F.A.R.A.H Community House Association is dedicated to empowering Farsi-speaking women who have experienced domestic violence by providing a safe, supportive, and culturally accessible environment. This strategic plan outlines our key priorities and initiatives for the next three to five years, building upon our foundational commitment to fostering healing, education, and empowerment. It represents a roadmap for growth, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of the community we serve and maximize our impact. The core of our strategic plan focuses on creating a comprehensive structure that supports not only the immediate needs of survivors, but also works proactively to prevent domestic violence and promote long-term wellbeing.
A core element of F.A.R.A.H.’s mission is providing safe, transitional housing for Farsi-speaking women and their children escaping domestic violence. This priority focuses on expanding the capacity and enhancing the quality of our shared transition house. Our current residency policy allows for stays of up to six months, and during this time, women receive comprehensive support. However, the demand for safe housing often exceeds our current capacity. Therefore, we plan to explore various avenues to increase the number of individuals we can accommodate. This may include securing additional properties, expanding our existing facility, or developing partnerships with other housing providers who can offer culturally sensitive services.
Furthermore, we intend to conduct a thorough review of our current housing model to identify areas for improvement. This review will include gathering feedback from current and former residents, as well as consulting with experts in trauma-informed care and housing support. We will explore incorporating best practices in transitional housing design, creating spaces that are not only safe and secure but also promote healing and a sense of community. We also plan to look into additional resources residents that will leave our safe housing will be able to use in the future.
F.A.R.A.H. recognizes that the needs of Farsi-speaking women are unique and require culturally sensitive approaches. This priority focuses on strengthening and expanding the range of support services we offer, ensuring they are tailored to the specific cultural and linguistic needs of our clients. This includes expanding our current counseling services to incorporate a wider range of therapeutic modalities, such as group therapy, art therapy, and trauma-informed yoga. We aim to recruit and train more bilingual and bicultural counselors who have a deep understanding of the cultural nuances that impact the experience of domestic violence within the Farsi-speaking community.
In addition to counseling, we will enhance our legal resource connections. This means not only providing referrals to legal aid organizations but also developing workshops and information sessions that explain legal rights and processes in a clear and accessible manner, specifically addressing issues related to immigration, housing, employment, and family law. We will also work to establish stronger partnerships with legal professionals who are fluent in Farsi and familiar with the challenges faced by immigrant and refugee women. This will help provide support and assistance to our users.
Beyond legal and counseling services, we plan to develop programming focused on life skills development, financial literacy, and job readiness training. These programs will be designed to empower women to achieve financial independence and build self-sufficiency, reducing their vulnerability to future violence. We will also explore offering childcare support during program hours to ensure that mothers can fully participate.
Preventing domestic violence requires raising awareness and fostering a culture of respect and equality. This priority centers on expanding our outreach program, “F.A.R.A.H Voices: Breaking the Silence,” to reach a broader audience within the Farsi-speaking community and beyond. We will utilize a multi-pronged approach, including workshops, community events, social media campaigns, and partnerships with local Farsi-language media outlets. The goal is to break down the stigma associated with domestic violence, encourage open dialogue, and provide information about available resources.
We will also develop targeted educational materials in Farsi that address the specific cultural factors that may contribute to or exacerbate domestic violence. These materials will be distributed through various channels, including community centers, mosques, and Farsi-speaking businesses. Furthermore, we will work to engage men and boys in the conversation, promoting healthy relationship dynamics and challenging harmful gender stereotypes. We plan to organize workshops and discussions specifically for men, creating a safe space for them to learn about the impact of domestic violence and become allies in prevention efforts.
To achieve our ambitious goals, F.A.R.A.H. needs to strengthen its organizational capacity and ensure long-term financial sustainability. This priority focuses on diversifying our funding sources, enhancing our volunteer program, and investing in staff development. We will actively seek grants from foundations, government agencies, and corporations that align with our mission. We will also develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy that includes individual giving campaigns, major donor cultivation, and planned giving opportunities.
Our volunteers are invaluable to our work, and we will invest in strengthening our volunteer program. This includes developing a more structured recruitment and training process, providing ongoing support and recognition to volunteers, and creating opportunities for volunteers to contribute their skills and expertise in meaningful ways. Furthermore, we will invest in professional development for our staff, providing training in areas such as trauma-informed care, cultural competency, fundraising, and nonprofit management. This will ensure that our staff has the skills and knowledge they need to effectively serve our clients and advance our mission. We will also explore implementing data collection and evaluation systems to measure the impact of our programs and services, allowing us to continuously improve and demonstrate our effectiveness to funders and stakeholders.
While providing direct services is crucial, F.A.R.A.H. also recognizes the importance of advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of domestic violence and support survivors. This involves working to overcome the cultural barriers that our users may face. This priority involves actively participating in policy advocacy efforts at the local, provincial, and national levels. We will collaborate with other organizations working on issues related to domestic violence, gender equality, and immigrant and refugee rights to amplify our collective voice and influence policy decisions.
Specifically, we will advocate for policies that increase access to affordable housing, affordable childcare, culturally sensitive services, and legal aid for survivors of domestic violence. We will also work to raise awareness among policymakers and the general public about the unique challenges faced by Farsi-speaking women and the need for culturally appropriate support services. This advocacy work will be informed by the lived experiences of our clients and grounded in a commitment to social justice and equity.
As part of our commitment to providing a safe and supportive space for individuals experiencing domestic violence, we propose implementing an “Escape” button on the website. This button should be easily accessible, located at the top-right corner of the page, and designed for quick action.
Our mission is to offer a culturally accessible transition house for Farsi-speaking women who have experienced domestic violence. We bridge cultural gaps to ensure access to essential support services, fostering a safe space for women to rebuild their lives with strength and success.
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