United Against Violence: Building Safe Homes and Stronger Futures in Muskegon County
For too many in Muskegon County, home isn’t the safe haven it should be. In 2022 alone (the most recent report), there were 1,311 reported incidents of domestic violence across the county, up from 1,143 the year before. More than half of those cases (51%) resulted in injuries. Behind every statistic is a neighbor, a child, a coworker — someone carrying wounds both seen and unseen.
Across Michigan, experts say the overall number of domestic violence reports has declined slightly, but the abuse itself has become more severe — “more lethal and more cruel.” In Muskegon, law enforcement leaders have noted an uptick in violent calls, prompting a county-wide task force to address rising crime.
The Cost of Violence
Domestic violence doesn’t just harm individuals. It reverberates through families, workplaces, and communities. In Muskegon County, residents report higher-than-average rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including witnessing or experiencing abuse as children. These early traumas increase the likelihood of experiencing violence later in life, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
Economic abuse compounds the problem. According to Every Woman’s Place, 98% of survivors also face financial abuse — from destroyed credit to blocked employment opportunities. This makes it even harder for families, particularly ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), to meet basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare.
Hope in Action:
Breaking these cycles takes a community. United Way of the Lakeshore invests in and connects a network of agencies that provide both immediate safety and long-term pathways to healing: Every Woman’s Place, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and The Hope Project. Volunteers and advocates are also essential to this work — whether it’s mentoring children, supporting agency drives, or using your voice to push for safer communities, every action adds up.
Every Woman’s Place: A Safe Shelter and Fresh Start
Every Woman’s Place (EWP) operates Muskegon County’s only emergency domestic violence shelter, offering 20 beds for survivors and their children. Residents find more than a roof overhead — they receive food, clothing, counseling, legal advocacy, and support with employment and housing.
The average stay is 45 days, but the journey toward safety and self-sufficiency continues long after. One mother, fleeing an abusive marriage, entered the shelter with her two children. Though her teenager struggled with self-harm, she kept them in school while also focusing on her own healing. With the support of advocates, she stabilized her mental health, secured a divorce, and worked with Legal Aid of Western Michigan to access financial resources. After eleven years of isolation and control, she reclaimed her confidence. “Survivors are empowered with choices,” EWP staff share. “We meet each person where they are and walk with them toward safety.”
Legal Aid of Western Michigan: Where Legal Support Meets Safety
Leaving an abusive situation often means navigating the court system, securing personal protection orders, filing for divorce, pursuing custody, or defending against an abuser’s legal retaliation. For survivors already stretched thin, these steps can feel overwhelming or even impossible.
That’s where Legal Aid of Western Michigan steps in. Their attorneys provide free civil legal services to survivors of domestic violence, ensuring they aren’t forced to face the legal system alone. From representing parents in custody battles to helping survivors escape economic abuse, Legal Aid makes justice accessible to families who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
For survivors, legal aid wasn’t just paperwork — it was the foundation for safety, financial independence, and peace of mind.
Children’s Advocacy Center: Healing for the Youngest Survivors
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) offers a child-friendly, safe place where young survivors can begin to heal. Forensic interviews, specialized medical exams, counseling, and advocacy are all provided under one roof, reducing the trauma of having to retell their story multiple times.
Six-year-old “Annie” came to the CAC after her stepfather began abusing her. At first, she was terrified to tell anyone what had happened. But a caring interviewer assured her she was safe, and that nothing she said would shock or embarrass them. With gentle encouragement, Annie shared the truth. Her mother, Melissa, remembers: “When we left, I knew Annie and I had a long road ahead, but I felt we had the support of the CAC behind us. They gave us hope when we had none.”
By coordinating with law enforcement, CPS, healthcare providers, and the prosecutor’s office, CAC ensures that Annie, and hundreds of children like her each year, are protected, heard, and given the opportunity to heal.
The Hope Project: Breaking the Chains of Trafficking
Domestic violence and human trafficking often intersect, with survivors trapped by coercion, poverty, or lack of safe housing. The Hope Project is Muskegon’s specialized response to sex trafficking, offering transitional housing, trauma-informed therapy, and long-term advocacy.
One client, “JD,” had been trafficked and sexually assaulted before spending time in prison. After release, she entered The Hope Project’s Rays of Hope transitional housing program. With steady therapy, support groups, and mentorship, she gained employment and eventually became a manager at her workplace. Today, JD says she has not only survived but reclaimed her ability to dream about the future: “The Hope Project isn’t just an advocate or mentor. They are family. They helped me walk in healing.”
Standing United for Safer Futures
Together, these agencies reflect a full continuum of care: crisis shelter for survivors in danger, protection and healing for children, legal advocacy for lasting safety, and restoration for those trafficked and exploited. United Way of the Lakeshore plays a vital role in connecting, funding, and strengthening these services — and we can’t do it alone.
When you volunteer your time, donate resources, or advocate for stronger protections, you help build a community where everyone can feel safe in their own home. Domestic violence is complex, but Muskegon County is responding with compassion, coordination, and courage.
As one advocate shared: “No one should have to face abuse alone. Here in Muskegon County, we believe in creating safe homes, safe communities, and safe futures — together.”
Get Involved:
Volunteer with United Way and our partner agencies.
Support survivors by giving to United Way of the Lakeshore.
Advocate for safer communities and stronger protections.
Need help?
24-hour Crisis Line: (231) 722-3333
Text Line: (231) 468-6060 (Weekdays 9 AM–8 PM