Experienced Leader Oversees Shelter Julie Keegan LMHC, formerly Unity House’s Domestic Violence Clinical Program Director, is now Assistant Director of Residential and Clinical Services. Julie will head up the 33-bed confidential domestic violence shelter. A licensed mental health counselor, Julie will also manage the counseling program, serving adults and youth across the program. Working closely… more
Help is Always Available Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services Program does A LOT: residential and non-residential program that collaborates with community partners to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence; free legal services to low-income residents of Rensselaer County; support groups, cell phones; help with issues around stalking; housing; job loss; food insecurity; child… more
October 20th Ribbon Cutting about more than Purple October is Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. The signature color is purple and Wear Purple Day is October 20th, a fitting day to cut the ribbon on the new home for Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services Program, which will operate out of a building at 6… more
Meet Unity House’s Assistant Director of the NYS Domestic and Sexual Assault Hotline and PREA Hotline Casey Helmer came to know Unity House when she accepted an internship in the Domestic Violence Services Program. A criminal justice major, Casey was interested in the intersection of intimate partner violence and the justice system. After receiving her… more
Troy Dance Factory to host Choreo Ball The Troy Dance Factory is a wonderful place. The classes, dance and fitness, are wonderful and it’s all to be had right in downtown Troy. Each year they host a Choreo Ball, usually held in The Arts Center for the Capital Region. Also each year, the group thinks… more
Collaborative Approach Meets Needs Best The focus of Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services Program is on creating a welcoming, safe space for all who need help in ending dating and domestic abuse. Their services are free, confidential, and voluntary. The team does amazing, often life-saving work due, in part, to their collaborative approach. It is… more
Kicking off Awareness Month with free block party that honors community collaboration October is Domestic Violence awareness month. Among other outreach events, the Unity House Domestic Violence Services program will host a Community Block Party. This free event will take place on Saturday, October 9th on Union Street in Troy, NY. Union Street is adjacent… more
People who help make life better Totia Harris always knew she wanted to help people, she just wasn’t sure how that would take shape. It was as a student at Russel Sage that she first connected with Unity House and found where she could make an impact. As part of her research for a… more
Now more than ever, access to help is key WRGB’s Liz Bishop speaks about the importance of help for victims of domestic violence, who may experience greater stress during the holidays. Of course, everything seems to be made more extreme by the pandemic and the economic fallout caused by it. You can read and hear… more
Abuse of animals seen as bridge crime Perhaps you are familiar with the link: people who harm animals are more likely to harm people. In the case of beloved pets in households where there is domestic violence, the link is very personal. Abusers can use the threat of harm to a pet as leverage to… more