Women's shelter seeks help

By Cheryl Rodewig, THE BAYONETAugust 6, 2009

Women's shelter seeks help
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, GA - Patti Herron, a financial specialist with Army Community Service, believes that when it comes to money matters, people have a choice.

"I think we go through life thinking we're thrown things and we don't have a choice in the matter and you do," Herron said. "I like to tell people that they have a choice about how they spend their money, the decisions they make."

Herron shares her financial know-how not only with Soldiers and families but also victims of domestic violence to empower them to become independent and informed about their finances, she said.

She started volunteering at Hope Harbour about two years ago. A local battered women's shelter, Hope Harbour offers a variety of services, including a 24-hour crisis line, counseling and support groups, referrals for legal and medical assistance and filing Georgia Crime Victims' Compensation.

Herron said she works with the residents to teach them financial planning and budgeting, the "cornerstone" of gaining financial control. She helps them manage their monthly expenses and offers practical advice, such as going grocery shopping on a full stomach.

"That's the most important thing: ask yourself, 'Do you need it or do you want it'' There is a difference," she said.

Volunteering with the shelter has been rewarding, she said.

"This is something that I just feel: if the Lord has given you the ability to do certain things, you should share it with others," she said. "I think once you get in there and you see you're making a difference and you're giving your time, you'll feel better for it."

Mary Leverett, volunteer coordinator for Hope Harbour, said she has heard positive feedback from the residents about Herron's financial literacy class - "that it's very helpful for them in a day-to-day sense."

"The women who stay here, a lot of times they're starting from the bottom," Leverett said. "They may not have had a checking account. They may not have ever really thought about planning meals for their kids and how to do it in a cost effective manner. So in that aspect Patti is super, because she really starts from the basics."

But people don't need to be financial gurus to volunteer. The shelter needs adults to help the kids with their homework and play with them, tutors for some of the women and groups or individuals who can help organize the donations the shelter receives, Leverett said.

An Officer Candidate School group visited Hope Harbour two consecutive Saturdays and refurbished a room, cleaned out the donations shed and put in shelving in the children's room. It wasn't much time, but it made a big difference to the women and children who live at the shelter, said Diane Hett, the director for Hope Harbour.

Celebrating its 30th year, Hope Harbour serves six counties and about 400 women and children each year, Hett said. Volunteers are an important part of that service.

"Research shows that the greatest likelihood that a woman will stay free from violence is to have support from other people," she said. "The more protective factors the women have, the less likely they are to get into another abusive relationship."

Volunteers can be part of that shield of protection, she said.

Leverett said she encourages volunteers to learn about legislation related to domestic violence and learn how to respond to the warning signs of domestic violence: isolation, changes in mood and fear.

"Learn about what the correct response might be to your sister when you find out something is going on with her relationship," she said. "Domestic violence keeps happening in part because we as a society allow it. One in four women in the United States either are, have been or will be in a violent relationship. So when you're sitting at work, or you're sitting in church or you're sitting at a family get-together, look around you. Somebody there is either abused or an abuser."

Volunteers are required to attend an orientation, complete training and undergo a background check.

To learn more about volunteering or Hope Harbour, call 706-256-0237 or visit www.hopeharbour.org.