let alone and admit it. The verbal and emotional abuse magnified and I had reached an emotional bottom. My soul and body were as damaged as if it had been physical. There were times i would have preferred being hit so to be over it! and I knew where to seek help. At this point I had nowhere to go,I had an intake over the phone and so I entered Caring Unlimited Safe House. The advocates there helped me break through the rest of my denial because this abuse was different in some ways. How had I let it happen again? I felt lack of strength to climb again. The advocates showed me each step. They didn't do it for me, but there was not question of my next steps. I participated in the abuse support groups ( some outside volunteers come just for that hour and sat for the children so that their mothers may participate.) and I was further was educated about the cycle of abuse.I learned things that I did not even consider abuse.It was a epiphany for me that started my freedom. I learned that it takes some women an average of seven times to finally break free from the abusive partner. If women go back no, judgment is given! They are free to leave at any time. Of course they try to discuss safety with them as much as possible. The advocates also help with keeping the safe house in a safe zone by enforcing rules for all inhabitants. With out this there can be cahous and disturbing feelings for the womena nd children living there.I was aidwd by a legal advocate who helped me with restraing order at the court house. I was aided in filling out substidized housing and recieved a slot! I am disabled at this point and I had a web of dependance tied to my partner. It took time but now every astrant has been relesed of dependance. I know have a home, medical care, friends, and zero abuse in my home, which is the example I1ve always wantes to show my kids who are young adults. Thank you Caring Unlimited, You helped me when I was terrified, to weak to go on, denial, intot o a self-supporting woman of homr and dignity. What a truly invaluble grassroots organization. I really son;t knwo wheer i1d be with out them. THank you Caring Unlimitesd!
posted by gigsup1996 on June 12, 2008 |
Overall Experience
Helped myself by using past hardships to help others with similar things.
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I have been in service over 11-years in an anonymous 12-step program. True happiness comes from service to others. I feel best when I feel equal with all. Not more than or less. I have had much peer on peer support, worked on women's retreat committee, district positions, central service office support. Healing truly happens when yhou can use those experiences to help others with the same ones. Also, they can identify with you more than someone who hasn't been through the same thing.Each hardship you have can be used to help others with the same thing. That's turning something painful into altruistic acts. True happiness is in the spiritual not the material.True happiness comes from service not self-seeking.Everyone is an example, what you want and what you don't want. When your thinking about someone else your not thinking about yourself and your problems and sometimes after, your problems don't seem so important.I believe you need not be afraid to serve. Any service you do; the strength will be given to you ,at that time, to do it.Providence works through people, the strength is given to you from there, you need not summon it on your own.
posted by gigsup1996 on June 12, 2008 |
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