Hope Harbor Capital Campaign

Since it was founded in 1983, Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ESCADV) has been the only organization survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault can turn to for help. 

What started out as a volunteer-staffed hotline, has grown into a staff of 10 offering: 

- 24-hour emergency hotline

- Emergency Shelter

- Rape crisis services

- Counseling services

- Assistance with housing and daily life needs

- Services for children who have experienced domestic violence

- Hospital and courtroom support

- Legal advocacy

- Support groups

- And more

In 1996 ESCADV began operating a 16-bed duplex-style shelter. Over the years, it wasn't uncommon for the shelter to full. Once the shelter reached capacity, any additional suvivors needing a place to stay would have to be housed in hotels. There were often 30 clients needing shelter, with almost half of them having to be shelterd in hotels. 

COVID made capacity even more of a challenge. To mitigate the risk of spreading the virus, only one survivor and any accompanying children could be housed in each side of the shelter at a time. All other clients had to be housed in hotels. This tripled ESCADV's housing costs. It was clear this wouldn't be sustainable.  

Now ESCADV is reaching out to our local community to help us expand! We recently acquired three buildings that will allow us to increase our shelter capacity from 16 people to 30 people. In addition to increasing capacity, this new space will also allow us to offer new services. 

Expanding our capacity and services will require us to raise the money to complete the upgrading of our new facilities.

Please consider investing in this vital task. Your donation will make the Eastern Shore a safer place for everyone!