"I left an abusive marriage and moved into ASTEH with my child. For the first time in many years, I slept without fear. My social worker from the Jewish social service agency and the volunteers from JWIC supported me on a daily basis. They gave me the confidence to begin to plan for the rest of my life."

What is ASTEH?

• Alternative Short Term Emergency Housing is a community based kosher housing facility available to Jewish abused women and their children.
• Provides safety, autonomy, anonymity and support to the abused woman and her children.
• Is located in a regular apartment building.
• Is operated in partnership by JWIC and the local Jewish social service agency. JWIC provides a core of screened and trained volunteers who act as friendly visitors and supporters to the abused woman while living in the facility; the local social service agency provides the clinical therapy and support.

What is ASTEH’S purpose?

• Is an alternative to a public shelter for abused women.
• Is a second stage housing option for women who have spent the maximum amount of time in another shelter.
• Is a safe house in a community distant from one’s own.
• Provides an abused woman and her children a safe, secure, supportive environment in which to plan for the future.

Someone you know has been abused. One in four women – including Jewish women – will experience abuse at least once in her lifetime.

For immediate assistance, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7223.