DEMOPOLIS-Harriet’s House, a temporary shelter for both male and female victims of domestic violence, requests your help.

“We really need anything needed to run a household,” Susanna Naisbett, executive director for Harriet’s House, said. “But we don’t have the capacity to store more clothes.”

Naisbett said cleaning supplies, diapers, batteries, light bulbs, hygiene products, paper products, toilet paper, pots, pans and, “anything you would go to the supermarket to get on weekly basis” are needed.

Around this time of the year, donated office and school supplies are greatly appreciated.

Although the actual shelter is for women and children only, but men can be catered to if they need a temporary place to stay.

“We still provide for our victims after they leave,” Naisbett said. “And women don’t have to stay at the shelter to receive our services.”

Maximum capacity at the shelter is 16 and limited transportation and financial help is available to victims who really need it.

The shelter provides a case manager to help victims set goals and objectives and hosts weekly support groups.

Representatives are also glad to speak to groups whether it’s at a church, school or club meeting.

Every Harriet’s House service is free of charge.

The first interest meeting for the shelter was held in September of 1995 and the doors were opened in May of 1997.

Since then, Harriet’s House has been operating on community generosity and grants from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

“We utilize community resources openly because we can’t do it alone,” Naisbett said. “DHR, the health department, the mental health department, and any other service providers in the area all help us.”

Harriet’s House is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization, which means all donations are tax deductible.

If you wish to contribute to Harriet’s House, you can contact a representative at 334-289-8988 for a drop-off point, or to arrange meeting or pickup times.

Monetary donations can be sent to Harriet’s House, P.O. Box 569, Demopolis, AL 36732.