From bruises to vicious name-calling and manipulation, domestic violence victims face an awful, and often lonely, reality.
But there is hope.
Catalyst, a nonprofit safe-haven for domestic violence victims, in addition to its new shelter, has proposed a new campaign called Adopt-A-Room, to help furnish and provide appliances for the new 28-room shelter that is set to break ground Thursday.
Businesses and private parties can participate in the campaign by choosing a room to adopt.
Talia Scherquist, program director, is excited by the participation of the community on the implementation of the new shelter, she said.
"Community support and awareness shows a symbol that domestic violence is not OK," Scherquist said.
The ground breaking will thank those from Chico and state of California who have gone through the journey of pushing for the new shelter.
Anastacia Snyder, executive director, is eager for the new shelter because it will house more clients and meet their needs, she said. This is all thanks to Chico's very involved community.
"The community support that Catalyst has seen is amazing," Snyder said. "Around 35 percent of donations are from the community."
The state and federal-level funding have been challenged and steadily cut, she said.
The current shelter is more than 100 years old and is in need of significant repair, Snyder said. It needs a new roof that will cost $20,000.
"There are gives and takes with the new facility regarding cost-saving measures," she said.
The current shelter is 38,000 square feet, while the new one will be 97,000 square feet, Snyder said. Catalyst would rather pay more now, instead of having to make expensive fixes in the future for the new shelter.
"It is designed to be healthy and welcoming," Snyder said.
There is a great space for a children's program that will allow playing and doing homework in a communal environment, she said.
Catalyst's system will remain the same as far as client confidentiality, Snyder said.
The drop-in center will still be at the office located on Wall Street, she said. The current shelter will still be at a confidential location, and after the open house of the new shelter, its address will become unpublished.
Catalyst has several partners that help its system go round. New Beginnings is a program that quickly partnered with Catalyst to help the offenders of domestic violence.
Brian Martin, marriage and family therapist, works with Catalyst to reduce domestic violence within the community, he said.
"I'm really excited for the ground breaking," Martin said. "Anything in the direction to end domestic violence is good."
The decision for the new shelter was a community decision, not a business one, he said.
"The only way to stopping domestic violence is by community members stepping up and recognizing that it is the right thing to do," Martin said.
Calleene Egan can be reached at
cegan@theorion.com
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