Local Interior Designers Support Victims of Domestic Violence

The Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE) is a not-for-profit organization in Charlottesville, Virginia providing comprehensive services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

In 2009, a vision for establishing a major fundraising event to help sustain the Shelter’s residential facilities operations and outreach established the Design House event.

The Lodge at Old Trail supports this endeavor by annually showcasing Design House in a preview event as a part of our Third Thursday series.  On Thursday, April 16th, at 5:30pm, The Lodge will host a member of the Design House 2015 team to discuss what went into creating this year’s featured home.

The idea for a Design House to benefit SHE had its roots in the new emergency residential shelter opened in 2008. As the first facility designed specifically for victims of domestic violence in our community, it was important that the shelter should be bright, airy and welcoming.

For most of us, that ideal is the essence of our concept of “home.” At home, we all seek to be comforted and nurtured. At home, we open our hearts. And each year, a Charlottesville-area homeowner opens their heart and generously extends the use of his or her residence for the Design House event. Designers and their vendors assigned to individual rooms and spaces showcase their talents and the latest in interior design styles and techniques. The result is a unique tour for visitors, where each room reflects a designer’s creative vision and provides endless and inspiring ideas for the home.

The Shelter offers a variety of services designed to empower victims of domestic violence and create a community of support. Every year they respond to nearly 1,000 hotline calls, provide close to 4,000 nights of safe shelter to more than 200 women and children and assist many other victims of domestic violence through outreach services.

Shelter services include:

• 24-hour crisis hotline
• 24-hour emergency shelter
• Supportive individual and group counseling
• Case management
• Child and adolescent advocacy
• Information and referrals
• Court accompaniment & legal advocacy
• Outreach and support to the Spanish-speaking community
• Community education & allied professional training

For more information about SHE, contact them at info@shelterforhelpinemergency.org.

To find out more about Design House and how it benefits SHE, please join us on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30pm and see what the amazing designers have in store for you as we gain insight into Design House 2015.