After being closed for over two years, The Shelter, a home for domestic violence survivors, has reopened and is hosting a fundraiser to help offset daily operating costs as well as to begin a few outdoor projects.

The Shelter, an NGO and charity, was opened in 1987 by former independent senator and human rights activist Diana Mahabir-Wyatt.

Sherron Harford vice-chair of the nine-member executive committee told Sunday Newsday it is the second oldest shelter in the country. It provides support for individual women, and women with children who are survivors of domestic violence.

In collaboration with MovieTowne, Port of Spain, The Shelter is hosting a fundraiser as part of the international premiere of the film Downton Abbey: A New Era, on April 28. Tickets are $150 and proceeds will go to the NGO.

“If any person or corporation would like to buy tickets because we are a charity, this will count as a donation to the shelter so it’s tax-deductible.”

The safehouse was closed for two and a half years for major renovations but reopened in September 2021 with its capacity increased from 12 to 21. However, it is operating at 75 per cent owing to covid19 regulations.

These regulations also mean that new residents must take a PCR test before and after a 14-day quarantine in a separate room.

According to Harford, during the pandemic construction paused for a while, the NGO was unable to do any major fundraising, and the staff and committee were unable to assist as many people as they would have liked.

[caption id="attachment_946876" align="alignnone" width="837"] Sherron Harford, vice chair of The Shelter, an NGO and charity. Photo courtesy Sherron Harford. -[/caption]

“We were not in a position to take in a full requirement of people even though requests and reports of domestic violence went up 20 per cent during the pandemic. We were limited until we were able to complete the renovations and then we had to follow the Ministry of Health’s regulations.”

If another organisation called asking for assistance with a new client, they could only offer telephone counselling. Past residents were also offered the service but, in addition, the staff would check in on them to see how they were doing and if they needed any assistance.

By reaching out to friends, companies, the public, and people in the diaspora, the staff organised several hampers after determining what people needed the most.

“It wasn’t ideal but we did the best that we could. It was frustrating because we knew the numbers were climbing, but we had to wait until we finished the renovations and got the staff trained before we could take in whoever we were allowed to.

“Everyone knew there were more out there who weren’t getting the help they needed and it was equally frustrating for everyone. The feeling was two-fold. There is a part of you that wants to ensure you put your best foot forward and not compromise on the quality of care or empathy that is given but there is also the feeling of failure for not helping everyone who needs it.”

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