Domestic Violence Survivors Break Ground for New Raphael House Shelter

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Siobhan Loughran
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PORTLAND, Ore. -- Survivors of domestic abuse performed a ceremonial tree planting today to launch the renovation of a new and larger shelter for Raphael House, an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Because of the shelter residents' safety and security concerns, the shelter's new location is confidential. Participants were joined by other survivors of domestic abuse, the Raphael House Board of Directors, the Capital Campaign Leadership Council, major funders and Raphael House staff. The event was held under sunny skies and amidst the perfume of roses in the amphitheater of the Washington Park Rose Gardens in Portland.

"For the first time I was able to go to sleep without feeling afraid for my daughter or myself thanks to the people at Raphael House," said Doll Faller, a survivor of abuse and volunteer at the shelter. "They taught me that I am brave and that I didn't deserve to be abused."

Fellow survivors Marie Masterson and Barbara Nelson joined Faller as they broke ground and planted a Japanese Maple sapling. The maple will be planted in the courtyard of the new shelter when it is opened this fall.

"We are honored that these women are participating with us today," said Mark Story, executive director of Raphael House. "Speaking out about their abuse is an act of tremendous courage."

The new Raphael House Hedco Shelter is expected to be completed in six months and will allow the agency to care for 210 more women and children each year, a 60 percent increase over the current shelter's capacity.

Major support for the project has come from The Hedco Foundation (Oakland, Calif.), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Collins Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation and U.S. Bank. Providence Health Systems donated the building. Significant in-kind contribution for renovation comes from the Oregon Chapter of NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties).