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.
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Between the Humane Society, the ASPCA, Dr. Tiller and now this, I'm not gonna have enough money to eat this month.
Upon reading the very first line, I thought, "motherfuckers set the place on fire!" I assumed some disgruntled abuser committed arson. Which could still be true, but this is one example of how my whole worldview has changed in the past year or so.
Shit dude, it's times like these that I really wish I wasn't so broke. Stupid fucking rent.
But now, realizing how much more I have than the women who have been affected by this fire, I'm still trying to figure out ways that I can scrape together a few dollars to send.
Some days, this world is such a sad place.
Shit dude, it's times like these that I really wish I wasn't so broke. Stupid fucking rent.
But now, realizing how much more I have than the women who have been affected by this fire, I'm still trying to figure out ways that I can scrape together a few dollars to send.
Some days, this world is such a sad place.
that's awful. i live in boston, i wonder if there's anything else i can do to help.
PS.
you can donate with a credit card here
I'm sending a check and emailing the story to all my friends asking them to do the same. They do amazing work; I've had contact with them when I worked with BARCC in Boston. Everyone, please, give anything you can.
I'm sending a check and emailing the story to all my friends asking them to do the same. They do amazing work; I've had contact with them when I worked with BARCC in Boston. Everyone, please, give anything you can.
My check's in the mail. I live in the Boston area, so I feel even more obligated to pitch in. It's not a huge amount, but every little bit helps, I think.
But yeah, Sarah MC, I know what you mean - I wish so much there was a way for me to materially support every cause I believe in. But I suppose if I want to be able to do that, I oughta quit grad school and get a real job!
Hi. I work for another DV program in Massachusetts and just wanted to clarify that MANY DV shelters in Mass.--most if not all of them--serve women and their children. This week, those other programs were immediately contacted to find shelter space for the residents of Elizabeth Stone House. As far as I could tell, everyone was placed within 24 hours.
Anyway, I just wanted you all to have the correct information.
Sarah
Is there anything they need other than money? You know, supplies, food, anything of that nature. I don't have any extra money right now but I just moved and have a lot of excess stuff that needs to be donated.