Partnership could make safe house a reality
From our weekly issue dated August 11, 2010
When it began approximately 10 years ago, the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance (IVSHA) had a simple mission: to provide emergency housing for victims of domestic violence.
However, like many non-profit groups, IVSHA“s bottom line and fund-raising efforts have been battered by the lingering recession. That prompted Executive Director Chris Mallette and the IVSHA Board of Directors to shift its emphasis to providing services to victims.
In fact, there was even consideration of changing the organization“s name to reflect that new focus.
Luckily for Mallette, IVSHA clients and its board, a partnership with OnTrack might help make the emergency facility a reality.
Mallette said that during 2009, the Portland-based Meyer Memorial Trust gathered some 30 nonprofits to discuss the concept of sharing facilities, and encouraged them to apply for grants.
IVSHA had been looking for ways to partner with OnTrack for the past several years, Mallette said, so the two organizations applied for a Meyer grant. Approximately $22,000 was awarded to fund a feasibility study and ownership model, she said.
Although plans for the facility are “in flux,“ Mallette said, they would involve construction of 15 residential units at the rear of IVSHA“s Cave Junction location.
Four units would be reserved for IVSHA clients, Mallette said. The rest would be for women in an OnTrack program who are at risk of losing custody of their children to the state.
Women in those situations often have a bad credit history, Mallette said, and could benefit tremendously from such a facility being available to them.
“This really gives them the opportunity to build their credit and have a good rental history,“ Mallette said.
Sharing a facility will benefit both OnTrack and IVSHA clients, she said. Between 80 and 90 percent of people in recovery for substance abuse have been involved in domestic violence or sexual assault issues, she said, and many domestic violence survivors turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.
“No matter what door they come in, they will get more of the services they need,“ Mallette said.
Designs for the shared facility are being compiled by Ken Ogden, a Medford-based architect who also is on the IVSHA board.
Mallette said that a day-care center might also be included as part of the facility. That would help IVSHA achieve its goal of becoming more financially secure and diversified, and less dependent on grants, she said.
Although it might be at least two years until construction on the project can begin, Mallette said that it will be a secure facility.
In the meantime, IVSHA still is seeking ways to establish a 24-hour crisis line to provide immediate assistance to victims.
A support group will start at IVSHA“s Cave Junction office in early September, just in time for the organization“s 10th anniversary.
The group will focus on “unconditional love“ and breaking the cycle of abuse causing self-hate. Grace Auzenne, IVSHA advocate, will co-facilitate the group with Suzie Elwood.
For more information, phone 541-592-2515.
Full disclosure: IVN News Editor Scott Jorgensen served as an IVSHA director from 2009 until March 2010.
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