Page 3 - 2020 Impact Report

The Power of Love

As I write this message, the world continues to grapple with the impacts of COVID-19. Throughout the
pandemic, most of us have felt powerless, but none more so than victims of domestic violence trapped in their
homes with their abusers. Now more than ever before, the work of The Shelter is vital to prevent, protect and
prevail over domestic violence and human trafficking.
Almost overnight, the impact of the pandemic challenged The Shelter on every front. Our advocates quickly
reinvented how they provide services. Emergency shelter staff immediately initiated CDC protocols to ensure
the health and safety of participants in our emergency shelter. Outreach advocates utilized Zoom to continue
providing face-to-face communication with their participants. The Shelter Options Shoppe opened an online
store and our development team found creative ways to offset funding lost to cancelled or rescheduled events.
Like the individuals we serve, we found the power to keep moving forward in difficult times.
At The Shelter, we spend considerable time educating people on the tactics abusers use to maintain power
and control over their victims. Through our services, survivors are empowered to love themselves and thus,
the power of love overcomes the love of power, bringing peace to our whole community.
Thank you for your part in this amazing process. Despite the challenges of
2020, The Shelter opened a second emergency shelter location, the Shelly
Stayer Shelter, in Immokalee. We also celebrated the opening of J.J.’s
Cottage, our eighth Transitional Living cottage, and purchased a ninth home
for our Transitional Living program.

Through the power of your love, we are able to overcome the love of
power that has destroyed so many lives. There is still much work
to be done. Let’s power up together and press forward toward peace.

Linda Oberhaus, CEO

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