Remote Advocacy Services at Rosie's Place

When the pandemic hit and folks were asked to stay home and stay apart, we created the Helpline so that our housed guests could continue to connect with us for support. And for so many women who were isolated and anxious during that chaotic time, we were a lifeline, helping them with both basic and complicated needs. The Helpline allows us to help even more women, immediately and conveniently with whatever they need from wherever they are. It’s really been a game changer for us!

Everything that we offer a guest on-site, we can offer over the Helpline. Things like help with medical and housing paperwork, groceries and rent and utility arrearages. We are also able to connect them to our Legal Program and mental health, housing and employment specialists.

Our Advocates speak multiple languages and we utilize a translation service whenever needed. Women can call throughout the day and talk, email or text with someone in their native language. Or they can leave a message and we’ll get back to them within 24 hours. We know that when a woman is calling us, she is in crisis. So it’s vital to be as responsive and compassionate as we can be, in every call we answer.

Many times, the first and most urgent thing a woman who calls our Helpline needs is to be listened to and not be interrupted or redirected. And when there is a silence or a question for us, we know we can answer it because Rosie’s Place has so many different services and resources.

In the past two years, the need for rent and utility assistance has soared and thankfully, Rosie’s Place has been able to increase our budget to meet this need. Because we know once a woman is evicted, she faces a long road back to any kind of stability.