Amanah Shelter - Frequently Asked Questions - Social Services Foundation

Amanah Shelter - Frequently Asked Questions

As you may know, in response to the community’s need to have domestic violence resources, MAS-SSF collaborated with My Sisters House, ICNA Relief, Masjid Annur, and Al-Misbaah to open the first Muslim women’s shelter in Sacramento County that offers a variety of resources for women who are in need of a safe place as they identify the next steps to recovery and wellness in their lives. The shelter is open to all women in need of support with an emphasis on providing support based on cultural needs and providing culturally and linguistically competent support.

MAS-SSF has recently received many questions about our shelter and what the intake process and resources look like. We wanted to take a moment to answer some of the questions we most often receive below. We also invite you to email or call our office with any additional questions that we missed!

Shelter Process:

What does the intake process look like?

Someone calls the shelter contact number or expresses interest in support through email.
The receptionist will get your contact information and ask for a summary of your most urgent needs.
The team will then identify the appropriate resources for the caller and give them a callback. If they are interested in a shelter space, the shelter team will conduct a second intake and have an in-person interview with the person seeking help to evaluate the needs of the individual and to make sure they receive the correct resources.
The caller will be given resources from throughout the entire process based on need and urgency. If there is room in the shelter, it will take 2-4 days to place the individual seeking help.
Once in the house, counseling is accessible in the language of the person seeking help if requested specifically.
The individual will sit with a team member who will help create a plan unique to their situation to help them move forward with their life.

Is Everyone in the Shelter Muslim?

The team at Amanah House are from diverse backgrounds, and although they are not all Muslim, they have been trained to respect Muslim values and the variety of cultural backgrounds of our Muslim communities. All staff members maintain confidentiality and maintain a code of ethics.

Where is the shelter location?

The shelter’s location is secret and confidential to ensure the safety of all women and children within the shelter.

What happens if the shelter runs out of room?

If we don’t have room, the caller will still receive resources and support based on their unique situation. The shelter availability changes from day to day. No one will be turned away, and you will receive resources and support regardless of whether a room is available.

What if I have children? Can I still come to the shelter?

Young children are welcome to accompany their mothers in the shelter. For concerns regarding older children, please ask about age requirements when calling the shelter. Resources will be provided for all, and no one will be turned away.

Will my personal information be shared anywhere?

All information is confidential and will only be shared with the shelter team members supporting you and anyone you consent to provide resources. MAS-SSF maintains strict confidentiality for any domestic violence cases that are received.

Is this shelter encouraging women to leave their families?

The goal of the house is not to break families apart. This shelter is for women who have no place to go and no support. These women are leaving abusive environments where basic needs for a healthy life are not being met. This shelter provides a space for women to have a place to live and set goals for their lives after surviving abuse. For more information on types of Domestic Abuse, visit our previous blog. Many women who come to this shelter are living on the street or in their cars and do not have anywhere to turn.

How Can You Call Amanah house?

If you are being harmed by a family member in your home, please call My Sister’s House: (916) 428-3271 for help. Staff is there to assist you in your first language: including Dari/Pashto, Urdu/Hindi, Arabic, and English.

AMANAH House is now open to help Muslim women and children who might be: