Ground Breaking for Apartments Designed to Assist Families in Danger

This isn't breaking news but important information in the fight against domestic violence in the Treasure Valley. We just wrapped up Cycle to Break the Cycle (Live for 175) to call attention to child abuse prevention month and this epidemic is real.

There was a husband and wife not cycling this year because they lost their lives due to domestic violence. Their family rode with us last year and when I saw the photo it just tore a hole through my heart.

Nothing prepares you for tragedy when it strikes like this and especially someone you might know. What can you do though? Call the police? Discuss it with them? I've found that so many people don't leave in fear of no place to go or how to survive. This must be the scariest place to live mentally.

That's why it's exciting to announce that Advocates Against Family Violence is breaking ground on another shelter this week. Hope's Door Shelter in Nampa is a phenomenal shelter that houses people for up to 90 days. If you need more time after that AAFV will assist in transitional affordable housing for 2 years.

This new facility will be housed in one location over 3 acres roughly placing families in 30 units. This will be a great help considering Hope's Door Shelter's occupancy is about 94% - 96%. The new spot will break ground this week and thanks to a $1.7 million grant from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. I'll keep my ear to the ground and if at any point they need donations I'll pass it on. This is one of those things I would love to help on.

Please pass this information on to a person or share it with someone that might need it. The scariest statistic is the number of unreported incidents. We need to publicize the number of resources for assistance. There is NOTHING shameful about asking for help and it's not your fault. So many people self blame themselves because they think it's their fault for meeting this abusive person. You can do that and shouldn't let someone else torment themselves. Pass along this information and let them know that help is available. If you see something, say something.

24 Hour Crisis Line: (208) 459-4779