Thank you
Ukiah Daily Journal
10/11/12
To The Editor:
The old saying, "there's no place like home," conjures up visions of peace and tranquility when thinking of the place we call home. Unfortunately though, that saying doesn't always ring true for victims of domestic violence. One of the many services Project Sanctuary provides for these
victims is transitional shelter for survivors needing an extended period of time to regroup and rebuild beyond their initial stay at the emergency safe house. Over the years, literally hundreds of clients and their families have been able to take advantage of this housing opportunity located in our two-story turn-of-the century home that was donated to the agency back in the
1980's. But hundreds of families coming and going creates a lot of wear and tear on an old building and its contents. From the floors to the ceiling, this dreary place had grown tired, worn out, dingy and very uninspiring for folks trying to start over. So a few years ago when a long term client vacated the downstairs unit after finding permanent housing, with the help of staff and volunteers we gave the place a fresh coat of paint and replaced some flooring. But then we looked at all the dilapidated, dreary stuff to go back in and we cringed.
Enter the wonderful ladies of Soroptimist Yokayo Sunrise of Ukiah. When they heard of our situation, which took place around the same time our funding took a nose dive, they dove into
the project with all kinds of enthusiasm to pick up where we left off. They replaced just about everything. Some things were new, like the stylish bedding sets for all three bedrooms, and some things were donated, like the slightly used furniture in terrific condition from the kind folks at Hospice. Cheery thrift store art found new life on the walls and it looked great lit up by donated lamps sitting on handsome replacement tables, next to couches with brand new matching toss pillows. New curtains were hung in every window and even the dish towels in the kitchen were replaced. These ladies found a way to make all of it look unbelievably cozy and welcoming. The detail and care they took for every corner of the space was simply amazing.
So this past spring and summer we tackled the upstairs unit in the same way, fresh paint and flooring, and once again Soroptimists came through with the plan and materials to repeat the downstairs project. Together with their partners at Hospice, the entire house now looks fabulous from head to toe. It is now a real "sanctuary" for our transition clients and their families to come home to everyday for them "there's no place ike home" has new meaning again.
We have some amazing service groups in this community and Soroptimists are right at the top of the list; all volunteering their time to make places like a shelter for victims of domestic
violence a better place so it's fitting that I find myself writing this in October - National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On behalf of Project Sanctuary, thanks to everyone at Soroptimists and Hospice from the bottom of our hearts. All of you are indeed a huge credit to this community.
Dina Polkinghorne
Project Sanctuary
Ukiah Daily Journal
10/11/12
To The Editor:
The old saying, "there's no place like home," conjures up visions of peace and tranquility when thinking of the place we call home. Unfortunately though, that saying doesn't always ring true for victims of domestic violence. One of the many services Project Sanctuary provides for these
victims is transitional shelter for survivors needing an extended period of time to regroup and rebuild beyond their initial stay at the emergency safe house. Over the years, literally hundreds of clients and their families have been able to take advantage of this housing opportunity located in our two-story turn-of-the century home that was donated to the agency back in the
1980's. But hundreds of families coming and going creates a lot of wear and tear on an old building and its contents. From the floors to the ceiling, this dreary place had grown tired, worn out, dingy and very uninspiring for folks trying to start over. So a few years ago when a long term client vacated the downstairs unit after finding permanent housing, with the help of staff and volunteers we gave the place a fresh coat of paint and replaced some flooring. But then we looked at all the dilapidated, dreary stuff to go back in and we cringed.
Enter the wonderful ladies of Soroptimist Yokayo Sunrise of Ukiah. When they heard of our situation, which took place around the same time our funding took a nose dive, they dove into
the project with all kinds of enthusiasm to pick up where we left off. They replaced just about everything. Some things were new, like the stylish bedding sets for all three bedrooms, and some things were donated, like the slightly used furniture in terrific condition from the kind folks at Hospice. Cheery thrift store art found new life on the walls and it looked great lit up by donated lamps sitting on handsome replacement tables, next to couches with brand new matching toss pillows. New curtains were hung in every window and even the dish towels in the kitchen were replaced. These ladies found a way to make all of it look unbelievably cozy and welcoming. The detail and care they took for every corner of the space was simply amazing.
So this past spring and summer we tackled the upstairs unit in the same way, fresh paint and flooring, and once again Soroptimists came through with the plan and materials to repeat the downstairs project. Together with their partners at Hospice, the entire house now looks fabulous from head to toe. It is now a real "sanctuary" for our transition clients and their families to come home to everyday for them "there's no place ike home" has new meaning again.
We have some amazing service groups in this community and Soroptimists are right at the top of the list; all volunteering their time to make places like a shelter for victims of domestic
violence a better place so it's fitting that I find myself writing this in October - National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On behalf of Project Sanctuary, thanks to everyone at Soroptimists and Hospice from the bottom of our hearts. All of you are indeed a huge credit to this community.
Dina Polkinghorne
Project Sanctuary
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