Liberty House adoptive family program has successful year

ALBANY — Liberty House of Albany, a nonprofit that provides temporary shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children, is finishing the year on a relatively high note. Executive Director Diane Rodgers said the annual adoptive family program was successful, and the organization is looking forward to stalking and dating violence awareness campaigns for next year.

Adoptive family program

According to Rodgers, the needs for shelter and resources persist throughout the year. During Christmastime, Liberty House has an adoptive family program, with which, Rodgers said, the nonprofit has always had success.

“We have several members in the community, churches and businesses, that adopt families and provide Christmas presents and that kind of thing to them,” she said. “As far as the meals, those are provided by Liberty House. … We make sure that the kids get presents and the moms feel special. Obviously, a stay in a shelter’s never a great feeling, but it’s to make them have a good holiday season.”

There are also outreach services for Christmas available to other families living in the 17 counties Liberty House serves. Rodgers added that donations of personal hygiene supplies throughout the year help. She said approximately 30 people and organizations support the nonprofit during this time.

Upcoming awareness months

January is Stalking Awareness Month and February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Rodgers said Liberty House will continue its usual awareness and education programs during those months.

“I will say, it’s becoming more common that school systems provide some education (about stalking and teen dating violence),” Rodgers said. “Is it enough? No. But there are more opportunities for teenagers because most relationships that have dating violence at present start between the ages 14 and 24. … We’re doing everything we can, but certainly, that education needs to be provided, so they understand healthy relationships.”

Partial government shutdown

Rodgers said Liberty House has remained open during previous government shutdowns, and that might be the case for the current partial shutdown.

“The organization that we’re funded through does a drawdown before the government shuts down,” Rodgers said. “So if it were to be shut down for a long period of time, it possibly could affect us. Because the organization we’re under pre-plans, we’re not affected at the time.”

If individuals, organizations or businesses want to get involved, they can send resource donations to Liberty House, P.O. Box 2046, Albany, GA 31702. The nonprofit’s website, LibertyHouseofAlbany.com, receives monetary donations through PayPal and includes steps on how to become a volunteer.

Jennifer Parks