Helping Hands Against Violence Expands Education Efforts While Offering Lifeline for Survivors
By Joshuah Albert
Hood River, Ore., June 11, 2026 — Helping Hands Against Violence is working toward an ambitious goal: putting itself out of business.
For Prevention Educator Meg Heartly, who recently joined the organization, success would mean a future where no one needs to flee domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Until then, the nonprofit continues providing emergency shelter, crisis intervention, advocacy and prevention education throughout the Columbia Gorge.
During a recent CCC News podcast interview, Heartly said the organization serves survivors from Hood River County and beyond, including neighboring communities such as The Dalles and, in some cases, people from outside Oregon seeking safety.
One of the organization's most critical resources is its confidential emergency shelter in Hood River, which can house up to six families — approximately 14 people — at a time. Families are provided with private rooms along with shared community spaces, weekly food deliveries, clothing, toiletries, and other necessities for people who often arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing.
While initially designed as a 60-day shelter, stays are often extended because of the difficulty many survivors face in securing permanent housing. Staff work with residents to establish goals while trying to remove barriers that might otherwise force them back into unsafe situations.
Beyond shelter, Helping Hands Against Violence operates a 24-hour crisis line, provides transportation, offers bilingual advocacy and Spanish-language assistance with legal documents, and helps survivors connect with community resources and temporary lodging when needed. The organization also emphasizes confidentiality through advocate privilege protections, allowing survivors to speak freely without their information being disclosed unless they authorize it.
Heartly's primary focus is prevention through education.
She visits schools, colleges and community organizations to teach about healthy relationships, dating violence and sexual assault, believing that early conversations can help prevent abuse before it begins.
"We want everyone to be aware so that maybe we can put ourselves out of business," she said during the interview.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on recognizing unhealthy relationship dynamics, particularly gaslighting and coercive control.
Heartly encouraged people to trust concerns about their relationships and seek guidance if something feels wrong, noting that many abusive behaviors become normalized through childhood experiences or manipulation.
"If your intuition is telling you that it's off, give us a call," she said, emphasizing that people don't have to navigate those questions alone.
She also offered advice for supporting survivors: believe them, ask what they need instead of making assumptions, and continue checking in because healing often takes time.
"The really important piece that I always try to say is just as simple as believing them," she said.
The conversation also highlighted consent as an ongoing process rather than a one-time agreement. Heartly described consent as something that must be freely given, specific to each situation and capable of being withdrawn at any time, even within committed relationships or marriage. She recommended the widely shared "Tea Consent" educational video as an accessible way to understand the concept.
Healthy relationships, she said, are rooted in mutual respect, curiosity and support rather than control.
"Real love is respect," Heartly said, encouraging people to look for partners who celebrate each other's independence and work together as teammates instead of seeking power over one another.
As Helping Hands Against Violence continues expanding its prevention outreach, the organization is also asking for community support. It accepts donations of clothing, new undergarments, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and monetary contributions, while also welcoming volunteers willing to help with everything from maintenance projects to educational outreach. Regular monthly donors, even at modest amounts, help provide stability for the nonprofit's services.
Those interested in supporting the organization or requesting educational presentations can contact Helping Hands Against Violence directly through its website or connect with staff at community events throughout the Gorge, including farmers’ markets and local outreach activities.
Contacting Helping Hands
OFFICE: Contact our office anytime between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
541-386-4808
HOTLINE: The Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If you need shelter or just to talk to someone, please call 541-386-6603.
EMAIL: advocate@helpinghandsoregon.org
POSTAL MAIL:
Helping Hands Against Violence
PO Box 441
Hood River, OR 97031
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