The Honesdale Rotary will host a housewarming shower for clients of the Victims Intervention Program (VIP). This first-ever event will be held Sunday, April 30 at Grace Episcopal Parish Hall, 827 Church St. beginning at 2 p.m.
The VIP program offers professional and confidential help to victims of domestic abuse. Many of these victims often have to start new lives in new places as they recover from their trauma. They need basic items, such as bed linens and cutlery. The community is invited to bring housewarming gifts and donations.
“We’ll have games, raffle baskets, light fare and refreshments,” Alycia Schwartz, co-chair of the event said. “This is a very worthy cause. Sometimes VIP clients escape abuse with no more than the shirts on their back. And, many of them have children who are also in need.”
“We are very grateful for this opportunity, which has not been done before,” VIP Executive Director Michele Minor Wolf said. “When victims of domestic violence or human trafficking come to our shelter, we give them a full set of new bedding, including sheets, pillows, towels and a comforter. When they exit the shelter, they can take these with them. We also give a few things to the children that they can call their.
“It’s important to us that the people we shelter are treated with respect and dignity. A new set of bedding and towels and a stuffed animal provides some comfort in a very distressful time,” Wolf added.
VIP started as a non-profit crisis intervention service in 1988, but today provides legal assistance, shelter, advocacy, counseling and education. Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Call 570-253-4401 or 570-296-HELP.
Wondering what to bring? Donations are welcome but VIP does have a wish list on Amazon. Log onto https://a.co/bh63tT3 to find out more. Desired items include comforters, pack-n-play sheets, portable baby bouncer, non-stick bakeware, tumblers and kitchen utensils.
To RSVP, visit Honesdale Rotary on Facebook or email awscpa@ptd.net.
Honesdale Rotary is a service club, part of Rotary International which counts more than one million members worldwide. Locally, Honesdale Rotary recently helped the Wayne County Food Pantry, the Wayne Highlands Middle School Science Olympiad team, painted the Fred Miller Pavilion and helped fund the Wayne County Arts Alliance building. New members are welcome.
