PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)– Neisha Himes is a survivor of domestic violence and now spends her time working tirelessly as an advocate against abuse.

This week she’s planning an ice cream giveaway.

“I just remember when I was young and running to the ice cream truck with my sisters,” she said.

Himes founded the Girls Recognizing Our Worth (or G.R.O.W) foundation. It is a nonprofit geared toward helping victims of domestic violence escape.

The team of advocates wants to help hundreds of families create a few happy memories this summer by visiting seven emergency shelters with free ice cream and snow cones. This is the third year for the ice cream giveaway; last year was canceled because of the pandemic.

“These are times of uncertainty. It’s overwhelming, it’s a lot going on. We wanted to provide a sense of normalcy and a good memory” explained Himes. “You have these children who are living with other families that they do not know. It’s not like they can go home and go into their own room. Home isn’t safe, so know we’re in a place where they are safe from that danger but it’s still scary because you don’t know when you’re going to get out.”

Each shelter has about 50 to 80 people. The groups will meet at an undisclosed location, for safety reasons.

The dates:

  • Genieve Shelter & H.E.R Shelter: 7/10
  • Transitions Family Violence Services: 7/23
  • YWCA South Hampton Roads: 8/28
  • Samaritan House: TBD
  • Avalon Center: TBD
  • ForKids: TBD

G.R.O.W will continue to work with survivors of abuse as they rebuild their lives.

“Whether you’re in a shelter right now and just want to see your kids run to get some ice cream or you’re out of the shelter and you’re just trying to learn how to pick your head up,” she said.

Her organization will offer help with safety planning and a support group known as the GROWing fighters.

“It’s literally, for me, about empowering survivors from the beginning until that final step in their healing journey,” she said.

The G.R.O.W foundation is accepting donations of any kind for the ice cream giveaway.

If you would like to donate email info@growfoundationva.org or visit growfoundationva.org/donate-sponsor/.

Avalon Center in Williamsburg

Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence

  • Hotline number: 757-787-1329
  • Offers: emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, individual counseling, safety planning, children’s services, legal advocacy, accompaniment during hospital visits and court appearances and support groups to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • Website: escadv.org

Samaritan House Inc. in Virginia Beach

  • Phone: 757-631-0710
  • Offers counseling, emergency shelter placement and safety planning.
  • 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-430-2120

H.E.R. Shelter in Portsmouth

The Genieve Shelter in Suffolk

  • Phone: 757-925-4365
  • Offers emergency shelter and crisis services.
  • Crisis Hotline 757-705-2025 or 757-353-1439
  • Contáctanos para ayuda inmediata 1-800-969-4673
  • Website: thegenieveshelter.org

Transitions Family Violence Services in Hampton

  • Phone: 757-722-2261
  • Offers emergency shelter, crisis services, court advocacy, and counseling.
  • 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-723-7774
  • Website: transitionsfvs.org

YWCA South Hampton Roads in Norfolk

  • Phone: 757-625-4248
  • Offers emergency shelter and crisis services.
  • 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-251-0144
  • Website: ywca-shr.org

National Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline: 1-888-3737-888.  

Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force: 757-430-2120

Blue Campaign to bring an end to Human Trafficking

Prevent Child Abuse America – Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others.

Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. For more information on preventing child abuse and neglect check out resources from the CDC, or call The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for help.

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