Walking away from a domestic violence situation can mean leaving all your personal belongings behind and once at a refuge, having those necessities would be welcomed. At the Haven House Family Shelter, those seeking safety can know that in addition to being protected from the abuser, services are also in place to provide victims with day to day necessities.

On Friday, the Knights of Columbus have scheduled a fish fry fundraiser from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with proceeds to benefit Haven House, where food and clothing will be provided to those escaping domestic violence. In addition, services will also include individual counseling, case management, therapeutic child care, court advocacy, information and referrals for additional services as well as transportation, the executive director of the shelter Georgia Grodowitz said.

The Haven House Family Shelter is a nonprofit organization that is funded strictly through donations and government grants, but to receive grants they must first be able to show matching donations, Grodowitz said.

“We have to prove the community is behind us and without matching funds, we would not qualify for the grant money,” she said.

“A lot of our time is spent writing and trying to qualify for these grants,” Grodowitz said, estimating it takes about a six-week time period for each of the four major grants the shelter seeks.

In requesting grants, the organization must present a line item budget of where the dollars will be spent making it even more important for the non-for profit to receive donations.

“Donations are so important for unexpected expenses,” she said.

Although located in Vicksburg and a primary shelter for the counties of Warren, Yazoo, Sharkey and Isaquena, the Haven House Family Shelter is also a secondary shelter for neighboring counties of Hinds, Rankin, Madison and Simpson, Grodowitz said.

This past year, more than 900 crisis calls were received and direct support services were provided to approximately 200 individuals through the shelter, and it’s outreach programs, which helps victims save money, find housing, secure employment, apply for necessary services and most importantly become empowered, Grodowitz said.

“Services can also be provided for individuals who choose not to be residents of the shelter on an outreach basis,”Grodowitz said, with services including but are not limited to off-site counseling, safety planning and court advocacy. The Haven House staff also continues to work with residents past their stay at the shelter.

Services provided by Haven House are not exclusive to women and children.

“We do provide services to men especially through our outreach program,” she said.

Victims of domestic violence may contact the Haven House crisis line 24-hours a day and the crisis line will also provide assistance in securing protective orders or any other services a victim may need.

The fundraising event will be at the KC Hall on Fisher Ferry Road. The cost of the meal is $10 and includes fried or grilled catfish and all the trimmings. Tickets are available at the door and take out orders are also available.

For more information, call 601-638-0555.