 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Welcome to Daystar What is Daystar? Daystar is a long-term transitional home for women who are homeless because of domestic abuse. We provide shelter and support services to survivors of domestic abuse that allows them to regain their confidence and self-esteem and to break the chain of violence in the lives. We provide women with the tools to become financially stable and emotionally independent. Why is Daystar unique? Daystar, Inc. is the only transitional shelter program in the greater Milwaukee area for formerly battered women without dependents. Most people are familiar with the wonderful work that our community emergency shelters do. What most people do not realize is that allowed stays at emergency shelters are often brief – a few weeks at best. For some women this is fine. They get out of harm’s way, get their life situated and move on. But for other women a few weeks’ time is simply not enough. They have no means for supporting themselves, no where to go and no idea how to obtain the resources they may need to get back on their feet again. That’s where Daystar comes in. As a long-term transitional shelter women are allowed to stay for up to two years. They are directed to community resources. They participate in a program that includes individual counseling, a weekly support group and other activities designed to stimulate healing on all levels. They are encouraged to continue educational or job-training programs and to seek living-wage employment. They set goals. Why does Daystar not take dependents? We believe that in order to heal a woman needs to focus solely and completely on herself. National statistics indicate that it takes 5-7 times of leaving before a woman will leave her abuser for good. We want her stay at Daystar to be that final break whether it is the first time she has left or the 10th. Many women come to us after having raised their children. For women with children in the foster care system because of domestic abuse, these positive steps can result in reunification and a break to the generational cycle of violence. Daystar’s history: Daystar, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Sister Irene Kay who saw an unmet need in Milwaukee and whose vision became Daystar. That unmet need was a long-term facility for battered women - a place where women could heal, put their lives in perspective and emerge self-confident. Now, twenty-two years later, Daystar remains the only shelter of its kind in Southeastern Wisconsin, having served approximately 400 women during that time. Daystar's mission is: |
