Support survivors escaping domestic violence

Dear Friends:

With your help, we're proving safe, confidential shelter to families experiencing domestic violence. Providing emergency shelter is the foundation of our work, but we definitely don't stop there. We offer a full range of programs to the families who live at Raphael House, including self-sufficiency programming like help with financial planning and resume writing, and healthy programming like yoga and gardening. One of our program participants wrote this account of her experiences recently, and we thought you might like to read it:

My name is Angie, and I owe my life to Raphael House of Portland.

I was with my ex, B, for 5 years. During that time he manipulated, drugged, financially devastated, neglected, strangled, and nearly killed me. The physical abuse was terrible, and the emotional damage was just as hurtful.

Eventually my family witnessed a horribly violent fight between me and B and filed a police report. Shortly after, I received a telephone call from Melissa, a Raphael House advocate stationed with the Portland Police. Although I couldn’t have known it then, the minute I had that phone conversation with Raphael House, my life was spared.

Melissa listened and provided endless resources, support, friendship, insight, and encouragement. With her help, I created a safety plan and left B for good. To me, Melissa is an actual angel who I respect, love, and trust with my life.

After I left B, Melissa connected me with Raphael House’s Transitional Housing program. They got me into my own apartment and found me clothing for job interviews, arranged for an eye appointment and contact lenses, and enrolled me in a program that will pay for dental work to repair damage from the abuse. At Raphael House’s Advocacy Center I’m participating in art therapy and job search assistance programs.

Raphael House saved my life – and now it’s enriching it.

We can't thank you enough for supporting women like Angie as they work to build safe, violence-free lives. They're growing every day, and - with your help - so is Raphael House.

Winter is always one of the most inspiring times of year at Raphael House. In December we hold our annual Holiday Gift Drive, where local individuals and businesses drop off thousands of toys, clothing and gifts, volunteer groups sort them into categories like "Gifts for Mom," "Blankets" and "Winter Clothing" and then all the families we've served in the last year are invited to come and pick out gifts.

The shelter gets decked out in all kinds of holiday gear and our staff entertains the kids while moms pick out and wrap gifts. Every year the generosity of the donations is stunning - this year one local store donated more than 1,000 sets of new kids pajamas! We had hundreds and hundreds of brand new toys and books. And residents at local retirement homes donated dozens of handknit scarves and hats for moms and kids.

It's the generosity of donors like you who make this kind of inspiring program possible. You keep our doors open and our shelter staffed. You give us the time and energy to recruit enough donations to make sure that every family has a warm and happy holiday season. You make it all possible. We really can't thank you enough.

Warm wishes for a happy and safe 2012 from all of us at Raphael House of Portland.