San Clemente : First Women’s Shelter Edges Closer to Reality

In the culmination of a yearlong effort, escrow has opened on a duplex that will become the area’s first shelter for battered women.

Laura’s House organizers said the dwelling will be ready for its first clients in about six weeks, time that will be spent training volunteers and searching for furniture.

“We’re feeling an extreme amount of joy, yet at the same time some anxiety,” said Helen Scott, chairwoman of the group behind the shelter. “We’ve got a lot to do before we open.”

Instead of putting up battered women and their children in area motels, Laura’s House organizers will be able to shelter as many as 12 adults and children in the new facility.

Volunteers will undergo their first training session Saturday, when they will be taught crisis counseling and the special needs of running a shelter.

Once escrow closes, a work crew will start remodeling the dwelling. The group needs donations of furniture and common household items before the shelter opens. The greatest needs are for kitchen goods, bunk beds and queen-size beds.

“Unfortunately, we can’t take donations yet because we don’t have space to store anything,” said Scott. “It would be great if people could let us know what they have and hold on to the donations for a few weeks.”

Those interested in making donations to Laura’s House can contact the group at (714) 361-3775.