Newsmakers: Women’s Advocates Launches Emergency Hotel Stay Project
Women’s Advocates, which serves people throughout the Twin Cities, launched a project that provides 10 days of emergency stay in area hotels for victims or survivors who can’t access shelter.
“Something as simple as being able to close the bathroom door behind you is really precious to someone who has been abused and monitored. So the hotel set-up is really helpful and conducive to survivor autonomy,” said Mary Beth Baker with Women’s Advocates. “Putting survivors in hotels also allows us to serve people who aren’t typically served by the standard women’s shelters, like men, trans, and gender non-conforming people. It allows us to be more expansive and inclusive in our services.”
Mary Beth Baker, Women’s Advocates
Baker says they learned the value of using hotels in their work during the pandemic. More than 50 hotels are participating in the project. The hotels provide escape and respite as well as an opportunity for Women’s Advocates to work with the victim-survivor to plan for their next move to a safe, confidential location.
“We are helping people access the safety that they deserve,” said Baker. “We are connecting people to what they need.”
Women’s Advocates was founded in 1974 as the first shelter in the nation for victim-survivors of domestic violence, and their work creates a continuum of safety for victim-survivors. To learn more, visit wadvocates.org.
See also: Maple Grove Recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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