Battling Abuse
Ninety-three residents live on site at The Julian Center Shelter, an Indianapolis-based organization that works with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking.
Of those 93 people, 53 are women victims of abuse. The remaining are children who have been caught in the abuse or its aftermath.
Founded in 1975, the center offers counseling services and temporary housing for victims of these crimes.
A 24-hour crisis phone line, a thrift store, a food pantry and even a full-fledged Indianapolis Public School for kindergarten through eighth grade are also part of the center’s services.
Julian Center volunteer Hailey O’Connell, who is part of the AmeriCorps organization, came to work at Julian for a year-long service project.
O’Connell explained that The Julian Center allows families to stay together in its housing. She said that some similar organizations don’t allow that, especially older male children.
“I read that 81 percent of men who batter their wives were victims of domestic violence or witnessed it as a child,” O’Connell said. “We [The Julian Center] work to break that cycle.”
Dawn Knipe has volunteered with the center for years. She finds the mission of the Julian Center rewarding and values the work she does there. Knipe, a University of Indianapolis alumna, majored in Spanish and French.
“There is a growing need for Spanish-speaking volunteers,” Knipe said. “Its a great way to use those skills to benefit others.”
Knipe finds a deep connection getting work done at Julian.
“I was once in a relationship that could [have] very easily landed me in a place like this one,” Knipe said. “I recognize the signs in other women and now can be the one to find help for them.”
O’Connell and Knipe both explained that working with victims can be overwhelming, but there are several ways to get involved.
Thrifty Threads, the Julian Center’s thrift store, is always looking for volunteers. O’Connell explained that anyone who is interested can help out at the store. Food, toy and clothing drives to benefit clients of the center also are an accessible way to get involved with the Julian Center.
“Last week, elementary school students brought 208 toys to donate,” O’Connell said. “It was adorable.”
In the holiday season, the center is overflowing with donations.
“It’s a good problem to have,” O’Connell said.
The Julian Center offers three internships. They are on semester cycles: fall, spring and summer. One is in the Development Office, one is with the summer programming for children and one is with the Human Trafficking Initiative.
The Julian Center Web site, www.juliancenter.org, has information about application deadlines for internships. The Web site also details ways to donate and volunteer at The Julian Center.
“All I can say is volunteer, volunteer, volunteer,” Knipe said.
