The Freedom House is receiving $15,000 from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. The grant will help fund the Youth Therapy and Counseling program, providing substance use and mental health services for victims and witnesses of sexual and domestic violence.
Trisha Schafer, manager of outreach and facilities, says this grant is beneficial to those who cannot afford therapy. "So Freedom House is going to continue to provide child and teen clients with counseling therapy and substance use support without charge, so it's regardless of insurance status or income."
Freedom House is a non-profit shelter for domestic and sexual violence victims that has been operating since 1983. It offers free emergency shelter, counseling, medical and legal advocacy, and prevention education, and it receives funding from the government and donations. Freedom House serves five counties.
Freedom House offers telephone, in-person, at-school, and individual and group therapy.
Freedom House has also begun to employ virtual therapists. The therapy takes place on a platform called Doxy.me, a HIPPA and Illinois domestic violence law compliant. The video platform ensures that patients are secure, confidential, and anonymous.
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois has supported Freedom House for three years. Their mission is to help non-profits.
For help or more information, call the 24/7 hotline at 815-872-0072.
This story was produced by WVIK, Quad Cities NPR. We rely on financial support from our listeners and readers to provide coverage of the issues that matter to the Quad Cities region and beyond. As someone who values the content created by WVIK's news department, please consider making a financial contribution to support our work.