Sylvia’s Place Fall Festival annual fundraiser is approaching on Oct. 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Silo banquet facility.
This is the 21st year for the fundraiser that not only seeks to raise $20,000 to provide services and keep the safe shelter doors open 24/7, but to raise awareness in the community about domestic violence.
“October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and the theme is step up, say no and stop the cycle,” said Sylvia’s Place director Heather Forrest.
Sylvia’s Place opened in 1996. The shelter was named for Sylvia Allen of Pullman who was killed in 1989 after leaving the abuse of her boyfriend in hopes of a better life. That hope is what founded the shelter. Had a shelter existed, Sylvia might still be alive today. Her legacy is giving hope to others. It took the Allegan County Domestic Violence Task Force nine years to create the shelter amid much resistance and helping to change the way police dealt with domestic violence along the way.
Since then, Sylvia’s shelter has provided safe bed nights to 2,740 women and children. Typically, 30 days is the average stay at the shelter; however, as affordable housing becomes more difficult to find, the stay can take longer, said Janice Wilson who serves on Sylvia’s board of directors.
Sylvia’s Place has also provided 4,000 families with nonresidential services. Those services help people who have a place to stay but need help with legal assistance or navigating the legal system.
“This year (as of Sept. 13), Sylvia’s has provided nonresidential help to 174—20 of which were men,” Wilson said.
While Sylvia’s doesn’t have a safe house for men, they have a safe place to go for counseling, legal support and assistance with housing and employment.
“Many people don’t want to admit domestic violence is happening to them, they don’t want to talk about it and that others don’t want to hear about it,” Wilson said. Sylvia’s offers an objective opinion.
“The administrators, counselors and legal advocates are great and work with the client on whatever path they need to get strong.”
The special event includes silent auctions, raffles, an hors d’oeuvre dinner, desserts and a cash bar.
The raffle winner with the key that unlocks the treasure chest will win a vacation to Lake Tahoe. Reservation deadline is Oct. 7. Cost is $50 per person.
To register online, visit www.sylviasplace.com. For those who cannot attend but would like to donate, the website has a wish list and a current needs list available to purchase from Amazon.com that is updated regularly to reflect the highest priority.
Tickets can also be purchased by calling Janice at (269) 207-1187.
Virginia Ransbottom can be contacted at vransbottom@allegannews.com or at (269) 673-5534.
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