By: Michelle Miller, Journal Staff Writer
1:19 AM PDT
The PEACE for Families board of directors has known for years that
their shelter was inadequate to meet the needs of women and children in
crisis.
But for a new shelter, the non-profit that annually takes in $150,000
from donors, needed to come up with the gargantuan figure of $2.5
million.
"Intimidating is the tip of the iceberg," said Arla Gibson, executive
director, on beginning the long road to raising money for the
shelter.
But with the help of volunteers and the consulting firm Millennium
Advantage, PEACE for Families is now only $200,000 shy of their
goal.
"It's been an inspiring process," Gibson said. "I really never doubted
where we were with the goal because the support of the community has
been wonderful."
The firm conducted a feasibility study in November 2002 analyzing the
base of current donors and targeting newer ones, many of whom didn't
know the shelter existed.
"In doing the planning study and interviews, we found out we didn't
have a lot of awareness. People knew domestic violence existed, but
didn't think it was really here in Placer County," said Michael Moore,
a fund-raising campaign consultant. "We wanted to, of course, get
enough money but also create a heightened awareness of domestic
violence in the community, and along with that heightened awareness
comes a desire to get involved."
A team of volunteers, including Placer County Sheriff Ed Bonner,
Roseville Mayor Gina Garbolino, and county supervisors Ted Gaines and
Robert Weygandt, reached out to the community.
"They had a real hands-on approach," Moore said. "They were down in the
trenches."
Some of the larger donors include area developers Edith and Eli Broad,
who gave $100,000. The Building Industry Association's charitable
organization Home Aid will provide construction of the site, valued at
$1 million. Countrywide Mortgage pledged $100,000 to cover any
construction costs above and beyond that.
The United Auburn Indian Community gave a gift of $50,000 toward a
children's playroom, then another $50,000 was given once those funds
were matched.
"The tribe feels very fortunate to be in the position of helping the
community, particularly those who are least likely to help themselves,"
said Doug Elmets, spokesman for the tribe. "Funding this new emergency
shelter for battered women and families is, the tribe feels, absolutely
critical."
Those that have been personally touched by PEACE for Families gave to
the effort as well.
During fund-raising, Gibson visited a county department to accept their
gift of $500. As she was leaving, a woman followed her out the door and
stopped her, holding out her hand in a fist to give her $100.
"She said, 'I want to give you this. I just want you to know you helped
me when I had nowhere else to go, no job, no anything.' And here she is
now working in a county department full-time with benefits," Gibson
said. "Those donations from the heart are so meaningful to show our
services and staff are doing what we say we do. I just cried."
The fund-raising will not stop here, though. PEACE for Families will be
looking for additional funds to keep the shelter up and running.
Household items, such as linens, dishes, pots, soap, paper towels and
office supplies, are always needed, she said.
"Anything you use at home, we use five or six times more often," Gibson
said.
