Human Options, Irvine

Amanda fled an abusive relationship late one night. Carrying her 16-month-old daughter—still dressed in pajamas—she walked to a gas station to look for help. What she found was Human Options, where she received a safe place to sleep, nutritious food, and personal counseling. Human Options provided her with that help and, according to Amanda, its "incredible staff saved [her] life."

Last year alone, Human Options provided safe haven and counseling to more than 400 abused women and their children. Like Amanda, each person who comes to the shelter first calls the 24-hour hotline. When they arrive at the emergency shelter, they receive their own room and nutritious meals. Families meet with a therapist, case manager, legal advocate, and child therapist twice a week, helping them gain emotional support and form a plan for when they leave the shelter. They also take part in a variety of classes led by certified personnel or outside professionals, including art therapy and budgeting. In addition to emergency services, Human Options provides a one-year transitional housing program to help survivors in their path to becoming self-sufficient.