During each person’s lifetime he or she will be a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault or have a relative, friend or neighbor who will need to seek assistance or shelter from an abusive situation, said Dorothy Sparks, director of Hope Unlimited.
Hope Unlimited needs to raise at least $25,000 by next October to be able to continue providing outreach and sexual assault services. The money will be used to match state and federal grants that fund the services.
Outreach services include support groups and assisting victims with transportation to medical appointments and court dates. Other services offered are crisis intervention, emergency shelter, child visitation center and child advocacy center.
Hope Unlimited is asking area residents “To Do One Thing and It Will Lead to Another” as its prelude to the fundraiser to raise the $25,000.
“One small act of giving can help Hope Unlimited whether through a
monetary donation, supplies for the safe house or your time as a volunteer,” Sparks said.
Ten years ago there might have been a couple of families in the shelter during the Christmas holiday. For the past several years the shelter has been filled to capacity each night. A single donation of $25 will buy milk, eggs and bread for the shelter.
The shelter in Iola serves Allen, Anderson, Neosho, Woodson and parts of Wilson counties. The next closest shelter is in Nevada, Mo.
Volunteers are always needed to assist Hope’s two outreach and one sexual assault advocate.
“It is not unusual for our staff to be called to assist more than one sexual assault victim at the same time. With more volunteers we would be able to help more people,” Sparks said.
THE WINE tasting fundraiser in November raised $5,000 toward Hope Unlimited’s goal of $25,000. One hundred twenty-five people attended.
A giving gesture by one staff member was the covering of some of the expenses for the wine tasting so more of the proceeds would be given to the facility.
The next fundraiser will be a Diva Dinner for women and those who have helped at Hope Unlimited during the past year.
“Every woman deserves to be a diva and through the dinner we hope to raise awareness of our services,” Sparks said.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to Hope Unlimited may send it to P.O. Box 12, Iola, KS 6674.
