DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER UNVEILS ‘GARDEN OF HOPE'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kathryn Black, Executive Director
La Casa de las Madres
1850 Mission Street, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: 415-503-0500
www.lacasa.org

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER UNVEILS ‘GARDEN OF HOPE'

San Francisco, CA—January 10, 2002—La Casa de las Madres, San Francisco's oldest and largest shelter for battered women, teens and children, will unveil its ‘Garden of Hope' for shelter residents on February 2, 2002 at 3 pm. The garden represents true community collaboration, led by Marilee Gaffney of Marilee A. Gaffney Design, with donated patio furniture, fountains, plants, and flowers from local businesses, as well as significant monetary donations from area foundations and individuals.

The Garden of Hope transforms La Casa's shelter surroundings. The children's side of the garden includes a magical, brightly-colored ‘Robin Hood's Fort' playhouse, where an old, metal structure once stood. The fort was built at a discounted rate by local designer/builder Barbara Butler, who was recently commissioned by Robert Redford to design a global-village play area and a children's theater for the Sundance Institute in Utah.

The other section of the Garden of Hope is a picturesque sitting area for women shelter residents, surrounded by flowers and citrus plants, with a central water feature donated by local sculptor Archie Held. The colorful, artistically-designed garden makes an enormous difference at the shelter, not only in appearance, but also in the attitudes and behaviors of residents. La Casa's women and children show increased appreciation and care for the shelter. The beautification of the shelter's surroundings has raised the spirit of our residents and staff.

Although La Casa's shelter is in a confidential location, we are inviting press and donors to come view the results of this monumental project. If you are interested in attending the ceremony and viewing Garden of Hope, or for more information, contact Lisa Polacci at the La Casa's business office at 415-503-0500. Before and after photos of the garden project are also available.

AGENCY INFORMATION
La Casa de las Madres is a nonprofit organization and offers emergency residential shelter to women and their children while providing advocacy, counseling, family-based services and referrals. In addition to our Emergency Shelter Program, La Casa runs two 24-hour Crisis Hotlines, a Drop-In Counseling Center, the Teen Intervention & Prevention Program, and a Community Education & Outreach Program. All services are free, confidential and bilingual English/Spanish.




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