Women In Distress Back to School Donation Drive for Children of Domestic Violence Survivors
Help Children of Domestic Violence Start the New School Year Off Right
Boca Raton, FL – As many families now are preparing their children for a new school year, it can be a time of stress and uncertainty for children caught up in the web of violence at home.
Imagine that as a young child or teen, you and your Mom had to leave everything behind this summer trying to find a safe place. No new backpack, no school supplies or new shoes. Maybe even have to switch to a new school.
That’s where Women In Distress steps in with its Back to School Drive and is reaching out now for support from the community. Each year, the agency that serves survivors of domestic abuse and their children with free and confidential programs mounts a campaign to collect backpacks, school supplies and monetary donations for essentials like clothes, uniforms and shoes so that these children can look forward to a new school year – ready to learn and succeed.
It’s estimated that it costs, on average, more than $500 per household to get ready before that first school bell rings in just a few weeks.
Women In Distress is able to provide for several hundred children now and throughout the year with school supplies and clothes.
“It’s important for the children affected by domestic violence to have the best possible chance to succeed in the classroom, “says Mary Riedel, President and CEO of Women In Distress. ““At the same time many other kids are returning from vacations, family visits and summer camps, we are seeing a spike in calls to our 24-hour crisis line for families needing help at a very difficult time.”
The Women In Distress Back to School Drive helps hundreds of families bridge that gap. Businesses, community groups, churches, synagogues and other faith communities, as well as individuals and families are encouraged to help with donations now through August 8. A suggested list of supplies, drop off instructions and hours, and information on making a cash or credit card donation can be found at the agency’s website www.womenindistress.org.
About Women In Distress
Women In Distress is the only nationally accredited, state-certified, full service domestic violence center serving Broward County, Florida. Our mission is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education and advocacy. We strive to accomplish this mission through a 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter program, individual counseling, support groups and professional trainings which are aimed at educating the community on domestic violence. Since 1974, WID has been providing an environment that helps participants recover from the traumatic effects of victimization and develop an understanding and awareness of the dynamics of domestic violence by empowering them to gain independence and self-sufficiency. The agency currently operates a 132-bed shelter in a confidential location, as well as an outreach center at the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center in Deerfield Beach, with satellite locations in several cities throughout Broward County. Last year, WID provided more than 33,000 nights of safe shelter, answered nearly 27,000 calls to its 24-Hour Crisis Hotline and provided 21,000 hours of counseling and therapy.
More information visit www.womenindistress.org
