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Alderman House helping victims of domestic violence

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It’s almost time once again to say, “Hat’s Off” to the Gila Safe Haven/Alderman House during its second annual fundraiser Saturday, May 18.

Reservations must be made by Friday, April 5.

The Alderman House is the result of a community effort last year to continue a much-needed service to the area.

After Horizon Health and Wellness announced it would close its domestic violence safe house at the end of April 2018, GILA House, a local nonprofit, stepped up to help fill the void.

Serving the Globe-Miami area since January 2010, GILA House provides “general interim living assistance (GILA) to families who have suffered a life-altering event that could result in homelessness.”

GILA House operates both Nye House in Miami and Fetterman House in Globe, housing people — especially those with low incomes — who have been burned out of their homes.

Thanks to the efforts of GILA House and Gila County Community Services, the newly dubbed Alderman House Domestic Violence Safe Home opened in November 2018.

The facility was named after then-Globe City Councilman Lerry Alderman, a strong supporter of domestic violence services in the community.

Partners in the endeavor included Signal Peak Community Foundation, the United Fund and several faith-based community organizations, as well as Gila County Community Services and 2nd Chance Clothing and Donation in Claypool.

While Gila County provided the house through a long-term lease, “we had to do all the work to get it ready for people to live there,” and was not ready until November 2018, said Malissa Buzan, GILA House president and director of the County Community Services Division.

In May, it will be a little more than one year since the 24/7 domestic violence hotline — 928-961-6163 — was established.

“We began taking calls and doing transport,” on May 1, 2018. Since then, Alderman House has “helped at least 30 people, which is a lot,” Gillis said.

“We had three today alone,” she said during a phone interview last week.

Callers are asked questions, such as if they are safe and OK to talk, whether or not they are homeless due to a domestic violence situation, and how many children they have, if any.

In some cases, their “abuser is trying to find them or is tracking them down,” and they have to be relocated.

“I’ve driven three or four (of the 30) elsewhere because of that,” Gillis said.

Victims range in age from young to in their 70s, and, while some are single, which Gillis described as “unusual,” most have a partner or spouse and children.

For those needing emergency shelter, the 10-bed Alderman House is there.

“Some will stay one night, some longer while they figure out what they’re doing and where they’re going,” Gillis said.

Some callers only want information and Alderman House provides them with “safety planning” for their particular situation.

Alderman House also continues to support those who leave the shelter. Gillis gives the example of helping a woman who moved out on her own to get furniture for her new home.

“We want victims of domestic violence to feel confident that they always have a safe place to go,” Gillis said.

“It’s been a challenge, but it’s been good to see the community come together for a project like this and show their support of it,” Buzan said. “I’m glad that we accepted this challenge and glad that we did this. It’s been a learning experience, but it’s been a good one.”

Debbie Cox, secretary/treasurer for the GILA House board, wants to make sure the community knows that Alderman House is there for them.

Cox said the board members last year were “pleased that a facility for domestic violence was still available for our community.”

“We want to get the word out that the Alderman House is operational and available to assist those persons in need,” she told the Silver Belt.

When the initial shelter closed in April 2018, “the community was not aware that an alternative was being put into place. It was a little confusing for a while,” Cox said.

“We are working to get the word out that the shelter is back in place and operational,” she added.

“There are eyes and ears in the community,” Gillis said. “Everyone knows someone in a domestic violence situation.”

Often domestic violence victims don’t realize they are victims, she said.

“They think it’s normal to live this way,” Gillis said. “They don’t have to stay in a domestic violence situation. They can be free of domestic violence.”

“They can move forward,” she added. “There is a place for them.”

Attendees are invited to don their “favorite fancy hat” and show their style during the “Hat’s Off” champagne brunch benefiting the domestic violence safe home.

The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day at Dream Manor Inn, 1 Dream Manor Rd., in Globe.

In addition to the brunch, the program will include a silent auction, a hat contest, table awards, raffles, door prizes and a guest speaker.

Tickets are $35 per person and one can even host a table for nine friends and family members for the sum of $315.

Hat contest categories are botanical, elegant, chic and do you dare, while the table awards are most creative, most eloquent and best centerpiece.

Those unable to attend may make a tax-deductible donation instead, as the Alderman House is under the umbrella of GILA House, Inc., which is a 501c.3 charitable organization.

For more information, contact Carolyn Gillis via e-mail at cgillis.dv@gmail.com or by phone at 928-961-6163 or 928-200-5489.

David Abbott contributed to this report.