As director at Renew, Inc., Crisis Agency for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, I would like to clarify a misconception stated in a recent letter to the editor. Renew, Inc., has provided free and confidential services for Montezuma and Dolores county families dealing with these crimes for more than 32 years. WINGS Safehouse opened in October 2009 and is a comfortable and secure temporary housing situation for victims and their children. All necessary basic needs are met, such as food, clothing and personal hygiene items. We offer free and confidential peer and professional counseling, life and safety planning options, as well as legal, employment and housing referrals. Intakes and services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long. Renew, Inc., also operates a 24/7 crisis response hotline at (970) 565-2100. Here is a snapshot of the clients served and services we provided in our 2014 fiscal year: domestic violence victims: 611; sexual assault victims: 34; hotline calls: 1,207; intakes: 380; contacts with victims: 10,208; services for victims: 24,000; bednights: 1,275; meals: 3,676; volunteer hours: 15,486; and, volunteers: 52. For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, visit www.renew-inc.org or call Renew, Inc., (970) 565-4886, or WINGS Safehouse at (970) 565-9116.
Cheryl Beene
Cortez