Frustrated by one agency. Angels at another.

Frustration. That was the word this afternoon.

A domestic violence victim called. On foot, scared and alone she had fled to a stranger's home so she could call us. We talked to her and helped her explore her options. She isn't ready to press charges yet. She just wants to get to a safe place where she can think. Once she is free of fear she might be able to do that and formulate a clear plan. Right now, she doesn't have the emotional reserves, money or even transportation. Is there help for her? Where? How?

Our policy is to help a victim find shelter when she requests it. Besides the online work we do our community is made up of parts of four counties. Often a victim just wants to talk and make a safety plan. When they need a shelter helping a victim decide where do go and what shelter serves their county is a very big deal. Victims are stressed and scared. Calling multiple agencies can be intimidating - even under the best of times.

So today, our staff did what we always do. We called the local shelter for this victim's county to see if they had room for one person. Often they don't. This time, instead of answering "Yes" or "No" we ran into a brick wall.

The staff person on the other end said she didn't give out that information. Also, she went on to say that the victim will have to phone their agency herself. They would have to make the decision and she could tell the victim if there was shelter available via their agency or not and if not they could provide her with other phone numbers. - This was a pretty unrealistic scenario for a scared person who sought emergency refuge at the home of someone she did not know.

Our executive assistant couldn't believe her ears when our staff brought this to her attention. Did they really think a victim who was scared and at the mercy of others would be able to make call after call if this agency didn't have shelter? Why would the shelter want to waste time (thiers or the victim's) by giving a run around. Surely this was a misunderstanding. She phoned the other agency to straighten this out.

But no. She was told the same thing. The staff at the agency refused to answer the question.

Not wanting to waste more time our executive assistant phoned the agency in the neighboring county. They were wonderful! They were wiling to do whatever it took to get the victim to safety. If they didn't have space they would create it. Was she safe? Where is she? Does their advocate or shelter staff need to come and get her?

We knew she would be in safe hands. With permission, we gave this agency the phone number for the victim. When our executive assistant phoned the victim to let her know they would be calling she said they were already on the other line.

She hung up knowing that this time this victim would be safe. An agency of angels. Thank God for them.