Posted in: Public
Crib sheets. Large bottles of laundry detergent. Canned food. Toothpaste.
These may seem like ordinary items to many families, but for some they are the essential supplies on the path to a new life. Thanks to the Young Lawyers Division Voices Against Violence Committee’s annual Necessities Drive, shelters across South Carolina have a new supply of necessities for women and children who are escaping environments of domestic violence.
“The goal of this drive is to bring awareness to domestic violence and its prevention by hosting a statewide initiative to collect basic every day necessities to sustain any individual, and their children, who has taken the brave leap to flee an unhealthy relationship by seeking refuge in a domestic violence shelter,” said Teckla Henderson, co-chair of the Voices Against Violence Committee.
This year’s drive benefitted shelters including Sistercare, Inc., YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, My Sister’s House, Safe Harbor, SAFE HOMES-Rape Crisis Coalition, MARYS House and Safe Passage.
October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month highlights the need to supply shelters with these necessities as nearly one in three women and one in four men nationwide have experienced a form of domestic violence in their lifetime.
The committee has noticed increasing participation from outside government agencies and private businesses who collect items in the name of the drive and then drop off their collected items at an assigned drop off location or a designated shelter all on their own. Every year, the committee publishes a list of suggested items that can be donated like laundry detergent, non-perishable food and crib sheets. However, all donations are appreciated, and some organizations donate outside of the categories with items like money and furniture.
Collected items and financial donations are distributed to shelters and organizations throughout the state who specialize in domestic violence safekeeping. The shelters then provide the items to the people and safe houses they serve, as needed. Since its founding, the program has expanded to further its reach and impart support in areas that may have less local funding.
“The demand for the drive allows the Voices Against Violence Committee to continue its annual Necessities Drive. Statewide YLD members, drop off sites and recipient shelters look forward to it every year. If anything, VAV hopes to be able to supply donations to an even greater number of shelters, especially the shelters in remote areas of the state,” said Henderson.
Voices Against Violence has the goal of educating young lawyers and the public about the epidemic of domestic violence and encouraging advocacy for domestic violence victims through legislative initiative, pro bono service, and providing hands-on support to shelters and other programs aiding victims of domestic violence. This support also includes participating in shelter refurbishment projects, with repainting, rebuilding, landscaping and other refurbishing needs.
In an effort to further support its mission, VAV is expanding into new areas of advocacy with plans to design, print and distribute informational materials and support a statewide initiative to bring dating and domestic violence education and prevention programs into high schools.
VAV is always looking for new ideas and seeking new committee members to assist in furthering the goals of the program in combatting domestic violence. Contact Teckla Henderson at tecklahenderson@scdps.gov to learn how you can get involved with the Voices Against Violence Committee.