The Safety and Well-Being of Domestic Violence Victims Is a Shared Responsibility.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Hope’s Door New Beginning Center, which serves victims of domestic violence in Collin County and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “Our vision is to end abuse for everyone,” says CEO Christina Coultas.
As Margaret Mead said, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.” Like all great endeavors, the seeds for Hope’s Door were planted by a few concerned women who came together for a common purpose—the need to provide for the safety of women. The effort started with a hotline, followed by the ability to shelter victims in hotels. Today, Hope’s Door offers a full continuum of services revolving around its four pillars: safety, advocacy, healing and prevention.
Safety and shelter are often the most immediate needs in domestic violence situations. For crisis situations, Hope’s Door offers a 24-hour hotline, as well as access to counseling, legal services and shelters. The organization also operates two emergency shelters with a total of 55 beds. Victims often stay for up to 45 days as they plan for their safety, unlike emergency night shelters, where someone might only be able to stay for one night. Additionally, Hope’s Door maintains a resale store in support of domestic violence victims and is scheduled to open its new location in March 2025 at the former DPS driver’s license office in Plano.
The second pillar is advocacy. “We’ve been fighting domestic violence for 40 years and still continue to do so,” Coultas says. “After someone has been placed in a shelter, then what’s next? Do we reunite them with family, or do we help them secure independent housing? While we can facilitate the housing process, we want women to know that we are more than a shelter. We are a full support organization that strives to assist victims with safety and support at any point in their journey.”
An integral part of Hope’s Door’s advocacy is education. “Historically, research says that legal advocacy is very important for victims of domestic violence, especially when it comes to things like retaining access to children or navigating the difficulties of post-separation parenting,” Coultas explains.
But education goes beyond teaching women how to interact with an attorney, the police or how to access hard-to-obtain benefits. Hope’s Door also encourages women to be on a journey of empowerment, helping them assess their strengths and how to achieve their goals. This also means teaching them how to map out a plan for their lives.
The third pillar is healing. “This is the ultimate outcome we desire. We have licensed clinicians who provide free therapeutic services, such as children’s play therapy and individual and group counseling. Healing is a long-term and often ongoing process, not a stopgap bandage.”
Finally, there is prevention. “We simply can’t shelter our way out of this. Educating the community—through in-person training with youth, nonprofits or corporate engagement—is one of our cornerstones.” Hope’s Door also offers the Battering Intervention and Prevention Program, a six-month, curriculum-based psychoeducational program most often referred to as an intervention for those who have used violence or abusive behaviors. “Those who complete BIPP are significantly less likely to reoffend. It focuses on changing attitudes and behaviors that contribute to domestic violence, including components of anger management, communication and understanding the impact of abuse.”
Domestic violence involves complex lives and complex choices. Community organizations such as Hope’s Door are helping vulnerable families navigate some of their darkest days with compassion and service. For more information, visit hdnbc.org/contact-us. For immediate assistance, call the 24/7 confidential hotline at 972-276-0057.