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Providing a hand up to families made homeless due to domestic violence.

A Message From Our Founder

To say 2022 has been a whirlwind of a year would be an understatement. Thanks to you and the corporate and the foundation support we received, it has been The Bernie House’s most successful year yet. On behalf of the staff of volunteers, myself, and the families we help day in and day out, we can’t thank you enough.

Although we are still short $14,000.00 of the goal we had hoped to raise by this year’s end, there is still a few days left that we might be able to close the gap. I’m very hopeful this will happen.

I heard this saying many years ago that I’ve never forgotten, “your life is not measured by the number of people you know but rather by the number of people whose lives you’ve actually touched.”

Every donor, every sponsor, every Ambassador, every friend, and supporter of The Bernie House can proudly know that they have touched and changed life for the better for more than 23 victims of domestic violence. In fact, through your support of Bernie House, you’ve not only touched lives – you have literally saved lives – and broken the cycle of the next generation of domestic violence in the children who’ve learned what a happy, loving home can be like. Many of our current and past families are the first in their family to attend college, the first to own a home, and the first to start and own their own businesses.

What an intangible, invaluable gift you have given each of the families who have had the privilege of living in one of our Bernie House homes.

Shelters just cannot do all that The Bernie House offers survivors and their families. The Bernie House is the missing link – the link that empowers them to achieve their highest potential. This is why our program is so important. And I am grateful every single day for your support and that you share our mission and vision.

I can’t help but worry that after the successful grant year we’ve had this year, we will not be able to find all the dollars needed to sustain and expand our program in 2023. Raising funds is never easy, especially with limited resources and staff.

Government officials and those who deal day in and day out with horrendous cases of domestic violence constantly ask The Bernie House to add another home to our program. Why? Because The Bernie House has over an 80% success rate of families moving on to lead successful, fulfilled lives. Not very many local non-profits can claim such a great track record.

But many don’t have the dedicated and committed volunteers and supporters we have at The Bernie House.

As we begin planning for 2023, it is always a challenge to know how much money we will have to work within the new year. And it is vital we hit the ground running in January.

This also becomes important because as I talk to and approach corporations and foundations requesting their financial support, they always ask how much community support we have for our programs. It has always helped that I have been able to share the generous financial support we get from friends like you. It DOES make a difference in their decision.

So, as you and your loved ones gather this holiday season, I hope that you will consider an extra special year-end tax-deductible donation to The Bernie House so that we can begin 2023 with a great start!

EVERY SINGLE DONATION – NO MATTER THE SIZE – is deeply appreciated and as you know, we will put your hard-earned dollars to work helping families escape the ugly cycle of domestic violence.

We give them a helping hand in their desperate time of need and give them the tools and aid they require to go from victims to survivors to thrivers and become conquerors. ALL THANKS TO YOU!

Thank you for making 2022 our best year to date, and I’m sincerely hoping I can count on your continued support in 2023! Wishing you and yours a new year filled with good health, happiness, and all the blessings the world offers.

Happy holidays,
Patti
Patricia H. Slaughter Founder

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Our Mission

The Bernie House is part of the solution to those made homeless due to domestic violence. We provide survivors and their children with a longer-term transitional housing program, allowing them time to build important support structures, the opportunity to heal, and to build confidence and become financially stable.

Our mission is to provide a safe home without violence for families in crisis. This two-year program provides a genuine family environment, preparing survivors of domestic violence the next step: stability and success in permanent housing.

About Us

The Bernie House provides survivors of domestic violence and their families transitional housing and services to promote financial stability. The Bernie House allows families the necessary time to heal and build confidence as they start their transition to permanent housing. Families stay with TBH for up to two years and live in a genuine family environment. TBH provides individualized important support structures for victims to secure a job, go to school, become economically stable, and achieve a safe and healthy return to their community – all vital to their success. No longer Victims, they are Survivors – Thrivers – Conquerors!

Lives are transformed at The Bernie House. Our clients: bloom – gain self-respect again – earn their GED’s – become gainfully employed – and earn college scholarships. The quiet, insecure child: learns to laugh again – becomes happy and healthy and learns that a relationship does not have to hurt.

The family is up lifted with support from several agencies and organizations that provide counseling, job training and placement assistance, adult education, child advocacy and day care.

The adult is required to make monthly payments on utilities and a minimal program fee. All program fees collected are returned upon successful completion of the program. In addition, the family is invited to take the furnishings and items in the home. This provides a solid foundation as they move on to a more permanent house.

Ambassador Program

An ambassador is a supporter of The Bernie House that uses their social media profile to raise awareness about domestic violence, The Bernie House’s mission, and what we can do to support and raise funds for domestic violence victims in need.

Becoming an Ambassador unites your friends and family across all of social media with the meaningful mission of The Bernie House.

When you decide to become an Ambassador, we will provide links, photos, statistics, and more for you to share on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media platforms you may have.

It’s easy! We provide the content and schedule for you to share. All you have to do is post!

Your posts will be the “force behind the fierce” to provide and educate survivors!

Give

As each family moves on to their new chapter we allow them to take whatever they need for their new home. During our transitional period as we are preparing The Bernie House for the next family, we are always in need of home furnishings. Unfortunately, we do not have the space to store furniture and other household goods. Please contact us to inquire.

Other Ways to Help:

  • Serve as an event committee member.

  • Event set up, break down, and manning various posts

  • One and done! This is perfect for those who can only commit for a few hours – one time. ​

  • Become an Ambassador

    Our Stories

    “I first want to thank The Bernie House for selecting me and my family for this opportunity. For a few years all I ever wanted was just to be happy and have my own without having to worry about what someone is going to say or do to me. I no longer have to be in an uncomfortable situation. I no longer have to be abused in many ways. I am getting the help I need to be the best mom and person I can possibly be. I am growing to love myself and trying to actual smile now. I come home to my own space. My daughter finally sees her mom strong, independent, loving, caring and with a smile everyday she is with me. I honestly don’t know where I would be without the help and support of you all. I am forever grateful, blessed and humble to have amazing people like you in our lives. 💕”

    D&J01/01/2021

    “Without The Bernie House and its generous staff, we wouldn’t have been where we are today. I don’t only have a roof over my head and food to eat but I have something I never had before…Peace of mind, feeling safe, and finally living life as a normal girl. Words really do fall short when it comes to conveying my gratitude. I am certain of one thing, that my journey with The Bernie House will not end at any point. So I will always remain apart of this beautiful house and its members.’”

    Mina, Former Resident

    “Living at The Bernie House was one of the greatest things that has happened in my life. They helped and supported me with any and everything I needed. I was able to go to classes and earn my G.E.D. and find employment. I have happy, healthy kids, a job I love, and my own safe place to stay. I hope that The Bernie House will be around forever, to help women like me, who at one point had no hope left. They give you the hope back and the opportunity to achieve things you never thought were possible.”

    Nicole, Former Resident

    Other Ways to Help

    Matching Gifts – Multiply the Impact of Your Donation

    When submitting your gift through your company’s electronic portal or if your company uses paper form you may need the following information:
    EIN: 23-7237295
    Contact information / mailing address:
    PO Box 4622
    Annapolis, MD 21403
    phone 443-951-5193
    info@theberniehouse.org

    Amazon Smile Program

    Anytime throughout the year you can support The Bernie House when shopping through the Amazon Smile program.
    When you make a purchase, Amazon will donate 5% of your purchase price to The Bernie House.
    It’s simple, just choose The Bernie House to support.
    Please feel free to share with all your friends!

    Events

    Highlights of Our June 2023 Golf Event