Sanctuary Receives  $400 Donation to Purchase School Supplies

Sedona, AZ (August 11, 2011) – Kids across the Verde Valley head back to school this month, and it’s no different for the children living at the Verde Valley Sanctuary, a 28-bed shelter for victims of domestic abuse. As a result of last month’s Sedona Showcase at the Martini Bar, the Sanctuary received a donation of nearly $400, which was used to help purchase school supplies, says Jane Hausner, the nonprofit’s executive director.

“At any given time, up to two-thirds of our clients can be children with their mothers,” says Jane. “The kids are emotionally vulnerable, and the new school year means a fresh start. We want them to begin school feeling positive about themselves.”

Moms living at the Sanctuary receive Wal-Mart gift cards, so they can shop for school supplies with their children and pick out exactly what they need. The mothers also receive vouchers to the Sanctuary’s two thrift stores, Twice Nice in Sedona and Second Chance in Cottonwood, where they can choose clothes and shoes. Both thrift stores welcome donations of new and used children’s items. If you would specifically like to make a donation to the Sanctuary’s back-to-school fund, please send a check with a “school supplies” notation.

In situations of domestic violence, children are frequently the reason a woman gathers the courage to leave. Oftentimes, a woman will wait until the end of the school year to flee a situation because she does not want to disrupt her children’s school schedule, but many times she and her children leave with only the clothes on their backs. “Over the years, many families have been able to be resettled by the start of the school year, but it’s been a very busy summer for us,” says Jane. “It’s unusual for the shelter to be so full at this time of the year, which means school supplies are needed more than ever.”

Verde Valley Sanctuary is a multi-service agency that responds to the problem of domestic abuse in the Sedona-Verde Valley community. The agency was founded in 1993. Programs have grown and been developed in response to community needs and presently include an emergency shelter with a 24-hour hotline, transitional housing, community and youth outreach, and legal advocacy. All programs are staffed with trained, paid employees. To make a donation, please send a check to P.O. Box 595, Sedona, AZ 86339 or visitwww.verdevalleysanctuary.org. For more information, call 928-634-2511.