24 Hour Emergency Hotline: Chrysalis offers hotline services that are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. By calling our hotline you are getting in contact with a certified Domestic Violence Counselor that can advocate for shelter space, provide information and referrals to services, provide counseling, safety plan and provide crisis intervention.
PLEASE CALL OUR HOTLINE AT 203-238-1501 or Hotline 888-774-2900 (English) or 844-831-9200 (Español)
Emergency Shelter: Our program provides emergency shelter for anyone displaced from their homes due to domestic violence. This service is provided to men, women and families. Our shelter is a 15 bed shelter program in a confidential location. During the time spent with us, our residents are assigned primary advocates and have access to individual counseling, legal assistance, housing assistance, support groups and referrals to mental health professionals, legal-aid services and other services. For more information on emergency shelter call our hotline.
Individual and Group Counseling: Chrysalis hosts an achievement group every Tuesday at 5:30PM at our main office at 14 W. Main St. for victims of domestic violence. This is an open support group but before attendance a meeting with our adult advocate is preferred. If you are interested in attending the group, please contact Rosie Agudo at the main office by calling 203-630-1638.
Community Advocacy: Our clients do not have to be displaced from their homes and they don’t necessarily have to be enrolled in our shelter program. We accept community clients and allow them the opportunity to meet with one of our advocates at scheduled meetings to discuss the client’s needs, counseling, provide any information as well as any referrals to outside services. If you are interested in learning more on becoming a community client, please call the hotline and ask about becoming a community client.
Legal Advocacy: Support at the court level is provided by our Family Violence Victim Advocate at the Meriden Courthouse. Referrals are made to the FVVA for any criminal cases. If you would like more information you can call us at our hotline number 203-238-1501 or contact the office of the Family Violence Victim Advocate at 203-238-6140 ext. 4054.
Civil Advocacy: Chrysalis provides support for any civil cases as well. With our civil advocate, as our client, you are given the support needed through any civil cases that may be ongoing; this means all non-criminal legal matters are handled by our civil advocate. This service is provided to any victim/survivor of domestic violence. Any support needed in filing for a restraining order can also be achieved through our civil advocate. If you would like to learn more or would like to speak to our civil advocate you can call our main office at 203-630-1638 and request to speak to our civil advocate.
Transitional Living:
Blooms Place is a transitional living program (TLP) hosted by Chrysalis. At Bloom’s Place, residents live in a communal environment in one house. Each family has its own bedroom space, but bathrooms, kitchens and common areas are shared. All utilities are paid by Chrysalis, and residents have free use of a washing machine and dryer. Monthly program fees are calculated at 30% of total income. Staff is on-site to provide support and assistance. Minimum monthly income to be considered is $400.00 per/month. Transitional living gives anyone that has been made homeless due to domestic violence or sexual assault, with some financial independence, the opportunity to thrive independently and still receive more support from our program. It is the bridge between shelter and independent living.
TLP can provide:
- Financial assistance for rent and/or security deposits (as eligibility and funds allow)
- Advocacy and emotional support, including counseling and case management
- Assistance finding and maintaining permanent housing
- Safety Planning
- Vocational and employment assistance
- Referrals to community resources and services
In order to qualify for TLP you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a history of domestic violence (domestic violence victim or survivor) or sexual assault.
- Be 18 years or older
- Be homeless as a result of actively fleeing domestic violence or sexual assault/stalking.
- Have a verifiable and current source of income, sufficient to pay for all transportation, food, clothing, linens, hygiene, cleaning, and personal items for you and your dependents, plus your monthly program fees or percentage of rent as outlined in the application.
- Ongoing residence in Transitional Living Program requires that the head of household must be able to “safely” live independently, as staff is not available 24 hours for this program.
- Applicants are expected to follow an employment training track or educational track.
- For Community Apartments, applicants must additionally:
- Demonstrate enough income to support utilities, and other housing cost beyond “rent” or “security deposit” this includes furniture, utility deposits, pet deposits, rental fees, storage or other housing cost.
- Have the ability to set up utilities independently. (if not possible please talk to our advocate staff about the issue)
Scatter Site Apartments (Grant Renewal Pending): Chrysalis also supports transitional living residents at apartments in the community. Chrysalis can sponsor up to three apartments at a time. When those slots are full, applicants are automatically considered for Bloom’s Place. Clients of our community apartments program find their own apartment in Meriden or Wallingford, CT and negotiate and sign their own lease. Chrysalis provides financial support to pay a percentage of the rent. Clients pay 30% of their income for the first 6 months, and increase their contribution by 3% every six months to a maximum contribution of 39% over the maximum duration of 2 years. This is designed to help clients gradually work their way up to affording the apartment on their own. Clients in community apartments have support from staff for case management, emotional support, and connecting to community resources.
Child Advocacy: As parents, only so much can be done to protect your children. Witnessing domestic violence can affect a child’s emotional and cognitive development. Whether you choose to come into shelter or receive services as a community client, the shift in household/environment can confuse children and sometimes may be difficult to understand. Our program will not neglect the victims that may be sometimes forgotten. Our child advocate carefully works with children to better understand their needs and with parents to meet those needs and assist them in understanding the effects of witnessing domestic violence, the impact on the child and how to re-build a healthy relationship as well as safety plan with the parent when the offending parent is involved. Our child advocate also hosts groups and programs geared towards kids and parenting. If you would like more information, please feel free to call our hotline and request to speak to our child advocate.
Community Education/Real Strength: Prevention starts with the individual and community education. Chrysalis hopes to educate our community on domestic violence, its effects, prevention and services. We provide education geared towards a male audience where we explore what “Real Strength” actually is as well as general presentations as well. If you would like a representative to present to your organization, please feel free to call our main office at 203-630-1638.
mwchrysalis 