ABC 7 – Shelter opens second location in Immokalee
“Essentially, we’ll be doubling our bed capacity to really meet the needs of the community,” Chief Executive Officer Linda Oberhaus said.
The new Shelly Stayer Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence is a product many years in the making.
“We did a study with the community to look at what were the number one needs in Immokalee, and domestic violence kept popping up,” Oberhaus said.
She said after the study happened about 10 years ago, they decided Immokalee needed its own shelter. Many victims were not able or willing to travel to Naples for shelter and counseling.
Groundbreaking happened last May, and now this Sunday, not even a global pandemic can stop them from opening their doors.
The 22,500 square foot shelter will have two separate wings for Immokalee specific victims of domestic violence and individuals with their children. Another specialized wing will host long-term, therapeutic care victims of human trafficking from all parts of Collier County.
“I think it’s going to really transform the Immokalee community,” Oberhaus said.
She said the shelter will not replace counseling services and outreach in Immokalee and surrounding areas.
The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-500-1119.
