Children come to the NOA shelter with their mothers. Approximately half of the victims served by the shelter are children. Over the years, many children have entered shelter life reacting differently to their new environment.

Shelter staff still remembers the excited reaction of a little boy when he first arrived with his mother. "I LOVE THIS PLACE MOM! He happily announced. Not all children react in such a positive manner as most children who come into shelter have seen, heard, and at times suffered unimaginable acts of violence.

Children react to domestic violence differently depending if they have witnessed the act or have been abused themselves. They may get hurt indirectly as objects are thrown during a domestic dispute. Or, they may be hurt while their mother is holding them when the abuser hits, pushes or shoves.

As a domestic violence shelter, NOA provides care and emotional support to help children overcome the traumatic effects of domestic violence. A Child Advocate meets with each child entering the shelter for an assessment. A therapeutic plan is developed to encourage children to identify feelings, begin sharing traumatic memories, and learn ways to cope.

The shelter meets an important need in the lives of victims. As a safe refuge, NOA works to stop the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence giving victims hope and the courage to overcome adversities. By caring for child victims along with their mothers, the program enhances their self-esteem, resiliency and coping skills.