Hands-on collaboration for families escaping violence
February 21st, 2017
By RedRover Relief Program Coordinator II, Laurel Meleski
In November, my colleague Rachel and I had the privilege of working alongside our amazing RedRover Responders volunteers on a special collaboration to help domestic violence victims and their pets in Longview, Washington.
Working together with Rescue Rebuild, our task was to transform three rooms at Emergency Support Shelter (ESS) into pet-friendly, co-sheltering spaces.
Over the course of five days, our volunteers — who jumped in with gusto — joined Rachel and me as we learned how to tile, build a chain-link fence, install dog-doors, paint, build adorable cat bridges and a hundred other things! We went home every night sore and covered in dirt, dust and rain…but nobody complained about the work.
The staff and residents of ESS were overwhelmingly grateful. In fact, one staff member told us, “Not even 24 hours after you left we filled all three rooms with new families and their pets. The need is great, and we are so thankful to have the opportunity to meet the need with our beautiful pet-friendly rooms!”
With your support, we were able to leave a legacy of love for four-legged family members in need. Thank you!
Learn more about our Safe Housing grant program at RedRover.org/SafeHousing.
