Jewish Women’s Group Dedicates Children’s Library at Detroit Shelter

Library at YWMC Interim House is Jewish Women International’s 52nd in domestic violence shelters nationwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
Meredith Jacobs, VP Communications
(d) 202-464-4803//(c) 301-529-8591

April 1, 2016                                                        

Washington, D.C. – JWI (Jewish Women International), the premier international Jewish women’s organization working to end domestic and sexual violence against women and girls, will dedicate a brand new children’s library at a domestic violence shelter on April 6th in Detroit, MI. The library, to be housed in the YWCA Interim House-YWCA Metropolitan Detroit, is funded by Hopeline from Verizon. This grant is one in a series of grants Verizon is giving to state-wide domestic violence prevention organizations.

JWI’s National Library Initiative is working toward establishing 100 children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters across the country. The library in Detroit is the 52nd to open as part of the initiative.

“JWI’s National Library Initiative puts the children front and center by providing a sanctuary where each child can find the comfort that only a good book and a safe place can provide,” said JWI’s CEO Lori Weinstein. “Our philanthropic commitment is anchored by our work across the country educating, training and advocating for the end of domestic violence.”

YWCA Interim House is a unit of the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit, serves 700 families during the course of a year and is the first and largest shelter in Michigan. The shelter was established in 1979 with a goal of helping every woman and child recover from the effects of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing safety options for building healthy relationships. They offer services to battered women and their children in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment. The average length of stay is 60 days.

“We are so excited at the shelter to have the support that JWI is providing for our library,” said Curtis France, shelter administrator for YWCA Interim House. “The books will give the children much to read during the next year. They will be able to come into the childcare center and have an array of new materials to explore. And the two new computers will give both mothers and children access to the internet. These are incredible gifts allow for comfort and education—critical tools to allow our mothers and children the ability to move forward and build new lives.”

If press is interested in attending the event, please contact Meredith Jacobs at mjacobs@jwi.org or 202-464-4803.

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Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to end violence against women and girls domestically and internationally. JWI is a Steering Committee member of NO MORE and the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women and convenes the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force to End Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community, and is a member of the Gun Violence Table. JWI’s advocacy efforts focus on the passage of legislation that supports women and girls, ensures their economic security, and protects their right to live free of violence.