Addressing the Needs of Survivors in Domestic Violence Shelters

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking often face significant barriers to accessing basic hygiene items when seeking shelter. Monarch Services, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz County, addresses these challenges at its Mariposa House. The agency offers various services for survivors, including advocacy, case management, and emergency shelter. This project involved organizing a donation drive, enhancing the intake process with a needs assessment, and gathering client feedback through surveys on hygiene items received. The expected outcomes were collecting hygiene products, integrating a needs assessment into the intake form, and client feedback. The shelter successfully received hygiene donations, updated the intake form, and surveyed two of the three new clients who arrived in October. Recommendations include ongoing efforts to raise awareness of hygiene donation needs, maintaining an up-to-date inventory, and ensuring case managers conduct client needs assessments upon arrival.