The Shelter’s heart beats for the community
Naples Daily News Guest Editorial
Sunday, November 26, 2017
By Linda Oberhaus
Earlier this month, The Shelter was honored to receive the Heart of the Community Award from the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. This award means so much because the Heart of the Community is a beautiful image as well as a title of great responsibility.
As the Heart of the Community, the life-sustaining resources flowing into our organization are pumped out into the community, empowering survivors and sustaining our mission to prevent, protect and prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking.
According to WebMD, the heart is made of a special type of muscle that does not become fatigued. Likewise, The Shelter’s strength is sustained through its dedicated staff, over 400 amazing volunteers, and the exceptional leadership of experienced community members, including the Collier County Sheriff, Naples and Marco Island police chiefs, District 20 State Attorney, Naples Mayor and Collier County Public Schools Superintendent.
But as the body grows, so must the heart to maintain the flow of life sustaining resources to all extremities. As Collier County has grown over the past 30 years, so has the need for and variety of shelter services, especially in the far reaches of our community.
One year ago, The Shelter announced plans to build a new emergency shelter in Immokalee to serve Eastern Collier County. The need was clear. Victims of domestic violence are more likely to seek refuge if the shelter is located closer to their support systems of work, schools and families.
Simultaneously, the community was experiencing a growing need to assist victims of human trafficking. In 2013, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office assigned a full-time detective to this crime and in one year, reports jumped from 7 to 27.
To balance needs, resources and best practices, The Shelter asked Naples architect David Corban to design an innovative facility with three separate wings; one to provide emergency shelter and services for survivors of domestic violence, another devoted to the specialized long-term therapeutic care for human trafficking victims and a third for the Immokalee outreach team.
Once again, the community has stepped forward. Thanks to a heart-felt lead gift of $3 million from Shelly Stayer, The Shelter’s RISE (Respond, Inspire, Support, Empower) Campaign is truly on the rise. We are over half way to our goal and the land has been funded, with plans to break ground in the summer of 2018. We invite you to join us to ensure that we meet our goal. For information about the Shelly Stayer Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking & Domestic Violence and how you can help, go to naplesshelter.org/Immokalee.
As we enter the season of giving and thanks, our hearts and facility are full here at The Shelter. As I write this, 25 adults, 28 children and four pets are safe and empowered with the basic necessities, services and counseling needed to restore hope and healing to their lives.
Unfortunately, the sad truth is that no one in our community is safe from domestic violence. Last year, there were over 1,600 reports of domestic violence in Collier County. The chance of a mass murder, like those in Sutherland Springs, Texas and Rancho Tehama, California, was right here in Collier County – 1,600 times over.
Those communities are devastated – their hearts have been torn from them. We grieve with these families and we take seriously the lesson that they never meant to teach: that domestic violence is not a private issue, it’s not a family issue – it is a community issue.
As the heart beats 24-7, so does The Shelter’s crisis line. If you or someone you know is in need of help, call 239-775-1101.
