‘Rebuilding their lives’: How Friendship Home in Lincoln helps abuse survivors

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Since 1978, Friendship Home has been helping domestic violence survivors and their children reclaim their independence.

“Our mission is to provide that continuum of care for anyone who is facing domestic violence and just help support them and rebuilding their lives free from domestic violence,” Development Director Danielle Jurgens said.

In 2022, the nonprofit served over 1,500 survivors of domestic violence with resources such as a 24/7 crisis anonymous hotline, pre-shelter program, safety planning and more.

“They receive case management services, potentially counseling, support groups, just really any kind of service that family, that survivor is seeking,” Jurgens said.

She said 60% of those assisted last year were children, both as victims and witnesses.

Friendship home offers a child advocacy program that gives kids a chance to speak with someone safely.

Jurgens said the organization tries its best to make the shelters feel like a home. She shared a story of one child who moved into a single-family shelter and was just excited to have their own bed.

“Some of them are just excited to have their own toys or have that space to be free and be safe and see what it is like to have a safe and happy home,” she said.

The warning signs of abuse can come in many forms, such as isolation from friends and family, mood changes and others.

Jurgens said reaching out to someone who may be affected by abuse can be as easy as asking, “Are you OK?”

“It may take them some time, and they may be afraid to open up,” she said.

But you should let them “know that you are there for them and truly listening to them when they start to open up and share their story.”

On April 15 and 16, Friendship Home and its partners will host the 24th annual Stuff the Bus event, where they will be collecting items and donations to help their mission.

More information about the event and how you can get involved can be found here.