Serving Those in Need Despite Challenges – The Laurens County Safe Home
September 22, 2020
2020 has been quite a year so far. From COVID-19 to business and school challenges, everyone has experienced change and challenges and that includes the Laurens County Safe Home.
We recently interviewed Dawn Ardelt, Director of the Laurens County Safe Home for our Community Spotlight series (click here to see the segment).
“The stress of COVID-19 has created a pressure cooker in many homes,” said Ardelt. “This has increased the need for our services, and we will never turn anyone away.”
The Laurens County Safe Home serves women and children fleeing from domestic violence. In 2019 they housed and served over 200 women and helped them transition to a new life. They also served 916 women with out of shelter services that range from educations, training, and legal services.
National studies show that the pandemic has caused an increase in domestic violence, but the Safe Home has been working hard to accommodate those in need while adjusting to additional requirements brought about by the pandemic.
Then the unimaginable happened.
On July 24, 2020 there was a fire at the Safe Home. While no one was hurt, one section of the building experienced significant damage and almost everything in the building was ruined. Ardelt and her staff worked hard to get all of the residents relocated.
The cost to rebuild will far exceed the insurance coverage and will require significant upgrades to get the building up to current fire code. And rebuilding isn’t the only unplanned expense. Most residents flee their homes with only the clothes they are wearing. The shelter is now rebuilding their supply of clothes, diapers, linens and more.
The community has been good in their support of the Safe Home, but the need now is greater than ever. The Silent Tears Agency has agreed to match up to $75,000 in contributions if made by December 31st. So far, contributions of $29,537 have been received. To make a contribution to the safe home click here and remember your contribution will be matched by the Silent Tears Agency.
Ardelt and her staff are working harder than ever to continue the critical services they provide to so of the most vulnerable in our community. Several fundraising events are in development and you can check back here for more information about them soon.
Learn more here about their work and how you can help. If you can help, please call (864) 682-7270 or email Dawn Ardelt, Director at [email protected].
