Domestic Violence Safe House Gets a Bob’s Discount Furniture Makeover

Bridgeport, Ct – Residents of a local safe house which provides shelter and support to victims of domestic violence have been treated to a home makeover thanks to a generous donation from Bob’s Discount Furniture and its charitable foundation.

Kathie’s Place, the 15-bed safe house operated by The Center for Family Justice, which serves victims of domestic and sexual violence and child abuse in six local communities, recently received a grant for $30,000 worth of new furniture from Manchester-based Bob’s Discount Furniture chain.

The grant from the Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation made it possible for CFJ to replace the furniture in every room at Kathie’s Place, marking the first time in a decade that the safe house, which is located in an undisclosed location to protect the safety of its residents, had received new furnishings.

“This incredibly generous gift from Bob’s Discount Furniture has been an extraordinary one for both our clients and staff,” said Debra A. Greenwood, CFJ’s President & CEO. “Our clients come to us seeking safety, shelter and support for themselves and their children as they work to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence. Being able to live in beautiful surroundings thanks to the incredible generosity of the Bob’s Discount Furniture chain has already had an incredible impact on their sense of well-being.” 

“We are honored to be able to contribute to improving the living conditions for these deserving women and children,” said Cathy Poulin, Director of Public Relations and Outreach for Bob’s Discount Furniture. “Supporting our local community is one of the many focuses of Bob’s Outreach team and we’re happy to be able to help Kathie’s Place.” 

Greenwood noted the gift was a significant one because Kathie’s Place, like other domestic violence shelters around the state, has been operating over capacity for the past several years. Last year, safe houses around the state were at 122 percent of capacity, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

Domestic violence is known to be the leading cause of homelessness for women and children across the United States. 

“We see so many clients during a typical year, that our furniture gets a tremendous amount of use,” explains Greenwood. “As a nonprofit, budgeting for beautiful new furnishings is a luxury we typically cannot afford, but our clients deserve to live in attractive, comfortable surroundings. So that makes this donation so meaningful and appreciated.” 

Greenwood recently met with staff at the Bob’s Discount Furniture store in Bridgeport to thank them for the support and generosity they have shown toward CFJ and its Kathie’s Place residents. “Working with the entire team at Bob’s Discount Furniture to make this happen for our clients has been a wonderful experience,” said Greenwood. “We’ve been impressed with their professionalism as well as the care and concern they have shown for our clients throughout the process.” 

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE

The Center for Family Justice Inc. brings all domestic, sexual and child abuse services – crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counseling – under one roof, in our headquarters in Bridgeport, CT. Together, we work to break the cycle of violence by helping those in crisis restore their lives. Although our name has changed, we continue with the work we have provided for 12 decades, providing free, confidential, bilingual crisis services in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. It is the comprehensive services our partners are providing that are streamlining the road to healing and self-sufficiency. 

Within the past year, CFJ answered more than 1000 calls on a 24-hour crisis hotline; assisted with the civil and criminal court processes for more than 2,500 survivors of domestic violence; responded to more than 500 survivors of sexual assault and their families; provided a safe home for more than 150  women and children fleeing domestic abuse; coordinated the investigations of more than 283  cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse, developing service plans for the young survivors and their families; and provided psycho-educational support to more than 1,200 survivors of domestic violence, planning for their safety and promoting self-sufficiency.

As part of our mission, CFJ educates approximately 4,600 members of the community about the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse to prevent future violence and spread the word that about the services we offer at The Center for Family Justice. 

For more information, visit www.CenterForFamilyJustice.org.