Transitional Housing

The Gateway Domestic Violence Center has launched its capital campaign to raise 1 million dollars to build additional transitional housing.  They, with the support of their awesome community, are already nearly half way to their goal!  I am very honored, along with my mother, to serve as the co chair person for this campaign.  But just in case you are wondering what the heck is transitional housing, let me explain:

OK, let's talk about Gateway Domestic Violence Center, first.  They are an organization that has been serving battered women for over 25 years.  They are an emergency shelter, plus more.  Last year, they served over 1000 women and her children.  There is NEVER an empty bed.  Typically, a woman and her children will stay in the emergency shelter for 30 days.

While they are there, many things are offered, such as: life classes, group therapy, personal mentorship, and many other things such as art classes and occupational therapy.  There are classes for teenagers and children.  There is legal support as well.  Even a battered woman who is not in need of the emergency shelter, can take part of the classes and group sessions.  It is there to support any woman and her children who are experiencing domestic violence.  They also run a 24 hour hot line.

After 30 days in the shelter, the woman and her children may go to live in one of the transitional housing apartments.  The location of the apartments and of the shelter are secret, in order to keep everything secure.  Everything is heavily guarded and monitored.  A woman typically lives in these apartments for 6 months while she gets back on her feet.  The environment is supportive and she has accessibility to all the services Gateway offers.  Her housing costs are taken care of so she can save money in order to rebuild her life and start over.

Can you even imagine what it must feel like to have finally left your abuser, only to realize that you don't have enough money to make it on your own, so you must go back?  This scenario does not just happen to the poor.  Economic abuse happens to women of all economical statuses.  This is the number one reason a woman will go back to her abuser.  If your partner has control over all your money, and everything is in his name, do you think you can pull about $3000.00 out of a hat and go put deposits on an apartment and utilities?  Believe me, you can't.  And $3,000.00 is for bare minimum living. 

Transitional housing gives women dignity!  It is empowering for a battered woman to find a job, and be able to sock her own hard earned money away until she saves enough for her OWN place!  It is wonderful if she can do this while living somewhere where she does not have to worry about her safety, in a loving, encouraging environment.  If our society wants to see an end to domestic violence, this is what it looks like.  We need more transitional housing.  We have to make ways for women like me to start over.

If you would like to donate to this campaign, please visit www.gatewaydvcenter.org and you may donate securely on line, or mail a check to the address provided.  It's all about the power of We!  We can make a difference.  You can donate $5.00, $500.00, or $500,000 dollars.  Whatever you are able to give, it will become part of someone's miracle.