Valerie L. Williams, BBA, MSc, CHC, CCEP Founder & CEO

The mission of the Lady Be Free Resource Center for Women, Inc. is to decrease domestic violence and minimize its impact through evidence based programs that provide protection, education and prevention. We are committed to empower our survivors with the skills necessary to acquire and maintain self-sufficiency.

 A pattern of abusive behavior that is used by an intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over the other intimate partner.  Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.  This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

 Domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes  One in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime  85% of domestic violence victims are women

 Domestic violence victims often return to their batterers when a viable option for permanent housing cannot be found.  A family earning minimum wage cannot afford a two- bedroom apartment at fair market rent.  Victims and survivors of domestic violence often have trouble finding other housing as their history of abuse may have caused poor employment, credit or rental histories.  Due to high demand, most domestic violence shelters do not allow victims to stay more than 90 days.  More than half of the U.S. cities identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness.

Five Things to Say When a Victim Says They Cannot Leave  I am afraid for your safety.  I am afraid for the safety of your children.  It will only get worse.  There is help available.  You don't deserve to be abused.

What should you do when a woman confides in you?  Believe her  Acknowledge and support her for talking to you  Let her lead the conversation  Tell her you care about her and are concerned for her safety  Don’t blame her for the abuse  Offer your help to find resources

Lady Be Free will provide an affordable and supportive transitional housing program for survivors of domestic violence to assist them in obtaining:  self-sufficiency through weekly case management  utilization of community resources  raise education and income levels  teach life skills The transition is to aid residents to be more self sufficient to move towards independent living. Residents must be referred from another agency, will pay rent on a sliding scale and will be required to maintain negative drug and alcohol screenings.

 Identified Transitional Plan  Transitional Housing for 6-12 months  Support Services - Permanent housing search - Development of essential learning skills - Mental health & wellness  Development of Aftercare Plan

Work for a cause, not for applause. Live to express, not to impress. Inspect what you expect. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, strive to make your absence felt. Be an atmosphere changer!

Calls are held every 15th day of the month at 8pm EST Topic: Fresh Start Dial-In: (646) Passcode: