The Julian Center, a nonprofit agency, provides counseling, safe shelter, case management, advocacy, and education for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and other life crises. Through outreach and consultation, the Julian Center works to educate the community about the issues of abuse and its impact on society.
The programs and services offered by the center are aimed at reducing the incidence of domestic abuse and sexual assault, to support survivors in healing, and to help break the intergenerational cycle of abuse.
“We have to be responsive to the needs of victims. The Julian Center provides a place for women to get back on their feet and stop the cycle of violence,” said Angela Price an Outreach Advocate for the Julian Center.
A United Way agency, the Julian Center was founded by one of the first women Episcopal priests with grants from Lilly Endowment and the Episcopal Diocese. Since 1975, women have chosen the Julian Center as a source of strength and a place of refuge in dealing with life’s challenges.
The Counseling Center continues to specialize in trauma therapy for women and child victims of abuse and assault. Since 1982, women have turned to the Julian Center’s 24-hour shelter to escape abusive relationships and find safety for themselves and their children.
One of those women is Kenya Dotson, who came to the shelter nine months ago to escape her extremely abusive boyfriend. Dotson had to quit her job, leave her home and all of her belongings.
“It is critical that women fleeing domestic violence have a safe place for themselves and their children,” noted Ann M. DeLaney, executive director, Julian Center. “They also need services to help them stay safe and productive once they leave the shelter and the Julian Center helps clients with those issues.”
The center also helps women focus on achieving long term goals such as building their credit, reorganizing their finances and maintaining healthy relationships.
While at the shelter Dotson has gotten a part-time job and returned to school. The 41 year old also participates in group and individual therapy sessions. The mother of one likes the security of living in the locked facility.
“I want a structured environment to work on my life,” explained Dotson. “There are a lot of emotions and I have someone to talk to. We’re like a family. We talk about our experiences.”
A petite lady who speaks in a voice barely above a whisper while looking at her hands, Dotson shares how she left in the middle of a fight when she was positive her abuser was trying to kill her.
“I remember being abused and the only thing that got me through was my faith and praying,” stated Dotson.
The Julian Center wants to be able to help even more women in situations similar to Dotson’s. The center has plans for a new location and building at 34th and Meridian St. for supportive permanent housing for abused women and their children.
The center hopes to finance the expansion through donations from the community and fundraisers. The Starlight Ball is the largest fundraiser of the year, with proceeds going directly to the clients of the agency.
“Without the Julian Center, I would be lost,” added Dotson. “We need more places like the Julian Center. We have to stop being victims. We’re not victims anymore. We are survivors.”
NOTE: The names in the story have been changed due to security purposes.
For more information call (317) 941-2200 or visit www.juliancenter.org.
