Freedom House domestic violence shelter gets $1million
LAKE COUNTY — A planned domestic violence shelter got a big boost this month when the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) awarded the Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC) a $1 million forgivable loan to build Freedom House ? which will be the first full-service shelter for families or individuals suffering from domestic violence abuse in Lake County.
The shelter will be located on 1.4 acres in Kelseyville on the corner of Highway 29 and Live Oak Drive. A tentative ground-breaking date is set for September 2009, but could be sooner, depending on how additional fundraising efforts go, according to LFRC Executive Director Gloria Flaherty.
The award comes in the form of a 10-year loan that will be forgiven provided the use of the property does not change during that period.
“This has been a vision of our agency for several years,” Flaherty said. “Victims of domestic violence will finally have a safe, secure place to stay while receiving all of the assistance they need.”
The new shelter will increase the number of available beds in the county from 14 ? at the transitional shelter in Clearlake ? to 25 beds at the new Kelseyville facility.
According to Flaherty, services provided at the new shelter will include intensive case management, individual and group counseling, court accompaniment, legal and social services advocacy, life skills development, emergency and non-emergency transportation, nutritional counseling, educational advocacy for youth and a program for children.
LFRC Board of Directors member Kathy Fowler said, “This has been an arduous process. The state of California thoroughly reviewed LFRC”s application to determine if fiscal processes and ability to provide services was of the highest quality. I”m so happy to report that we passed all tests with flying colors.”
LFRC needs to raise another $600,000 in the county in order to reach the goal of $3 million to build the new shelter. “We have to have $3 million in funds committed for this phase,” Flaherty said, in order to meet EHAP requirements.
In addition, Kelseyville Lumber pledged to donate materials to the construction efforts. And the land has been provided for $1 per year by Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
LFRC will continue fundraising efforts this summer, asking individuals and businesses for support.
A local fundraising effort by artist and gallery owner Gail Salituri, has raised hundreds of dollars through the sale of works of art. The fund celebrates the memory of Barbara LaForge, who was murdered in Lakeport in 2002.
An event to raffle off art work takes place this weekend on Sunday. More than 100 people purchased the $5 tickets. The winner will be called and also announced that day on Lake County Community Radio on 88.1 F.M.
For the next raffle, Salituri is planning to raffle a Thomas Kinkade piece called “America”s Pride.”
“It”s a flag over the Capitol, so it”s perfect for July 4,” Salituri said.
She also will paint an original art work to donate, and will raffle a beveled mirror.
“My goal is to raise $5,000 by Christmas. We”re right under $1,000 with this raffle,” Salituri said.
To donate to the Barbara LaForge Memorial Fund, where all funds will go directly to the shelter, please donate at any West America Bank. Deposit slips are available at Inspirations Gallery in Lakeport. Checks can be made out to “LaForge Memorial Fund.” For more information, please call (707) 263-4366.
Flaherty said LFRC expects to raise at least another million dollars from grants and awards, and is kicking off a “Capital Campaign” to raise the needed funds.
If you would like more information about the Freedom House Domestic Violence Shelter Project, or would like to assist in the fundraising campaign, please call Gloria Flaherty at (707) 262-1611 or e-mail her at gloriaf@lakefrc.org.
You make a tax-deductible donation to the shelter at area Umpqua banks. Please make checks payable to “Lake Family Building Fund.”
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
