Shelter a safe – and now nicer – place
Running a non-profit organization can be a financial strain. For SafePlace of Austin, the budget goes almost entirely to providing shelter and counseling to about 5,000 victims of domestic and sexual violence annually. So some other matters — like just sprucing up the campus — can go overlooked.
“We can’t easily allot funds to run ( beautification) projects because we typically put all our money toward services,” says Steven Olender, community relations coordinator for SafePlace.
The organization got help from the Real Estate Council of Austin on last year’s Make A Difference Day. RECA recruited 115 members to build a walking trail behind SafePlace’s family shelter, along with a new playground, a sitting area and granite benches.
“They made our campus a much more beautiful space, especially with the playground for the younger kids,” Olender says. “This was the greatest gift for SafePlace.”
Malisa DiGiacomo, research and grants coordinator for Sa- fePlace, says that RECA’s efforts are key to helping families in difficult circumstances.
“Many come from poverty and homelessness situations and are working to build better, violence-free lives” DiGiacomo says.
Chico Parker, a RECA member, says his organization conducted a search among Austin-area groups in need and choose to help SafePlace because of the “wonderful work they do in the community.”
Overall, the money donated for RECA’s project was about $170,000. All of the money was donated by RECA’s Leadership Development Council and members.
“When people come together to do these sorts of things for us, it makes a huge difference because we would never be able to do this on our own,” Olender says. “Make A Difference Day should be happening everywhere. Things like this need to be encouraged.”