Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
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TESSA is a nonprofit organization that provides support and safety to individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. Our services include a 24/7 Safeline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, case management, housing assistance, and prevention education.
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TESSA serves all survivors: women, men, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals, regardless of age, income, immigration status, or background.
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No. TESSA’s services are offered at no cost or on a sliding scale when necessary. We believe safety and support should be accessible to all.
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Yes. TESSA is a confidential victim advocacy organization. We do not share your information without your written consent.
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No. You do not need a police report or formal documentation to access any of TESSA’s services.
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TESSA serves El Paso, Teller, Douglas, counties as well as 4th and 23rd judicial districts.
Getting Help
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Call our 24/7 Safeline at (719) 633-3819. You can also walk into our main office during business hours, utilize Safe Chat, or fill out a contact form on our website.
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You’ll speak with a trained advocate who will listen, help assess your safety, and connect you with resources. Your call is confidential, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
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Yes. Our main office is open Monday–Thursday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to noon. Advocates are available to provide support and help you access services.
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That’s okay. Many survivors are unsure. Our advocates can help you explore what’s happening in your relationship and discuss your options without judgment.
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Yes. We have bilingual staff and interpretation services available to support non-English speakers.
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TESSA serves El Paso and Teller Counties and is now expanding services into Douglas County.
Safehouse & Housing
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To begin the process, call our 24/7 Safeline at (719) 633-3819. You’ll speak confidentially with an advocate who will assess your situation and help determine if Safehouse placement is the best fit based on safety and risk factors. Clients can also visit our main office during business hours to speak with an advocate in person. If Safehouse placement isn’t appropriate, we’ll work with you to explore other safe options and services.
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TESSA’s Safehouse is reserved for those in immediate danger. Placement is based on a safety and lethality assessment to ensure those most at risk receive priority access.
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Stays vary based on each survivor’s needs. Our advocates work with residents to create a plan toward long-term stability.
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Bring any essential items you can safely gather: medications, important documents, clothing, and items for children. If you’re unsure, just come as you are and we’ll help with the rest.
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Yes. TESSA’s Housing Program helps survivors transition to stable, long-term housing and provides support like case management, rental assistance, and community referrals.
Children & Teen’s Services
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TESSA offers support programs for children and teens, including case management, prevention education, and special events.
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Yes. Our youth outreach and prevention team provides age-appropriate presentations for students from elementary through high school.
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Yes. We offer education and youth-specific advocacy for teens impacted by abuse or relationship violence.
Clinical Services
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We offer individual and group tailored for adults who have experienced trauma from abuse.
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We do not offer therapy for children at this time, but we can provide referrals to providers in the community who do.
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Call our main office or visit our website to schedule an intake with our Clinical Services team.
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Yes. TESSA employs both licensed and supervised pre-licensed clinicians, including trained interns from graduate-level clinical programs.
Legal Services
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Yes. Our legal advocates can assist you with completing the paperwork and may be able to accompany you to court.
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No, but legal representation may be helpful. TESSA’s Legal Services Program can help with protection orders and some family law issues. We also offer referrals to legal aid when needed.
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In some cases, yes. TESSA’s Legal Services team focuses on helping survivors navigate domestic relations issues related to safety and abuse.
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TESSA’s legal advocacy and support services are free. Some legal representation may involve additional resources, which we work to connect you with.
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Visit our Invite Tessa to Speak page on the website to submit a form for school or community-based outreach.
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We cover topics including healthy relationships, consent, abuse prevention, bystander intervention, and trauma-informed care.
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Yes. We regularly present to schools, churches, workplaces, and other groups interested in learning how to prevent violence and support survivors.
Community Education & Outreach
Donations & Volunteering
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You can donate online, by mail, or over the phone. Visit our Donate page to learn more.
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We accept new, unused items for clients and Safehouse residents. A current needs list is located on our In-Kind Donations page.
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Sign up for an in-person Information Session.
Complete a Volunteer Application on our website.
Contact us to learn about current opportunities, including Confidential Victim Advocacy training.
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Absolutely! We welcome all community support. Visit our Coordinate a Donation Drive page and fill out the form. Feel free to reach out to our Development Team for ideas and guidelines.
Safety & Privacy
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No. All calls, visits, and records are kept confidential. We will not share your information without your permission.
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TESSA works with community partners to provide safe options for pets when possible. Please call (719) 633-3819 to discuss available accommodations for Safehouse residents.
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We use confidential locations, safety planning, and trauma-informed practices to prioritize survivor safety at every step.
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If you suspect someone is monitoring your phone or devices, call us from a safe phone or visit in person.
435 Gold Pass Heights | Colorado Springs, CO 80906
We can help you create a safer plan for reaching out.