The Hospitality House for Women, Inc. has experienced an uptick in calls to its crisis hotline since Georgia’s shelter in place order expired, says Executive Director Lynn Rousseau. Call volume was unexpectedly low during the time that the statewide order was in effect; Rousseau speculates that this could be because local victims of domestic violence were sheltered in place with their abusers.
Some of the families sheltered by the house have been able to find a home of their own in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, indicates Rousseau, who adds that all clients of the house were required to comply with the shelter in place order while it was in effect.
Rousseau now anticipates an influx of clients who are facing evictions. And, of course, coronavirus remains a threat. She attests that the house is making every effort to help clients be safer in their own homes.
The Hospitality House Thrift Store, 610 Shorter Avenue, has reopened to the public, adds Rousseau. She hopes that the community will shop the store as a way to support the house (as it is much needed at this time). Locals may also donate online at www.hospitalityhouseforwomen.org.
Rousseau adds that the temporary emergency shelter for the homeless which was established on Kingston Avenue last month is slated to close at the end of this week. Efforts are being made to ensure that those who have been served by that shelter have somewhere to go when it closes.