August Update!

August has been a busy month for us here at the Women and Children’s Shelter.  We served 210 women and children, which is the highest number that we have seen this year.  Of these individuals, 174 were seeking shelter due to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, isolation and forced prostitution.  We served 6,519 meals!

In addition to seeing an increase in our clients we have also seen an increase in volunteer activity!  So many doors have been opened to the shelter this summer and we are thankful for all of the people who came in and contributed to the shelter.  Carmel Lutheran Church came in and revamped the first floor of our Domestic Violence Unit with new, bright colors, curtains and decorations.  Second Presbyterian Church from Memphis, Tennesee brought a group of students to Indianapolis for their Vacation Bible School and painted a sunflower mural in our child care, made welcome bags for the children coming into shelter, cleaned and helped serve meals in our kitchen!  Calvary Temple’s Children’s Choir came in to perform for the ladies and stayed after the performance to pray with families who requested prayer.  These groups were in addition to our regular volunteers!

Last, staff and volunteers got a chance to hang out at the Indiana State Fair for a day and work at the Jaycees Cornbooth.  We soaked, grilled, shucked, buttered and sold corn as a fundraiser for the shelter.  Oh, and we of course had fun too