For over 20 years, the Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, NJ, has contributed annually and in various ways to the efforts of Providence House, a local agency of Catholic Charities that provides care for families suffering from domestic violence.

This year, the goal of the parish’s Inreach-Outreach Ministry was to do something that would benefit Providence House and its families in a tangible way and have a positive, long-lasting impact.

In consultation with the Providence House staff, it was agreed that the Ministry would explore funds for replacing the aging washer and dryer used within the Safe House program, a 27-bed facility in which so far, this year, more than 212 survivors and their children have resided.

The Ministry was aware of the Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund and its goal of providing financial support for “parishes with innovative approaches to advancing the mission of Orthodoxy in the United States.” The Ministry applied and its request for $2,000.00 was accepted by the Foundation for the purchase of the washer and dryer.

On Sunday, October 12, at the end of the Divine Liturgy the check was officially presented to Barbara Katz, Consumer Affairs Manager, representing Providence House.

In gratefully accepting the Grant, Barbara noted that with October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, “the timing feels very right for me to have the opportunity to speak to you.”

She continued: “It is essential for the healing of our families that we offer stability and consistency since they come from lives filled with chaos, unpredictability and trauma. The Safe House provides predictability with scheduled group meetings, communal meals, routine chores, and fully functioning appliances!! In order for the house to be a safe and stable place for clients, the house itself has to be in good working order. And our staff want and need to be focused on helping our clients, not dealing with broken appliances.

The new washer and dryer that the church is donating is an essential component to ensuring that the clients’ basic needs are met so that they can do the difficult work of healing and building a new life. It is truly a blessing to be able to say to someone who is struggling for their very survival ‘we’ve got this covered, all you have to do is take care of you.’

A little bit of information about Providence House Domestic Violence Services:

We have been the lead domestic violence services agency in Burlington County, NJ for 47 years. One of the most important things to know about our services is that they are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL for survivors and their children. Within the community, we are most known for our Safe House, which is the heart of our services, and we also provide a continuum of care services to support survivors from crisis, trauma and fear to independence and a violence free life.

We have a 24-hour hotline answered by a human person and in time of AI and chat bots, talking to a person can make all the difference for someone reaching out for help.

A Domestic Violence Response Team of specially trained volunteers who meet with survivors at police stations and hospitals after an incident of domestic violence.

We provide domestic violence education and support groups, case management and housing support, legal advocacy at Burlington County Superior Court, domestic violence liaisons at the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, and a creative arts therapy program for child witnesses of domestic violence.