Catholic Charities Receives $5,000 Grant from Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, recently received a $5,000 grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa in support of the organization’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program. The grant will be used to purchase new beds and bedding for the program’s emergency shelter.

The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program provides free and confidential services to victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse and human trafficking across nine counties in Southwest Iowa. Services include a 24/7 crisis line, individual counseling, educational support groups, legal advocacy, hospital response, housing and economic advocacy and an emergency shelter. The shelter offers a safe place for women, men and children to begin healing from their trauma.

“At Catholic Charities, serving clients with dignity is a top priority, and at the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelter, that goal requires our establishment of a safe and comfortable home for our clients to begin the process of healing,” said Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, William M. Joensen.

The program’s emergency shelter is made up of eight rooms: four family rooms with four beds in each room, and four single rooms with two beds in each room. The shelter is typically at capacity, last year serving 221 individuals as they healed physically and mentally from the effects of violence in their lives. The length of stay varies and is based on the individual needs and goals set by the survivor. A primary objective of the program is to provide a safe, clean and welcoming space for victims and survivors to grow and feel empowered.

The current mattresses in the emergency shelter are 12 years old and in need of updating. Grant funds will allow for the purchase of new beds and bedding.

“We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant from the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa,” said Carrie Potter, Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program Manager. “The new beds will allow for enhanced comfort for our shelter guests.”

“The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa is honored to provide a $5,000 grant to support new mattresses and bedding for the domestic violence shelter,” said Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa, Sue McEntee. “Everyone deserves a safe, comfortable place to rest and recover. This funding helps ensure survivors have the dignity and comfort they need as they rebuild their lives.”

To learn more about the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program, visit catholiccharitiesdm.org/services/domestic-violence-sexual-assault.

The Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa is a non-profit, charitable organization that assists individuals, parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations across the 23-county Diocese of Des Moines as they seek to secure and provide long-term financial support. To learn more, visit catholicfoundationiowa.org.