Utah domestic violence shelter in need of community donations
Oct 28, 2022, 9:58 PM | Updated: 11:05 pm
WEST JORDAN, Utah — South Valley Services, a domestic violence service provider and shelter in West Jordan, is asking the community for monetary donations.
Development Director Josie White said a grant that funds hotel stays for people in crisis will end in the next couple of weeks.
“What we need is the support of our community to keep funding these endeavors,” White said.
This year, the number of requests SVS received from families needing shelter doubled. Right now, all 55 of their beds are occupied. Although a grant funded more than $65,000 in hotel stays this year, they still had to refer out 120 survivors they could not shelter.
“That demand has steadily been increasing since the beginning of the pandemic,” White said. “The survivors who come to our shelter have experienced almost unspeakable horrors. All these people in need would be suffering alone and there is no reason for them to have to do that because we exist, our community is behind them, and we all want to help.”
A domestic violence shelter is in desperate need of donations as demand for their services increases…and as a grant that funds hotel stays for those in crisis, ends. Full story at 10:00 @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/2d3a7IB6IL
— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) October 29, 2022
White said it takes about $1,000 to house a family for seven days. In a couple of weeks, funding for those hotel stays will run out. They are hoping the community will step up to help their neighbors in crisis.
“This is a community-wide issue that requires a community-wide solution,” she said.
Even though their shelter is full, White emphasized that they will not turn people away.
“Even if we do end up being at capacity, when somebody calls, we can place them into a hotel room, and even if we aren’t able to house them right away, they can still get in touch with a victim advocate,” she said.
You can connect with South Valley Services at 801-255-1095. To donate, dial extension 202.
Domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
- Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
There are several ways the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition can help people. Previous examples include providing financial assistance for funerals, for moving, for a variety of things, counseling that help people find a different path or stay healthy and safe and the relationship they’re in.
Sexual assault resources
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Helpline at 1-888-421-1100. You can also call the Rape Recovery Center Crisis Line at 801-467-7273 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.
