Women's Shelter Fills a Need in Walla Walla

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Story Published: Jun 24, 2009 at 5:54 PM PST

By Lena Vargas

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A new women's shelter in Walla Walla has been open barely two weeks and already it's nearly full. The non-profit that runs the shelter, Helpline, says it will serve about 40 women a month. It does take in domestic violence victims, but the main focus is on homeless women. That includes women now in need after losing their jobs.

"Well it's unique in that they have unique vulnerabilities to life on the street. You know life on the street is violent and that has a profound effect upon a woman”, said Dan Willms with Helpline.

Fifteen percent of the money for this new shelter came from the federal stimulus package.

The non-profit says it costs them about $20 a day to house a woman at the shelter. But it costs more than 60 dollars to house her at the only local motel that works with them in town.

Besides shelter, Helpline also helps women transition into new jobs, gain new skills, and get their children back if their housing problems have kept them apart.

For more information:
Helpline (509) 529-3377
www.helplineww.org

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