Get Support DOVE is here for you. View Our Programs & Services Additional Resources SafeLink Hotline: 1-877-785-2020 National DV Hotline : 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 ) You can also chat online or text "START" to 88788 National Love Is Respect Hotline: 1-866-331-9474 You can also chat online or text "LOVEIS" to 22522 LGBTQ Resources: The Network la Red 617-742-4911 National Sexual Assault Hotline: RAINN Chat online or call 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Emergency Shelter DOVE provides emergency shelter for survivors fleeing domestic violence. Our gender inclusive shelter provides refuge for both single individuals and families. While in DOVE’s shelter, program participants are supported to ground themselves after crisis or a period of homelessness. DOVE Advocates use trauma informed practices to help survivors look inward as they begin to discover who they will become in the aftermath of abuse. DOVE Advocates also assist program participants to seek transitional and/or permanent housing, to connect children with school and education, and to begin planning for life beyond the shelter. Upon moving out, our program participants are able to continue to work with the staff as they transition towards self-sustainability.

On behalf of DOVE’s staff, Board of Directors, and the Harvesting Hope event committee members, thank you for supporting DOVE’s Harvesting Hope 2022 Gala and Fundraiser. You helped us raise more than $200,000 for DOVE’s lifesaving programs serving victims and survivors of domestic and partner violence . As we remembered this past year's victims of domestic and partner violence, we also wanted to focus on the importance of education and prevention by featuring a motivational video centering on our YouthSpeak program. We envisioned this event to build hope for our survivors during these challenging times, hope for our supporters that every individual can make a difference, and hope for DOVE’s team that our work provides lifesaving effects. Harvesting Hope encompasses our mission to promote hope, healing, safety, and social change so all of us can work together to end domestic and partner violence. Thank you so much for building hope with us, and making this fundraiser the success that it was. As our motto for Harvesting Hope declares, “Help Save Lives and Families.” Take this motto with you beyond Harvesting Hope and join DOVE as we continue every day to empower survivors to build a life free from violence and fear. Together, we can accomplish much more. Thank you for your support and commitment to ending domestic and partner violence. Please enjoy the video we presented during Harvesting Hope below. Thank You Everyone! Big thanks to our Volunteer Event Committee! Cassie McGlynn Development Director Aileen Farrell Stacy Murphy Beth Porter Board President Hannah Marsh Cindy Ouellette Sam Arrigal Lauren McCallum Mary Poluikis Sharon Cain Robin Moyer Elise Tenney

Jen Bolton Sr. Director, Prevention & Education Jen, MSW, LICSW (she/her) is the Director of Prevention and Education and has been working at DOVE since 2009 giving presentations, trainings and workshops to community members, professionals and students on domestic violence. She holds a masters in social work and maintains a small caseload supporting survivors of domestic violence in group and individual settings. RETURN TO ALL STAFF

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES DOVE prides itself as a collaborative, inclusive and passionate work environment where our employees are dedicated to our Mission and Vision. DOVE aspires to cultivate the leadership potential of promising candidates. Domestic violence survivors, members of historically oppressed communities including QTPOC, candidates with disabilities, and individuals with experience working in DOVE’s catchment area are particularly encouraged to apply. Managing Attorney The DOVE Managing Attorney is an expert in family law. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of a small Legal Advocacy Program (LAP), consisting of one additional staff attorney with possibility for growth. The Managing Attorney will provide legal representation, advice, pro se assistance, referrals, and other legal services to LAP clients in their family law and restraining order matters. Expertise in housing and/or immigration law is a plus. Proficiency in a foreign language is preferred but not required. Click here to read full description and to apply Staff Attorney The DOVE Staff Attorney specializes in family law. They are part of DOVE’s Legal Advocacy Program (LAP), consisting of one additional managing attorney with possibility for growth. The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation, advice, pro se assistance, referrals, and other legal services to LAP clients in their family law and restraining order matters. Expertise in housing and/or immigration law is a plus. Proficiency in a foreign language is preferred but not required. Click here to read full description and to apply

YouthSpeak Sign Up Check Out YouthSpeak: Program Levels Program Timeline Program Components Middle School Workshops YouthSpeak , DOVE’s Healthy Relationship Education and Abuse Prevention Program, educates students and young adults on the complex issues of dating and relationships while supporting and empowering youth to become leaders and agents for change in their communities. Middle and High Schools are offered three different levels of increasing engagement, from one-time classroom presentations by DOVE staff to health classes, to a comprehensive peer led program with monthly meetings. DOVE also offers a six-part middle school series for 6th through 8th graders with six cumulative interactive workshops. Follow us on Instagram! Youth Advocate Summits Young people often turn to their peers for relationship advice. L earn about safe and healthy relationships with DOVE experts. Open to all high school students in Norfolk County, MA. Fill out our pre-registration form. We will contact you via email in 2-3 business days to set up a virtual 5-10 minute friendly interview just to hear why you are interested in joining! If your reason is just to learn more about healthy relationships, then that's a great answer! Please note that you must complete a virtual interview prior to registration. PRE-REGISTER HERE February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! Each February, advocates and organizations nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), focusing on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. Check out our 2026 community events! Stay tuned for 2027 updates.

Join Us At Harvesting Hope October 25, 2024 Purchase Tickets to Attends Please inform us of any seating preferences in the comments section of the form. Return to Home

Legal Advocacy Services Please note, the DOVE legal department will only be accepting internal referrals at this time. We appreciate your patience. Many survivors of domestic violence find themselves involved in court to address various legal issues. The legal system can be scary and confusing; DOVE’s Legal Advocacy Program may be able to help. DOVE’s legal staff are specifically educated on domestic violence and applicable laws. We provide trauma-informed, client-centered services and guide survivors through the legal system while keeping in mind safety concerns. Our team can provide legal advice and representation to survivors of domestic violence with cases in Norfolk County, and may be able to offer legal advice and referrals to survivors who have legal cases outside of our catchment area. All of our services are free and confidential. The legal team will provide services in the survivor’s primary language. We are able to assist clients of all languages through the use of phone and in-person interpreters. We offer assistance in the following areas: Restraining Orders (also called 209A Abuse Prevention Orders): Representation at restraining order hearings for survivors of domestic violence who are seeking a restraining order against an abuser or who need to defend against a restraining order; consultation about the strength of the case and any potential risks to filing in court; assistance reading or drafting court documents. Family Law Assistance with family law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, parenting time, and child support; consultation about the case and the pros, cons, and risks to filing in court; assistance reading or drafting court documents; negotiation with the opposing party in the case; preparation for court hearings or limited assistance representation by one of our staff attorneys. Housing Representation in summary process (eviction) cases in District Court and Metro South Housing court; representation at housing authority hearings including appeals of denials of domestic violence priorities on subsidized housing waitlists; negotiation with landlords and housing authorities regarding domestic violence-related housing issues such as names on leases/lease bifurcations, income calculations, getting locks changed, and porting vouchers; assistance with reasonable accommodations and security deposits. Benefits Assistance accessing and maintaining SNAP (food stamps), TAFDC (cash assistance), and EAEDC (state disability and caretaker benefits) benefits; representation at DTA hearings and appeals involving overpayments, fraud, and benefits termination issues related to domestic violence. Immigration Representation in affirmative applications for immigration relief for survivors of domestic violence, including U visas, which offer relief to undocumented individuals w ho are the victims of certain serious crimes; relief under the Violence Against Women Act; assistance removing the conditions on lawful permanent status; asylum, and other forms of relief. Victim’s Rights Legal advice and assistance for survivors whose abusive partners are facing criminal charges as a result of the abuse, including help understanding the criminal legal process and the survivor’s role in it as a victim witness; information about what to expect when called to testify against an abusive partner or former partner; help drafting victim impact statements; assistance communicating with the District Attorney’s office or victim witness advocate, and help advocating for protections in the Victim’s Bill of Rights.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Program Brochures View General DV Information View Legal Advocacy Resources View Information for Teens & Young Adults View View LGBTQIA+ Resources Public Policy & Advocacy Resources View Chinese Resources View FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is domestic violence? “Domestic Violence is not an argument every once in a while or a bad mood after a rough day; it is a pattern of harmful, controlling behavior that someone uses against their partner. Domestic violence is all about power and control and may not always involve physical abuse. It can include emotional/verbal, sexual, financial, and cultural/identity-based abuse and crosses all gender, age, ability, social, ethnic, racial, and economic lines. Abuse is never mutual, and doing everything “right” will not stop it. No one deserves to be threatened, intimidated, or harmed by a partner. You do not have to leave your partner to come to DOVE. You are not alone; help is available.”

Janet Johnston Operations Director Janet Johnston (she/her) RETURN TO ALL STAFF

Information for Teens & Young Adults DOVE Teen & Young Adult Brochure Cycle of Violence Defining Domestic Violence Defining Healthy Relationships Interactive Safety Planning Love & Abuse Red Flags Disguised as Romantic Gestures Relationship Bill of Rights Relationship Spectrum Talking To Your High Schoolers About Dating Additional Media Resources

Kathleen Lydon Sr. Director, Community Services Kathleen Lydon, MSW, LICSW (she/her) earned her undergraduate Social Work degree at Providence College and holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wheelock College. Kathleen has a background in working with at-risk adolescents, many of whom have been exposed to violence; additionally, she has experience working with victims and survivors of sexual assault. Kathleen shares DOVE’s mission to provide strengths-based, empowerment-focused and trauma-informed services. Kathleen’s work with DOVE began in 2009 as a Social Work Intern and subsequently a community-based Advocate. She assumed her current position in 2012. Kathleen oversees DOVE’s domestic violence counseling & advocacy services, support groups, children services, civilian domestic violence services and DOVE’s clinical internship program. Kathleen is a native of Maine and currently resides with her husband and three children on the South Shore. RETURN TO ALL STAFF