Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence - Coldwater, Michigan

It's A. D. N. A. D.

Giving up hope... I've been turned away now from 27 shelters/organizations. Winter is fast approaching. I finally got out of SA and DV but I am homeless with my service dog. I am a transgender male, men do experience abuse as well unfortunately. I battled it as a female and as a fully transitioned male. I have a service dog for a reason. He is highly task trained and they wanted him to be placed in a kennel outside? How would he be able to work and assist me with my disabilities if he is not with me...been turned away because I am transgender and because I have living breathing life saving medical equipment. Winter is around the corner and we will be in a tent, freezing.

Rebecca S.

Went to get help from them and they were very rude towards me. I got yelled at for asking for bedding for the new beds.. yes they helped but they will have you wishing you was back with your abuser because they really do not want to help your they seriously look down on people like us and I think it is so wrong . I am at a low point in my life and you wanna be rude with me and tell me their are no resources that can help me ... It's been barely a week. I got my own place and a job I have been trying it's not like I'm a lazy bum looking for handouts!! I do not recommend coming here for help! They are just mean and make you feel even worse than you already do, if you know what I mean. They should do better! People are struggling and it's not a joke!!!

Cait

I think their main goal is only emergency services, since I called them so many times for help dealing with the fallout....

I had to wait WEEKS for an appointment with a "really good specialist" counselor.... and the one lady literally called me on her lunch break, sandwich in mouth, chomping away and said "Just block him".

That was the "really good advice" i got from them. :/

No help with legal advocacy, or counseling. They never helped me with the court stuff or papers or the emotional breakdown from all of what happened to me.

A family resources clinic got me proper counseling.

A different DV shelter had a legal advocate come to the court hearings with me.

Yet another DV shelter briefed me before and after the hearings with what to expect.

The YWCA of Kalamazoo helped me look over my papers.

A random guy on reddit helped me call around to places.

BCCADV offered me a place to sleep, and offered to take an email from the court for me. It was zero help for dealing with the fallout.

I encourage anyone who is going through this, please please please do not give up. I made hundreds of phone calls over 9 months, sometimes calling from 8am until 5pm, being on hold sometimes for hours. Using 2 phones at once because I was on hold for so long.... Sending hundreds of emails to shelters and organizations, lawyers, etc.

Please dont give up. I wanted to. I wanted to so bad. Never before in my life had I wanted to give up on something so bad.... but the right people are out there, but it is a needle in a haystack...

Jeri H.

I have been attending group for years here, and the staff has always been kind to my children, and myself. They are very professional and very discrete. This is definitely a safe place to go. Through them I have learned a lot, and will continue to work closely with them in order to keep moving forward. Because they were there for us and provided a safe place, my family and I continue to grow and move ahead with our lives. Thank you to the amazing staff at the shelter house!

Melissa W.

I have been going to the support group at the shelter for several years. The staff are the most kind and caring. They have always been very kind to my children and always handled any problems very professionally. If you need a safe place to go this is the place. They treat you like family and always keep in contact

Kali H.

I have lived at the BCCADSV house two times being a victim of domestic violence and I highly recommend this place for people who are a victim of any kind of abuse. Kim goes above and beyond for anybody as much as she can. She is working basically 24/7 so if you know her and see her please tell her thank you for directing such wonderful organizations that help people get out of bad situations! They have many more helpful services even for teens and young kids. Kim saved my life and i couldn't thank her more!

Andrew F.

Such a great resource for Branch County! Receives lots of support from local philanthropy, Like Sunrise Rotary Club, who has made the new Child advocacy center there, the main project for our club

Robin W.

The Branch County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence seeks to engage the whole community in taking responsibility to end domestic violence. The Director and staff strive to empower victims of domestic and sexual assault through many outreach programs that will help victims become survivors. The 24/7 emergency shelter provides a temporary safe haven for anyone fleeing a domestic or sexual violence situation, the staff is caring and well educated in providing an understanding helpful resource in such sensitive traumatic situations. As every person's own trama is unique and different, I have always been impressed by the caring skills, knowledge and experience the advocates of the BCCADV show their residents, present or former. This agency is changing lifes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐