Philadelphia, PA – December 1, 2009

Women Against Abuse, Philadelphia’s leading domestic violence service provider, is sheltering 59 children and 39 women this holiday season. The agency is asking the public for donations to ensure these families – who have had to leave their homes to escape abuse – can enjoy a warm and happy holiday.

The most needed items are new coats, hats, scarves, toys and pajamas in a variety of sizes for women and children. Donations should be new and not gift wrapped.

“Many of the women and children in our shelter come to us with very few personal belongings,” explains Women Against Abuse Executive Director Jeannine L. Lisitski. “They leave their homes with almost nothing, and they can’t go back.”

Over 800 people, including 400 children, find safety through Women Against Abuse’s emergency housing services each year, depleting the organization’s ability to consistently provide new clothing and other essentials. This December, over half the people in the Women Against Abuse shelter are children, and most of them are less than ten yearsold.

“Receiving a new toy, art supplies or a warm coat can really brighten the holiday season for the children at our shelter,” Lisitski says. “They’re working to heal from traumatic experiences, and knowing that someone in the community cares about them makes all the difference.”

Women Against Abuse will be accepting donations until December 18th. Donations can be dropped off at the Women Against Abuse business office in Center City Philadelphia, 100 South Broad Street, Suite 1341. For more information and the complete Holiday Donation Wish List, visit http://www.womenagainstabuse.org

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About Women Against Abuse

Women Against Abuse (WAA), Inc., one of the largest domestic violence programs in the country, serves more than 10,000 individuals each year through emergency housing, legal services, hotline counseling, education and advocacy. WAA operates the only comprehensive program in Philadelphia whose sole purpose is to assist victims of domestic violence and their children.

ShelterFullHolidays-120109.pdf