For an abusive partner or parent, breaking the painful cycle can be isolating. But at the YWCA, the Family Violence Protection Program is helping parents mend their relationships with their children, an hour or two at a time.
Through a supervised visitation program, non-custodial parents have the chance to see their children in the safe environment of the YWCA. Non-custodial parents arrive at times separate from guardians, so there is no contact made between them.
"It allows someone who's made a mistake have a good visit with their child," said Debbie Wood, director of the Family Violence Protection Program at YWCA. Monitors sit in on visits to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Visitation director Cheryl Maltese said the program's priority is the best interest of the child, but monitors also strive to make parents comfortable interacting with their children.
"We do encourage things they do in there (like hugging or playing), but as monitor, it's not our job to judge parenting skills in any way," Maltese said.
Monitors also meet with non-custodial parents ahead of time to fill out forms and get to know one another. Building respect between monitor and parent helps visitation meetings go smoother and makes parents more comfortable with the arrangement.
A few weeks ago, Chris Kitchen became a monitor, and his presence has already made some fathers more comfortable about visits at the YWCA.
"It is uncomfortable for a male to come into a 'matriarchal society,' so to speak," Kitchen said. "I've already had a few fathers tell me, 'I'm so glad you're here.'"
Kitchen said he hopes his involvement in the program can help reforming mothers as well as fathers, but he wants abusive or negligent fathers to know they can still change and maintain a presence in their children's lives.
"You're not a wimp to be a good father," Kitchen said. Visitation programs in Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties currently serve 22 families. Visits are available seven days a week, including on evenings and weekends. Visits are court-ordered and referred to the YWCA. For more information about about the visitation program, call Maltese at 304-232-2748.