Partnership Against Domestic Violence is the first and largest organization helping victims of domestic violence in Georgia, but the 50-year-old nonprofit also works to prevent it.
“Our mission is to end the crime of domestic violence and empower its survivors,” said Katha D. Blackwell, the Partnership’s president and CEO. “We do that through our emergency shelters, our housing services and our legal advocacy services, as well as our financial assistance programs.
Northside Hospital is a partner in the Partnership’s efforts.
“Our programs make a difference in the lives of the women we serve by ensuring that our survivors have a safe place to stay while they’re trying to navigate through such a difficult time in their life.”
PADV started in 1975 as an all-volunteer agency. It now provides support to abused women, children and men in Atlanta, and in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. It offers a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelters, legal advocacy, a dating violence prevention program, community support groups and more.
“For domestic violence survivors, leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most complex and most dangerous situations they could possibly be in, and our program makes sure that they have a safe place to stay, not worrying about the food that they’ll eat or the clothes that they may need, and provide them with everything they need to move forward to a safe place in their life,” Blackwell said.
PADV first offered only an emergency shelter but expanded its efforts to get clients into their own housing. The organization provides more than 200 clients a year with supportive housing programs. About 100 property owners work with PADV to ensure clients have a safe place to go after their time in a shelter.
Blackwell recalled one story that illustrates the important work of her organization.
“Sarah* came to us from the emergency room. The hospital reached out to us. We immediately were able to provide her with transportation to get to our shelter,” Blackwell said.
“Because of our work, we were able to help her get into our shelter, get into her own place, start her own business and build a house from the ground up.
“We hear women and that’s why it’s so important for organizations like Partnership Against Domestic Violence to have as much support as possible to do this work. Women are dying at an astronomical rate within our society and it is up to us and our community providers to help all organizations that do this work to help survivors move forward with their lives and have a safe place for them and their children.
“Partnership Against Domestic Violence makes sure women are heard.”
To reach the 24-hour crisis line for metro Atlanta, call 404-873-1766.
Heard: A Movement for Women’s Well-Being
Learn more about community partnerships at Northside.
* The client’s name has been changed to protect her identity.
