Single Parents Rock CEO Denise Henton was interviewed by the Dayton Daily News. In the published article she said that she "has seen an increase in people coming to her nonprofit more frequently since its Englewood office opened in 2019. Part of this is because of efforts by her group to raise awareness of its services, but the need for domestic violence services in the Dayton area persists."
She later added that obstacles like inflation, a lack of transportation options and lack of affordable and safe housing are adding pressure on victims to not leave dangerous situations.
“There can be a lot of judgment in these situations,” she said. “But there are so many layers to abuse. It doesn’t have to be just physical. It can be emotional, financial.”
“We help people wherever they are in their process, even if they’re not ready to leave,” Henton said.
The article explained that lacking a reliable vehicle is a huge barrier for people and their children leaving intimate partner violence. Henton’s organization can take its clients to and from court appointments and bring them to shelters within a 250-mile radius.
Henton said abusers often use isolation tactics to control their partners, cutting them off from family and other loved ones. It’s not uncommon for Henton and her small staff to hear from clients that they felt they had nowhere else to go after leaving their partners.
Single Parents Rock can also put families in hotels, as some area shelters do not accept teenage boys who may be fleeing with their mothers. Right now, her organization is paying for hotel stays for 14 families.
Her Englewood office also has a pantry with formula, diapers, baby clothing, and personal care items for their mothers. A playroom is also set up in the office to allow children a space to play while their parents sit in support groups, and next year, Single Parents Rock will begin to have a part-time counselor to help clients.
Henton said her organization wants to empower people to make choices for themselves and their families.
“We want them to know that they’re not alone and that we can help them every step of the way,” she said.