Wenatchee Central Lions extended a generous donation to Sage Advocacy Center to support survivors of domestic violence in Chelan and Douglas counties. The $50,000 donation will be allocated towards expanding Sage Advocacy Center’s emergency shelter. The shelter currently has 23 beds for women and children fleeing or impacted by domestic violence. The donation is the largest investment into the shelter from the community to date and will be put towards adding 10 more beds, a new bathroom, and making the shelter ADA compliant.
Sage Advocacy Center serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and as Chelan and Douglas counties local Children’s Advocacy Center. Sage has been serving survivors in the Wenatchee Valley since 1978. Support for victims of domestic violence makes up the majority of services provided at Sage. In the last year, Sage Advocacy Center housed 91 people for 3,432 nights. Sage Advocacy Center’s emergency shelter has been at capacity or nearly at-capacity for the last several months. The emergency shelter is one of Sage’s most utilized services and staff works around the clock to ensure that housing services are available 24/7.
During a stay at the shelter, residents are provided with food, bedding, household supplies, emergency financial assistance, and optional wrap around advocacy services. Sage’s services are provided at no cost. The shelter is funded by state and federal grants on a reimbursement basis and funding does not permit improvements or expansion of the space. “This generous donation from the Wenatchee Central Lions Club helps to fill a major need while also showing survivors of domestic violence that our community supports and cares about them,” said Bethany Alhaidari, Executive Director of Sage Advocacy Center. Alhaidari came on earlier this year and worked with the Board of Directors to prioritize improvement of shelter programs.
“We are unfortunately seeing an increased need for safe housing in the Valley for survivors of domestic violence and their children. This expansion will help Sage to meet that need by expanding the number of people we can house,” said Sage Advocacy Center’s Programs Manager, Selena Bravo.
All four phases of the Shelter Expansion and Renovation project will total around $129,513. The Wenatchee Central Lion’s club is the single largest donation to date to support the project’s completion and makes it possible for Sage Advocacy Center to complete the first phase of the project. Stephanie Musser, current president of Wenatchee Central Lions Club, said that supporting survivors of domestic violence aligns with the clubs mission to serve the community, promote peace and meet humanitarian needs.
Sage Advocacy Center is still working on fundraising to ensure all phases are complete. Thanks to Wenatchee Central Lion’s Club’s donation, Phase One is anticipated to begin in January of 2024.
For inquiries please contact bethanya@findsafety.org.