Lance P
Dallas, TX
Posts: 224 Events: 127
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The Dallas Association of Young Lawyers has organized a fundraiser to help rebuild the New Beginning Shelter in Garland. The fundraiser will be held at Fuse Restaurant (treet w:st="on">1512 Commerce Streettreet>) at 6:00 on Wednesday October 4th. Admission is $15, which includes drinks and appetizers. I hope to see you there. NEWSROOM: PRESS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: | Dixie Allen, Community Education and laceName w:st="on">PubliclaceName> laceName w:st="on">RelationslaceName> laceName w:st="on">CoordinatorlaceName>
laceName w:st="on">NewlaceName> laceName w:st="on">BeginninglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType>
972.276.0423 ext. 229
dallen@newbeginningcenter.org |
FIRE AT NEW laceName w:st="on">BEGINNINGlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CENTERlaceType> DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER
(Garland, TX - August 1, 2006) - A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the New Beginning Center Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter. The shelter, which at the time was housing 14 adults and 16 children, provides safe shelter, counseling, food and other support services to families affected by domestic violence. The shelter was evacuated after a staff member smelled smoke and called 911. All residents and staff made it out of the shelter safely.
New laceName w:st="on">BeginninglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> was founded in 1983 and fosters an environment of safety, support and respect for families affected by domestic violence through shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, education, advocacy, and diverse community partnerships. Services offered at New Beginning Center include emergency shelter, counseling, case management, a 24-hour crisis line, community education, Battering Intervention and Prevention Program, and a volunteer program. All services to adult and child victims of domestic violence are free of charge.
"On behalf of the clients who have been safely relocated, I would like to thank the Garland Fire Department, the Red Cross, and DART for their help. It is only with this level of community support that New Beginning Center can continue to help these women and children as well as other families affected by domestic violence", said Jennifer Morrison, Executive Director of New Beginning Center. "Sadly, the current condition of the shelter makes it uninhabitable leaving 33 fewer safe beds for families fleeing violence in their homes."
The fire started outside of the shelter, but quickly spread into the kitchen and dining room. The remainder of the shelter has extensive smoke damage. Arson is not suspected and the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental.
The New Beginning Center Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter houses over 500 women and children each year. "Most of these clients are literally running for their lives", says Andy de Waal, Community Development Director. "For them to cope with a fire on top of the trauma of being a victim of domestic violence living in a shelter is very concerning."
Demands for services from laceName w:st="on">NewlaceName> laceName w:st="on">BeginninglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> continue to rise despite reductions in funding. The agency recently learned that it will not receive Emergency Shelter Grant funds from the State of tate w:st="on">Texastate>. Additionally, funding was reduced from both Garland and Mesquite Community Development Block Grants. However, the agency is dedicated to finding ways to continue to meet clients’ needs.
"Just because funding cuts occur, does not mean people stop needing safety, nourishing meals, or counseling. New laceName w:st="on">BeginninglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> is dedicated to offering top quality services for families affected by domestic violence", says Jennifer Morrison. "Naturally the community support the agency has always enjoyed is now more important than ever."
New laceName w:st="on">BeginninglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> will continue to offer services at the outreach locations in Garland, Mesquite, and Vickery Meadow portion of Dallas. Furthermore, the agency will continue to operate its 24 hour crisis line (972-276-0057) to assist people in need. Staff will advocate for victims needing shelter to find safety in another domestic violence shelter in the DFW area. |