Aware Shelter

What Aware Shelter does

AWARE, Inc., operating as Aware Shelter, is a Michigan-incorporated nonprofit organization founded in 1969 (active service began December 1977) that provides free, confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Jackson County, Michigan. Its core service portfolio spans eight integrated lines: a 24-hour crisis helpline, free emergency shelter at 706 W. Michigan Avenue, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) providing hospital accompaniment and forensic exam support, trauma-informed counseling including EMDR therapy, courthouse-based legal advocacy (Personal Protection Orders, court accompaniment), a Youth Crew program for secondary survivors, safety planning resources, and community referrals. AWARE is the sole emergency shelter operator for domestic and sexual violence survivors in Jackson County and served 114 adults and 66 children with 5,286 shelter nights in 2023, alongside 553 counseling sessions, 187 court/medical accompaniments, and 958 helpline contacts.

The organization operates a service-delivery business model rather than a revenue-generation model: all survivor-facing services are provided at no cost, and the operating budget is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, foundation and corporate grants (e.g., Consumers Energy Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation), annual fundraising events (Kentucky Derby Party, Men Who Cook, Pickleball for a Purpose, Charcuterie Workshop), merchandise sales via Bonfire, and a planned-giving Legacy Society program. Go-to-market is community-led: survivors reach AWARE through the 24-hour hotline, walk-ins at the courthouse advocacy office, hospital-based SART activation, and referrals from law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, and social service agencies. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its technology footprint is limited to a content website, social media presence (Facebook, Instagram), and email newsletter. AWARE is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing local institutions (Center for Family Health, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Bond & Company, Flagstar Bank, Consumers Energy, Cooper Street Correctional Facility) and led by Executive Director Christi O'Neil, Deputy Director SeQuita Brown, and Board President Terry Langston, following Executive Director Angelita Gunn's June 2024 departure after nine years of service.

Name

Aware Shelter

Legal name

AWARE, Inc.

Website

https://awareshelter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AWARE, Inc. is a Jackson, Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 1977 providing free emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, sexual assault response, and 24-hour crisis support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Jackson County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Sexual assault response
• Emergency shelter services
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Crisis intervention

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Financial contributions from individual donors supporting shelter operations, crisis services, and survivor assistance programs. Recurring donation options available.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grant funding from organizations such as Consumers Energy Foundation ($5,000 emergency shelter grant) supporting operating expenses and specific program services.
3. Event Revenue: Fundraising events including ticket sales, silent auctions, and sponsorships generate revenue for survivor services. Events include Kentucky Derby Party, Men Who Cook, and Pickleball for a Purpose.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies through Bonfire online store, with proceeds supporting programs and services.
5. Planned Giving and Estate Donations: Legacy Society program accepting stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and beneficiary designations in wills or life insurance policies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AWARE, Inc. provides free, confidential crisis and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Jackson County, Michigan. Its core offerings include emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis helpline, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) accompaniment, trauma-informed counseling, legal advocacy for Personal Protection Orders and court support, youth secondary survivor services, and personalized safety planning. All services are delivered at no cost to survivors and are coordinated through a single nonprofit organizational structure.

Product overview

Aware Shelter operates as a nonprofit social services organization offering a unified portfolio of crisis and support services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The core service offerings include Emergency Shelter, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Counseling Services, Legal Advocacy, Secondary Survivors Services (Youth Crew), Community Resources, Safety Planning, and a 24-Hour Helpline. These services are coordinated through a single organizational structure with fund development and community events supporting operational capacity. The organization is the only service provider in Jackson County operating an emergency shelter and providing the complete continuum of services including counseling, legal/medical/housing advocacy, and a 24-hour helpline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter Free, secure emergency shelter for survivors of domestic and sexual violence providing safe haven for individuals and families at 706 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI. Residents receive food, cleaning supplies, bedding, hygiene items, personalized safety planning, and access to the organization's other services. Pet care is coordinated through Cascades Humane Society partnership.
• Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Multi-disciplinary team providing immediate advocacy, safety planning, case management, hospital accompaniment for forensic exams, and access to free confidential counseling for survivors of sexual assault. Uses a victim-centered and offender-focused approach.
• Counseling Services Free, supportive, short-term counseling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence using EMDR therapy and other trauma-informed techniques. Delivered through one-on-one and group counseling sessions; appointments scheduled via phone or [email protected].
• Legal Advocacy Services Free assistance with Personal Protection Orders, court accompaniment, criminal hearing support, and navigation of the civil and criminal justice system for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Delivered at the Jackson County Courthouse (312 S. Jackson Street) on a walk-in or appointment basis, Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Secondary Survivors Services (Youth Crew) Free support services for youth who have witnessed or experienced trauma from domestic violence, including a peer support group called Youth Crew, creative activities, child advocacy, and assistance with school enrollment and transportation.
• Community Resources Directory Curated directory of local and national organizations providing free confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, legal aid, mental health services, and advocacy programs available 24/7 to survivors and their families.
• Safety Planning Personalized safety planning resources covering safety at home, school, work, online, and daily life, including digital safety, teen safety, and support guidance for families and friends of survivors.
• 24-Hour Helpline Free, round-the-clock crisis support hotline at (517) 783-2861 providing immediate assistance, safety planning, and service referrals to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Jackson County. Connects callers to additional national resources including the National Domestic Violence Hotline and RAINN.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,286 nights of shelter provided to 114 adults and 66 children in 2023 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cascades Humane SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partnership for temporary foster care of survivor pets during shelter stays. While pets cannot stay in the shelter facility, AWARE coordinates with Cascades Humane Society to ensure survivors' companion animals are cared for while they access emergency shelter services.
• Baker CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus Day event partnership for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. AWARE sexual assault advocates host community table events at Baker College to raise awareness and provide resources to students.
• love is respectminorOthersNational organization providing teen dating violence resources. AWARE references loveisrespect.org resources for teens and promotes the organization's healthy relationships messaging during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)minorOthersNational resource center whose research and messaging AWARE uses for Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaigns. References NSVRC guidance on community-level prevention and awareness themes.
• Henry Ford Jackson HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSART training venue partner. Hosted in-person Sexual Assault DNA Evidence Collection training at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital (Anderson Building). Key partner in Sexual Assault Response Team multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Office for Victims of Crime Training and Assistance CenterminorOthersFederal training organization providing SART training curriculum. Led by Sharlotta Sharp and D'Michelle DuPre. Training covers DNA evidence collection, trauma-informed services, and criminal justice process responsibilities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): National anti-sexual-violence organization operating the National Sexual Assault Hotline and supporting local SART-style response, directly comparable to AWARE's SART and sexual assault services.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: National 24/7 crisis hotline and referral service for DV survivors, directly comparable to AWARE's helpline and resource-navigation functions.
• Haven of Rest Ministries: Michigan-based shelter and support services provider for DV survivors with comparable emergency shelter and counseling offerings.

Regional players

• Turning Point, Inc. Mount Pleasant, MI-based DV/SA services agency with shelter, counseling, and advocacy programs mirroring AWARE's integrated service model.
• SafeHouse Center: Washtenaw County, MI-based DV/SA shelter and advocacy organization with a comparable service continuum (shelter, counseling, legal advocacy) in an adjacent Michigan county.
• YWCA Central Michigan: Regional YWCA chapter operating DV/SA shelter and advocacy services in central Michigan, directly comparable in mission and service mix.

Others

• loveisrespect: National teen dating violence resource referenced by AWARE for youth-focused outreach and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month programming.
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): National resource partner cited by AWARE for awareness campaign content and best-practice guidance on sexual violence prevention.

Broad incumbents

• Safe Horizon: Largest nonprofit victim-services organization in the U.S., operating shelters, hotlines, and counseling programs similar to AWARE's portfolio.
• Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence: Statewide umbrella organization providing training, policy advocacy, and funding coordination for Michigan DV/SA service providers like AWARE.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/awareinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/awareshelter
• Xx.com/MuthPrincipal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aware Shelter