Charity introduces home for victims of domestic violence

A safe house for victims of domestic violence was just dedicated to St. Joseph County by Habitat for Humanity.

For this charity, it’s the first home of its kind in the nation.  

It took months and several sponsors to complete the home.

It's something the President of the Board of Directors at the Family Justice Center said could save lives. Domestic violence victims can seek shelter there.

Deborah Grounds said, “Even if you have to leave a pet behind, that can be traumatizing for a child. or they have adult older siblings and some shelters or other options aren’t always a viable option.”

Grounds said they have started the selection process to find a family who needs out of a domestic violence situation.

Grounds said, “They have to be one of these families that really can’t go anywhere else so we’re developing a game plan and we’ve identified 3 or 4 families that would fit the need for this house.”

The Homes of Hope program is a pilot for Habitat for Humanity and they hope to build more homes like it.

Sgt. Kris Hinton is a South Bend Police officer who is a part of the special victims unit. He said they formed 'task force hope.'

Sgt. Hinton said, “It means a lot because it gives us another option to give to families to get out of those violent relationships.”

Police will flag this safe house and make sure the family is monitored while they're there.

Below is a statement in the press release:

"The FJC would like to thank our community partners and Task Force HOPE members: Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit and Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana Department of Child Services, St. Joseph County Adult Protective Services, South Bend Police Department, Mishawaka Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, Notre Dame Security Police, Saint Mary’s College (Belles Closet), Indiana Legal Services, and CASIE Center. I would also like to acknowledge our major sponsors including the Whirlpool Corporation, ADT , Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and Saint Mary’s College (Belles Closet) along with the volunteers who generously donated their time to work on this Home of Hope.” 

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