Handcrafted coverlets will warm beds and hearts

The needles and hooks of the Knitting and Crochet for Charity group have been busy creating coverlets for the beds in the new shelter for women managed by AWARE. The Brandi Montgomery House will go into service sometime in May. These crafters, who meet monthly at the Grove City Community Library, have been working for several months to help bring a warm and welcoming atmosphere to the house that will be the temporary home for victims of domestic violence.

Lizette Olsen, executive director of AWARE, the Mercer County Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Agency, spoke at the meeting of the crafters' group about what the agency does and how the community needs to be a part of its efforts.

Marsha Fields, advocacy counselor, Maegan Matthews, manager of Brandi Montgomery House, accompanied Olsen and shared their perspectives of how the house would be managed. Women and children can stay in the house from one to three months. The goal is to provide a safe environment that will nurture the ability of these women to take control of their lives. Through support and education these women are given the skills to move on following the trauma.

Olsen shared stories that illustrated the need for the agency and especially the establishment of the shelter in the southeastern part of Mercer County. AWARE currently operates a shelter in Sharon and one in Greenville that is in partnership with the Greenville Baptist Church.

"We make every effort to have children remain in their own school district," Olsen said. That is why the Grove City location is so important.

As executive director, Olsen often speaks to churches and community groups about how they can assist the program. She also talks to them about how they can be someone who can listen and help someone who is dealing with domestic violence. By being a good, non-judgmental listener, they can then offer to help the victim get the services they need.

Through grant programs, Olsen has been able to get training for the county police departments so that officers are better equipped to deal with the domestic violence incidents they encounter.

One of the AWARE annual fundraisers is the Walk a Mile in my Shoes event where men don high heels and walk a mile in support of the agency.

"It is very funny to watch and I suspect that many of them only make it about half a mile," she said with a smile. Following the walk is a luncheon for the volunteers and supporters of the walk. This year the event will be April 29. Registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. All proceeds go towards the Brandy Montgomery House.

The Brandi Montgomery House is the result of a partnership between Center Presbyterian Church, just west of Grove City, and AWARE.

"When Amy Foley and I first visited the house, we both said, 'It's perfect," Olsen said. But, there is a lot to do to insure that a building will meet regulations. Center Church pastor, Rev. Bill Woodman, assisted the agency in meeting the regulatory challenges. The building had to meet municipal code as well as to be equipped to insure the safety of the new residents. It has been a long time but now it is ready for occupancy.

Matthews said that the church ladies and other volunteers have been working at cleaning and painting and decorating the house. It will be ready for the dedication May 1.

The dedication service will be at 11 a.m.May 1 at Center Presbyterian Church, 333 Center Church Road, Grove City. Light refreshments will be served after the dedication. Following those activities, the Brandi Montgomery House will have an open house so the public will have an opportunity to view the house before it goes into service.