Guarantee Shelters to Victims of Domestic Violence

As the sole organization on the island providing comprehensive shelter services to victims of domestic violence, we continue our critical mission amidst escalating challenges. The demand for our safe shelter, emergency housing, and temporary rental support has surged, placing immense strain on our limited capacity. In 2025 to date, we have provided vital shelter support to 248 women and their children, facilitating their escape from immediate danger and offering a foundation for recovery. This support, which includes emergency relocation, temporary shelter, and rental assistance for up to six months, was delivered at a total cost of approximately $98,000. Each case is accompanied by essential rehabilitation services—including counseling, food, and medical aid—ensuring a holistic approach to safety and healing for the families we serve.

However, our ability to meet this urgent need is being severely compromised by a perfect storm of external pressures. A significant and sustained reduction in funding, largely attributable to shifts in U.S. foreign aid policies initiated during the current administration, has drastically curtailed our operational budget. These financial constraints arrive precisely as the socio-economic aftermath of recent global crises drives a visible increase in domestic violence incidents and reporting on the island. We are thus caught between the imperative to expand our services and the harsh reality of having fewer resources with which to do so. This contradiction forces impossible choices daily, stretching our shelter facilities beyond their intended capacity and creating agonizing waitlists for life-saving support.

Despite these profound hurdles, our commitment remains unwavering. Every woman and child provided safety is a testament to the resilience of our community and the generosity of our supporters. Yet, the path forward is precarious. To continue serving as the island's only haven from domestic violence, we urgently require flexible funding to bridge the gap left by lost grants, to secure affordable housing partnerships for longer-term rental support, and to maintain the wraparound services that are crucial for true independence. We appeal to our GlobalGiving community to help us sustain this lifeline. Your continued partnership is not merely a donation; it is a direct investment in the safety, dignity, and future of survivors who have nowhere else to turn.