An Important Year to Support Carolyn’s House

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the New England Journal of Medicine, the COVID-19 caused a crisis within a crisis.  Domestic violence increased about five times more than the normal incidents, while at the same time, reporting of domestic violence was down about 50%, due to the victims’ inability to safely connect with a service while homebound with their abuser.

Social and economic factors can play a major role in the increase of domestic violence, and closures of schools or childcare facilities increase this even further.

Coincidentally, every year the staff at Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates selects a “charity of the year,” for their “Friday Jean Days,” and last year they voted to have Carolyn’s House from the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier as their 2020 charity of choice.

Carolyn’s house is a supportive housing program for homeless women and children, with the mission of helping women achieve self-sufficiency and the ability to live independently through education, counseling, advocacy, supportive services and housing.

Carolyn’s House opened in 2005, providing 19 apartments with on-site support services, with most of the women and children entering the house having experienced trauma, including domestic violence and/or sexual assault.  Over 500 women and children have found refuge and a path to dignity over the last 15 years at Carolyn’s house, which was named after Community Advocate, Carolyn Van Schaik.

The organization is always in need of support from the community, including cookware, bedding, hygiene items, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Emerling Floss Murphy & Associates proudly raised an additional $2,000 through their Jean Day fundraising, in a year that seems to need the support more than ever.

If you are interested in joining EFM&A in supporting Carolyn’s House, please visit ywcaniagarafontier.org.