Volunteers needed for group helping abuse victims

Volunteers needed for group helping abuse victims

Furniture is packed to the ceiling at Shalom Bayit.

By Molly Shen

When a woman escapes an abusive relationship, she's thankful to get away with her safety. She's not worried about getting away with items like furniture.

There's just one furniture bank in our state devoted solely to helping domestic violence survivors. It's called Shalom Bayit.

Shalom Bayit serves women like Nora, who escaped an abusive relationship in 2001.

"I had this profound sense of gratitude that anything in here I want I could take home," Nora says.

Domestic violence survivors can "shop" the warehouse for everything they need to start their lives over.

There are mattresses, couches, chairs and more. But it's not just the big stuff.

Many women leave their abusers so quickly, they don't have anything like silverware or bedding.

"Their safety planning is remember to take your child. Remember to take your bank records," says Lauren Simonds of the Seattle Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, which runs Shalom Bayit.

"It's not remember to take the living room furniture and the kitchen set. There's no where to put it. They're leaving and going someplace that's not a home."

The program is so in demand, Shalom Bayit has outgrown its own home.

Volunteers are moving the furniture into a new space where women can look around with dignity. Nearly all of them are stocking new home for themselves and children.

Nora's son was three when they had to disappear.

"The furniture was delivered while he was away," Nora says. "And when he came back, he couldn't believe his eyes. He'd run from room and room and say, 'Mommy, Mommy, look, look!'"

Shalom Bayit delivers much more than furniture. It delivers what the words Shalom Bayit mean: Peace in the home.

Shalom Bayit needs furniture donations. But even more, the group needs help making furniture deliveries.

They only use licensed, bonded movers.

If you are a mover who can donate time or you would like to make a donation to pay for movers, visit www.ncjwseattle.org for more information.
Icon
Current Temp 51 °F
Overcast
More Weather

Travel Times

Traffic

On Demand

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Viewer Poll

Vote for the best high school play of the week -- Watch the plays!

  • Auburn's Carlo runs left, runs right
  • Ferndale's Locker leap
  • Ballard's Downey to Sandstrom