October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a national campaign recognized as a month to raise awareness about domestic violence, support survivors and initiate harm prevention education.
According to the U.S. Department of Juistice, domestic violence is “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship.” While, most commonly, people associate domestic violence with romantic partnerships, this kind of violence can happen in any kind of relationship, such as a familial relationship or abuse against children or the elderly.
As many individuals and organizations take a step back on their domestic violence advocacy after October, some organizations work year-round to help survivors.
One organization is Viola’s Place Inc., a Williamstown-based non-profit and domestic violence resource and support center located on Main Street. The organization and building date back to 2018, when its founder and CEO, Dr. Darlene Keith-Battle, decided to dedicate her time, energy and work to women and children in need.
The front of Viola’s Place Inc., which faces out to Main Street in Williamstown.
“Viola’s Place started kind of out of nowhere. We were feeding (the homeless) in Camden, and someone told us about a mother and a child that were under a bridge, so we ended up taking her food, (talking with her) and finding out (she was) fleeing domestic violence and didn’t know where to go,” Keith-Battle said. “I told her there’s a bunch of resources, but she had no idea. So Viola’s Place was kind of (inspired by this instance and wanting to find resources for women that are fleeing domestic violence, homelessness and substance abuse).”
The resource and support center runs programs for adults and children, and they also gather and donate supplies for those in need. It is primarily independently funded; however, the township and county frequently support the organization with its initiatives.
After a few years (including during the COVID-19 lockdown), Viola’s Place has expanded. In April, Keith-Battle and her Viola’s Place team created Queen’s Village LLC and Housing Program, and the house officially opened in July.
The program offers the opportunity for women in need of housing to live safely on their own in a house that can hold up to 10 women. The house itself is not located in Williamstown, but it is still close enough for Keith-Battle and her team to support both of their establishments.
“It’s a safe place from harm,” Keith-Battle said.
Queen’s Village has two floors, complete with bedrooms with beds, a bathroom, a kitchen and living space. Currently, there are only two women who have been living in the house. Keith-Battle said it is a bit of a trial period, as her and her team are still figuring out the best practices. And above all, they want the women to feel safe and independent.
She said the plan is residents can stay at the house for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 24 months. The ideal stay is about 18 to 24 months.
It is completely free for the women to stay in the house. Residents will receive a welcome kit to get started with their stay, and they will frequently receive donations from Viola’s Place. Keith-Battle said it is valuable for the residents to be responsible for most of their groceries and neccesities once they get into a routine, which Keith-Battle and her team help the women with. This gives the residents a piece of independence and a glance into how life can look once they are back on their own.
“We’re re-educating, retraining,” she said. Most importantly, they are helping women learn how to not only survive, but live on their own in a stable, safe home. They are protecting and helping women to the best of their abilities.
Moving forward, Keith-Battle plans to open one or more new housing locations for women and also teenagers who are aging out of the foster system.
If you want to support Viola’s Place or Queen’s Village or learn more about their resources and programs, go to www.violaspalceinc.net. Currently, they are accepting new or gently used suitcases, duffles and bags for women to use, especially the women who will eventually move out of the housing program.
Viola’s Place Inc. founder and CEO, Dr. Darlene Keith-Battle, outside of Viola’s Place, located on Main Street in Williamstown.
