Benefitting the Women’s Center
The Rosenberg Police Department is kicking-off a two-week donation drive benefiting the Fort Bend County Women’s Center, a non-profit organization assisting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. Items can be dropped off beginning September 26 through October 7, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Rosenberg Police Department’s headquarters located at 2120 4th Street in Rosenberg.
Donations of gently used clothing (women’s, men’s and children), dishware, shoes, linens, accessories, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods and toys are needed. Large houseware items such as washers, dryers, refrigerators and furniture are also accepted and must be picked up separately at a place of residence or business by calling (281) 342-5004 to arrange a convenient time. All items must be in working condition to be accepted.
The number of women and children seeking refuge in the shelter is on the rise and testing the Women’s Center’s resources. With today’s uncertain times, unemployment and other challenging factors, the shelter is operating at full capacity levels and needs the community’s help. This is a great opportunity to clean out your closets or garages and bring those lightly used items that you haven’t used for months or years and help a worthy cause.
“Women and children often come to the Women’s Center’s emergency shelter with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The generous donations from the community allow us to meet the immediate needs our clients,” says Vita Goodell, executive director of the Women’s Center.
Donations received also stock the Women’s Center’s PennyWise Resale Centers. Net proceeds from the PennyWise Resale Centers’ sales underwrite the Women’s Center services to help survivors become self-sufficient and also afford them an opportunity to find free clothing, furniture, and other household items to establish a household independent of their batterers when they leave the shelter.
The PennyWise Resale Centers not only work to establish a strong tradition of giving back to the survivors of abuse but also make quality goods available to the public at low-reduced costs at their three convenient locations. The stores are the second largest revenue source for the agency.
“We are always looking for ways to reduce the impact that crime has in our community. By partnering with the Fort Bend County Women’s Center, together we are able to provide victims of domestic violence with the community resources, services and help they need to prevent them from becoming a victim in the future. The Women’s Center provides a valuable service to the residents of The City of Rosenberg and Fort Bend County. The Rosenberg Police Department is a proud partner in their efforts to combat domestic violence in our community,” says Chief Robert Gracia, Rosenberg Police Department.
October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple ribbons are being worn to honor survivors and those domestic violence victims who did not survive the struggle.
Through the generous donations from the community and corporations, the Women’s Center is able to provide a 24-hour crisis hotline, an emergency shelter, counseling, outreach services, court advocacy and other services. In over 30 years of serving the community, the agency has helped more than 30,000 women and children achieve violence-free lifestyles. The agency’s mission is to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children while striving to end violence against women. For more information about the Center or the services it offers, call 281-344-5750.
Donations are also accepted at the PennyWise Resale Center-Richmond location, 1120A Highway 90A; Stafford location,13945 Murphy Road, and Mission Bend/Houston location, 6806 Highway 6 South at Bellaire, Monday through Sunday. Please call (281) 344-5770 for donation drop off hours or large item pick-ups. To coordinate a donation drive in your area or company, please call Liz Moreno at (281) 344-5784 for more details.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, please call the Center’s 24-hour Hotline at 281-342-4357 (HELP). Visit the Fort Bend County Women’s Center website for further details on the services they offer.