Shirley’s House of Hope Helps Women in Crisis
Submitted by Julie Cravillion, Executive Director
Shirley’s House of Hope began in 2007, when Sue Poole and Julie Cravillion realized that 300 families a year were seeking services related to domestic violence in Marshfield. They knew that something had to be done to provide a safe, healing place for women and children. It was a small start with a steering committee being formed in 2008. A 7000 sq. ft. building was secured to house seven women and their children. Rooms in the building were adopted by churches, individuals and organizations to be remodeled and furnished. Volunteer staff was trained and the shelter opened October 1, 2010.
The faith-based shelter provides emergency housing and a six-month healing program for women and their children. Shirley’s House of Hope’s mission is to rebuild, renew and restores lives of women and children hurting from domestic violence. While staying at the shelter basic needs of food, clothing and transportation are provided. Women are given assistance in securing housing, legal advocacy and job readiness skills.
Women in the program also attend classes on domestic violence including setting healthy boundaries, forgiveness, parenting, and bible studies like “Breaking Free”. Church attendance is required to help the women form healthy relationships with others in the community who can support them after leaving Shirley’s. Case management, life skills and counseling are also a part of the program.
Shirley’s House of Hope has filled a vital need in the community for women and children hurting from domestic violence. They have served over 300 women and children in the past 6 years. The state-run shelter in Wisconsin Rapids is often full and they can only provide 6 weeks of shelter. Women hurting from domestic violence need to live in a healthy environment for at least 6 months to change lifestyle patterns and break free from destructive life choices.
Domestic violence is at an epidemic level. One in three women experience domestic violence in some time in their life. In Wood County about 300 incidents are reported every year. Police respond to a domestic violence call every other day. In 2015, eight homicides were related to domestic violence in Wood, Marathon, Juneau, Clark and Portage counties combined.
Shirley’s House of Hope is funded by the generous and compassionate people in the Marshfield and surrounding communities. We have non-profit status and receive no government funding. Because of our large volunteer base 90% of all monies donated provide direct services for the women and children at Shirley’s. We have two events that raise funds for the shelter every year, Striking Out Domestic Violence in April and The Marshfield Iron Chef/Silent & Live Auction in November.
This is one woman’s story after graduating from the program:
Ronnie’s Story
“Abandoned and isolated. That’s how I would describe my childhood.” When I was 5 years old, my Mom married a man who abused me physically and sexually. For days at a time, I was left by myself to care for my newborn sister.
My mother introduced me to drugs by age 13 and I stayed high through most of high school. Then I discovered meth. I stole it from my mother’s supply and started selling. That’s when she kicked me out of the house.
I married Mike, a meth dealer. Staying high was my main goal until I realized I was pregnant and “something came over me.” I quit using drugs, but Mike became abusive and kept me from leaving our home. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I moved in with my mother. She then, became my abuser: lying, stealing and controlling.
My life continued to spin out of control with two more children and a drug arrest. Then my mother took me for a drive, dropped me off at Shirley’s House of Hope and sold all my belongings including my car.
I thought, “This is a crazy place, I am not doing this.” After a hospital stay to withdraw from yet another drug relapse, I realized that Shirley’s is my chance to change. It is a safe place for my girls; we have a room of our own and a bed to sleep in.
Now I have graduated from the 6 month healing program. Learning about God’s love and forgiveness was huge. I am off probation and I have a job that I enjoy. There is hope for a better life. My life has meaning and purpose for the first time.
