Growing up in the '50s and '60s, domestic violence was one of those things that few people heard about and even fewer acknowledged as a problem. I grew up in a house where there was abuse, physical and emotional. My mother, who worked full-time and raised 7 children did not leave. Years later, I asked her why she stayed- she replied that she thought of leaving, but that it was different back then - you didn’t leave and there was no place to go.

Today, an act of Domestic Violence occurs every 15 seconds in this country . Last year Harbor House assisted over 400 clients through direct services, including 158 women and children for emergency shelter. In addition they handled 6,000 hotline calls. Unfortunately had to turn away nearly 100 clients, 58 of those children. All clients that were turned away were given referrals to other shelters. But try to imagine, just for a minute, that you have finally gathered the courage to get away, with the promise that there is help, just to be told that actually, you will need to drive to Will County , or Cook County .

My hope is that someday, we will not need an agency like Harbor House, not because we deny the problem, but because the need no longer exists. That is a lofty goal- but in the interim- I would hope that NOBODY will ever be turned away from the door because of a lack of resources.

Together we can help make this goal a reality.

This is a very important fundraiser. I hope that you will support the work that the people at Harbor House do by making a tax deductable donation to the Ride for Shelter Campaign today.

If you want more information go to www.harborhousedv.org

See you on the road.

Jim