JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. — Many of them are in what police call “lethal danger.” Space is always limited, but now so are supplies. We can’t tell you exactly where Johnson County’s SAFEHOME is, but we can tell you there are more victims of domestic violence here than there are beds.
“When people are in a lethal situation where they could be killed, we will have them come in and put them wherever we have to,” Janee Hanzlick, SAFEHOME executive director, said.
Of the hundreds who spent time in the emergency shelter last year, many were children. They were uprooted from their dangerous situations and also from their schools.
“A lot of times kids have had to leave school supplies at school and they may not be able to go back to that school.” Hanzlick said.
With the fall-term fast approaching, the supply of crayons and paper, markers and pens are low at the shelter. It’s not only school supplies; SAFEHOME totally depends on the community for hygiene products, diapers and household items. That is one of the reasons Amanda Bucher went from victim to volunteer.
“If we can get three-to-six months of items on the list donated then every tear and bad name and every time I’ve cried and put my parents through will be 100 percent worth it,” Bucher said.
Bucher organized a donation drive at the Olathe Hy-Vee to temporarily meet the need. But the demand is ongoing as victims of domestic violence continue to overflow the available space.
The director of SAFEHOME said they are working on obtaining property for an expansion. If you want to lend a hand in any way, go to its website’s ‘How to Help’ page.
