National Advocacy & Training Network

The Support, Education, Empowerment & DirectionS (SEEDs) program is a project of the National Advocacy & Training Network. SEEDs was established in January, 2003 to address the unmet needs of battered and sexually abused women. The program is a community-based, safe, sober living environment committed to the physical, mental, and emotional healing of women whose lives have been affected by substance abuse and violence.

The Marilyn and Diane residences, located in Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, provide women with a bridge from residential/institutional programs to independent living. The environment is designed to reflect real life, providing a near-independent living setting within a structured framework, sharing chores, cooking, and utilizing each other for support through house meetings. To help strengthen self-esteem, self-direction and dignity, the advocates, volunteers, and mentors provide support services and assist the women in prioritizing goals. Many women build long-term friendships, stay connected, and return as volunteers

The women can

• receive individual advocacy as well as attend weekly house meetings, recovery and support groups
• remain in the house for up to two years while they seek permanent housing
• complete education and/or job training
• learn money management skills
• regain custody of their children
• become secure in their emotional recovery
• maintain sobriety and establish support networks.

SEEDs collaborates with government and existing community based services, utilizing all the necessary resources to assist the women in accomplishing their goals, staying safe and maintaining their sobriety.

For more information, referral, or an application call:
(602)791-3452

	Beginning January, 2009, we will feature stories of survivors who have gone through the SEEDs program or a supporters of SEEDs who have a passion for what we do to make the world a little bit better, one person at a time. If there is someone special you would like to refer as a SEEDs story, please let us know. Stories are added periodically.