When we think of domestic violence most of us think about what is going on between a man and women. Many times there are others who are affected by the violence who unfortunately do not have a voice that is often heard. Those little eyes hiding behind the doorway.
Recently, our Assistant Director met with several of the children to get their thoughts about, “life in a shelter”. Their thoughts are very candid and truthful! These are exact quotes (some of the answers go from one topic to the next).
Boy Age 10-4th grade
Jenny: What do we do here? What is our purpose?
Boy: You help by giving people a place to stay. Without this place, people would have to stay with someone that is mean. You also provide good food. My little brother, who when he stretches out you can see his ribs. Also, you have great backyard toys.
Jenny: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Boy: I want to be a policeman. They helped us. I also want to be a big brother in that program.
Girl Age 9-3rd grade
Jenny: What do you like to do here?
Girl: I like to play freeze-tag in the playroom. I also like to practice basketball outside. I want to be on my school’s team, if I’m good enough.
Jenny: What has been your favorite thing?
Girl: When we took a field trip to the animal society. I got to hug a kitten.
Jenny: What do you think mom does now that you’re in school.
Girl: She goes out to try to find us a safe place of our own.
Boy Age 6-1st grade
Jenny: What is the best thing about staying here?
Boy: I love our room. We all have our own bed and I love digging and making things out of that stuff (mulch). I have lots of friends to play with.
Jenny: What is the yuckiest thing here?
Boy: I still have to do my homework and go to bed by 8:30 or my mom says “begin the bedtime process at 8 p.m” (this bedtime process is stated in our rule book and many kids have adopted many of the phrases that we use).
Click here for a printable version..
After receiving a grant, many of our board members spent an entire day to help build our new children’s playground area.
Here they are building…
Here are pictures of the finished children’s playground!
