Boston DV shelter destroyed by fire

This week a massive fire destroyed the only domestic violence shelter in the state of Massachusetts that allows mothers to stay with their children.

“It’s a big loss,” said Toni Troop, spokeswoman for Jane Doe Inc., an umbrella group of 60 social service providers including the Stone House. “The loss of any single bed, never mind an entire program, in Massachusetts just diminished the availability of emergency shelters. There are already as many people turned away as are served on any given day.”
Troop said the Stone House is one of 32 emergency shelters for domestic violence victims in the state, and that there is no fast way to replace the beds lost by the fire. Officials estimated the damage at $175,000.
But for Erika, who had just set up the playpen for her infant and was hauling the last of her goods into the apartment Tuesday afternoon when the building started to burn, the loss was impossible to quantify.
“I’m just devastated,” said Erika, 34. “I just know my life was starting over . . . [now] I have nothing — nothing, nothing, nothing.”

This must be a terrible time for the women who had been living at the shelter. They’re still waiting to hear if their insurance is going to cover their losses. If you want to help out, the center is seeking donations. Here’s where you can send a check:

The Elizabeth Stone House
P.O. Box 300039
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
info@elizabethstone.org

TWO UPDATES: Reader Sarah informs that there are indeed more DV shelters in Massachusetts that serve women and their children. (Apologies for repeating the error in the Boston Globe article.)
You can click here to donate with a credit card. I have no idea if they’re also accepting non-monetary donations. Will keep you posted if I hear anything more.