Peace House is a nice building, which is why I will give it one star. The definition of PH is "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." This is probably being charitable.
PH caused more trauma for me than it helped me. PH is based on a model of fear and assumptions that survivors- those who trust PH when they leave everything they have to make a better life for themselves and their children- are somehow doing this because they want handouts. From the moment you enter, it's explicitly and every day held over your head that you must soon leave. Yet, they do NOTHING to set you up for leaving. I left PH with no protective order- their legal team is "nice" and then absolutely inept. I left with no housing- I came to realize this was actually the rule, not the exception. I left with no job, no money, and with more trauma than I started, mainly due to the so-called "advocates."
The "advocates" at PH are glorified babysitters. They are paid as such and to my understanding have little to no training. I spent more of my time cleaning up the emotional and interpersonal messes they created among residents, as well as comforting them for their ridiculous mistakes!, than I ever got help from them. I'm lucky that their mistakes and immaturity didn't cause any serious ramifications for my personal situation or legal case, but I was a lucky one. They are advocates in name only, not advocates trained by OVW as you see at other shelters.
I didn't write this review for a few months after leaving because I don't want to ever deter people from leaving a dangerous situation. But there are at least three other shelters within a couple hours of PH- I really recommend looking into them first. Good luck and stay strong anyone who is reading this. Xo read more