Businesses, Libraries Aid Women’s Shelter

Several businesses are raising funds for the Haven Hills shelter as part of observances of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

A Grand Salon and Spa by Grace, a Northridge beauty salon, donated all proceeds from an event held this past weekend to the women’s shelter to support counseling, shelter and transitional housing programs.

Also, the Woodland Hills and Canoga Park libraries have set aside books related to domestic violence--as well as materials about Haven Hills--in displays through October.

“They put out some really good books that aren’t always available, or people don’t think to look for them,” said Stella Carlos, a program director for the shelter.

Other Haven Hills administrators said any effort helps to spread the word.

“Having this at places like the library makes it accessible to women who might not be able to go anywhere,” outreach coordinator Jae Weiss said. “They might not be able to go out, but they might be able to take their kids to the library.”

Representatives from Haven Hills also have been visiting organizations, schools and public buildings to promote their work.

Although a discussion at the West Valley Occupational Center drew more than 100 people, a meeting at the Woodland Hills library last week was sparsely attended. Another discussion on domestic violence will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Canoga Park library, 7260 Owensmouth Ave.

“Even if all we do is get our hotline number out, we’ve done our job,” Weiss said.

For more information, call Haven Hills at (818) 887-7481.