A.    Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence has become a priority problem in every community especially in rural communities that are near large metropolitan cities.  Azle is one of the small communities near Fort Worth that must deal with “big city” issues.  Public awareness has revealed that domestic violence is not just “black eyes” and “broken bones” but a myriad of symptoms both in the adults and sadly, in the children.  This violence is not limited to just women and children but also men.  Victims of Domestic Violence are very cautious about who they share their situation with fearing no one will believe them.  There is no social barrier to domestic violence.  Upon entering a shelter one will find a broken hearted wealthy woman next to a homeless victim of domestic violence.  Abusers threaten the victims with killing pets, children, and other family members and even themselves.  The statistics for Azle, Texas are as follows: 

·         2004    78   Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2005    73   Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2006    83   Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2007    104 Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2008    196 Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2009    91   Domestic Violence Assaults

·         2010    95   Domestic Violence Assaults

Victims typically bounce back to their abusers fourteen times before the victim realizes the perpetrator will never change without intervention.  Often, the victim will stay in the abusive situation because her children are in school or family is close.  However, in dangerous situations all shelters refer clients to each other to help the victim escape the threats by the abuser, by moving to other communities.

The statistics (taken from http://domesticviolencestatistics.org ) for Domestic Violence are:

·         Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.

·         One in every 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.  Most often, the abuser is a family member.

·         Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women—more than accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

·         Up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

·         1 in 5 teenage girls have been threatened by a boyfriend.

·         Every day in the US more than three women are murdered by a husband or a boyfriend.

·         92% of women surveyed listed reducing domestic violence and sexual assault as their top priority.

·         Domestic violence victims lose nearly 8 million days of paid work in the US alone—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs.

·         The cost of intimate partner violence in the US exceeds 5.8 Billion per year.

·         Men who as children witnessed their parents’ violence were twice as likely to abuse their own wives as sons of non-violent parents.[1]

B.      Homeless Women and Children

The economy has had terrible consequences for single women and women with children.  It only takes one broken down vehicle or one hospital visit to take this group of people down the road to homelessness.  It is even more complicated if the woman has made poor life choices and is in recovery.  By the time a woman in this category reaches out for help from Green Light she has exhausted all resources and has alienated her family and friends.  With nowhere to go the woman and her children will be sleeping in their car or at the park.  Azle ISD counselors and social workers have contacted Green Light and need the people placed in a safe shelter so the children may go to school. There is a strong compelling argument regarding homelessness and domestic violence.  Every day in Texas 1,740 persons could not be provided emergency shelter, and 1,422 could not access transitional housing. [2]

C.     Abandoned Women With or without Children

This resident category usually includes non-working and possibly illiterate women.  The husband or intimate partner left for work and never came home.  These abandoned women have never worked; many are disabled, and may have learning impairments.  The husband left when times got hard, or the woman became ill with a debilitating disease.  Sometimes, the woman was the breadwinner and the man left the woman with all the bills.  As soon as the rent cannot be paid the woman and possibly her children, are now homeless.

D.    Pregnant Teens

Teenage pregnancy has been an issue for a long time.  Green Light has been asked by both school and many girls to live at the shelter.   Many of the girls have severed ties with their families and there has been family violence.  However, the young women would like to finish school and continue their education.  Many of these girls have been threatened by boyfriends and are trying to save the baby.  Rates of abuse increase with a pregnant woman.  To exert their authority an abusive intimate partner/boyfriend will often target the girl’s abdomen during a violent encounter.[3]  The young women will bolt if CPS or the Social Worker attempts to reunite the family.  However, many times the birth of the baby will bring about a restoration of the family.  Having a safe place for the young woman allows time and circumstances to calm the violence in the family.

E.     Troubled Youth

Many youth have witnessed violence and illegal drug activity in the home.  The social norm has been changed to include: 

a.       Illegal drugs are ok.

b.      Truancy is ok.

c.       Violence and gang activity is ok.

d.      Pregnancy is a sign of maturity and is ok. 

Many of the youth have been in trouble with truancy or malicious mischief.  These youth need a place, close to home, with boundaries.   Often, the youth will make peace with their families and go back home and finish school.  Texas Education Agency has issued a statistic analysis of Completion rates of youth.  In 2009, 959 young people did not graduate from Azle ISD but were enrolled in Azle ISD as freshmen.[4]  Pregnancy was a leading cause in dropping out of high school.   Green Light Ministries is in the 2^nd year of a Youth Grant for dropouts and is assisting in young people to prepare for college.  The program teaches Culinary Arts and assists the young person in entering college.

F.      Women in Recovery

Women in Recovery are determined to get free from drugs and alcohol addiction. They have joined AA/NA and are seeking assistance in getting on their feet as they overcome the past mistakes of their life.  Commitment to the program is evidenced by attitude and desire on the part of the participant.  Green Light focuses on each unique individual in their recovery efforts and realizes that change in this category is a process. 

G.    Women with Mental Health Issues

Women with mental health issues come to our facility to receive compassion and comfort while they are receiving medication and counseling from either Tarrant County or Parker County MHMR. 

H.    Homeless Elderly Women

This category of resident is over 55 and is homeless from Azle.  Typically, this resident has physical issues that would prevent her from working, yet she has not had the benefit of applying for social security disability.  Many have suffered neglect and abuse from a spouse or from adult children.

New Programs for Women

Green Light has partnered with Tarrant County to provide housing for women that were abused in their early childhood by relatives and were used in human trafficking and prostitution.  These women are refreshed and taught that they have value. They are taught reading, math and other life skills that will assist them in getting a legitimate job, counseling, AA/NA classes, parenting, and connected with programs for the disabled when needed.  Green Light assists in Diversion Programs in Tarrant County and Parker County.  In doing so, we are helping to lower taxes in our community and providing a service that will reduce crime in our area.