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Domestic Violence Services & Programs

Urban Resource Institute is the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S. We are committed to supporting those affected by domestic violence and driving sustainable, positive change, as we have for more than 40 years.

Domestic Violence Services

For victims fleeing violence, finding a safe refuge is just the first of many challenges they will face. URI’s client-centered approach to healing goes far beyond providing shelter; our innovative domestic violence services and programs allow survivors to heal, gain independence, and safely rebuild their lives.

We also focus on intervention and prevention through programs working with perpetrators, teens and pre-teens to break the cycle of violence.

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URI shelters provide safety and refuge to almost 1,200 domestic abuse survivors every night, giving them the space and support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
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On average 65% of our shelter residents are children.
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We offer 242 animal-friendly units across nine shelters so survivors do not have to abandon a beloved pet in order to enter shelter.

As the largest and most comprehensive domestic violence residential service provider in the U.S. we are committed to helping survivors overcome barriers to shelter, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity.

URI was recognized by The City of New York for its commitment to ending domestic violence and homelessness

View the Certificate of Recognition

We provide domestic violence shelter and safety for victims, their children, and pets. We operate emergency domestic violence shelters to help and house survivors immediately following their escape from abuse and transitional shelters to provide survivors longer-term support while they look for permanent housing.

Our PALS (People and Animals Living Safely) program--the only program in New York City and one of the few nationally--allows survivors to co-shelter with their pets.

We offer domestic violence shelters and services for victims fleeing domestic violence in its many forms. Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.1 Domestic violence/abuse exists in many forms including; physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, financial, digital, and spiritual. URI provides support to survivors experiencing one or more types of abuse.

We help victims heal. Our counselors and social workers meet with clients one-on-one and in group settings to help them recover from emotional and physical trauma, build their confidence, and begin to envision a future that they control.

We foster stability and independence. URI’s specialized programs provide survivors with the foundation they need to become self-sufficient and independent. We work with clients to find permanent housing; provide job-skills training; professional development opportunities; financial literacy education; and legal assistance to help resolve issues such as custody, immigration issues, and orders of protection.

We strive to break the cycle of violence through intervention programs with perpetrators of domestic violence, and prevention programs working with teenagers and pre-teens through in-school and virtual programming.

We know domestic violence is a crime. All domestic violence victims are crime victims and many need financial assistance to recover collateral destroyed by abusers.

The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) offers compensation for victims of crime, including domestic violence. Visit their Services page to learn more and apply.

Download the Crime Victims Benefit Application here.

  1. https://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/

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