Everyone deserves a life free from violence.
Since 1979 Shelter from the Storm has been working within our community to provide safety and resources to survivors in Union County.
It is our vision to support a community driven collaboration promoting safety and empowerment for everyone to be free from violence and the fear of violence.
If you need immediate assistance please call:
Office: (541) 963-7226 Hotline: (541) 963-9261
We are hiring! Visit our careers page and be a part of our amazing team!
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This is a time for advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the community to come together to talk openly about sexual violence to support survivors, increase knowledge and awareness, and identify strategies and resources to prevent sexual violence.
Start by believing!
Start by Believing is a nation-wide public awareness campaign uniquely focused on the public response to sexual assault. Once a survivor reports an assault, each individual’s personal reaction is the first step in a long path towards justice and healing. Knowing how to respond is critical– a negative response can worsen the trauma and foster and environment where perpetrators face zero consequence for their crimes.
Click on the link below:
WARNING: This exhibit can be emotionally triggering for people impacted by sexual assault. If you would like to speak with a victim’s advocate for support, please call Shelter from the Storm’s 24-hour hotline at 541-963-9261!
Below is a slideshow featuring an exhibit entitled
“What was I Wearing”!
The purpose of this exhibit is to dispel a victim-blaming myth that clothing somehow invites a sexual assault. Victims of crime are not responsible for crimes committed against them. Survivors of rape/sexual assault are often asked, “What were you wearing?” We need to stop asking this. We encourage you to look at these stories and outfits of local survivors to see that clothing is irrelevant when it comes to sexual assault. As you read what these survivors shared, please take a moment to reconsider what may be your own long-held beliefs about sexual assault that are, in reality, myths and stereotypes that can aid perpetrators of crime in avoiding accountability for their choices.
Below is a description of each slide!
Slide one: "I was home sick from school, and he was mad he had to watch me all day. I begged to go to school from then on, no matter how sick I was. I was 6."
Slide 2: "I was fighting an illness that could be life threatening if not taken care of, I trusted him and I was vulnerable. He made jokes about what he did to me to the entire school afterwards, I tried to kill myself days later. I was 15."
Slide 3: "I was wearing my pajamas, playing around instead of being asleep like I was supposed to be, it was my "punishment". I was 8."
Slide 4: 10,000 men are sexually assaulted in the United States military every year.
Slide 5: "I was 13 and had been placed in a mental health facility for an attempted suicide. He was an employee."
Slide 6: "I forfeited my freedom and was paying for my crimes, when he stole my basic human rights. He became judge, jury, and executioner as he preyed upon who was supposed to be the voiceless. I was wearing prison blues."
Slide 7: "I couldn't even talk yet."
Slide 8: "I thought he was my friend...I never felt uncomfortable being alone with him until one night. He wouldn't let me leave his apartment, blocked me from the door. I told him I needed to get going, I needed to get home to my kids. He said, 'just one kiss', and forced me to his bed. The stupid colorful socks on his bedroom floor are seared into my mind and the purple cardigan I was wearing lived on the floorboard of my car for an entire year after."
Slide 9: "Till death do us part, I vowed on our wedding day. For 8 long years, I never knew your husband could rape you."
How do we prevent violence in our community?
Shelter from the Storm is honored to receive funding through Oregon’s Sexual Assault Task Force & The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence in order to do prevention work in our community.
We understand that prevention of violence in our community is a community wide effort, and we hope that you will join us in pursuit of our vision of a community driven to promote safety and empower everyone to be free from violence and the fear of violence.
Looking for a different way to give?
April 2024 donation requests:
Pantry: Our food pantry has seen a VERY high increase in visits from our community and we often run out of items to give to folks! Here are some of the items most needed:
Single serve meals that are ready to eat, or easy to make (example: cup o noodle, single serve mac and cheese, single serve oatmeal cups, flip top soups, chili, etc.). Cereal and oatmeal. Juice boxes. Snack items, such as chips, cookies, Hostess snacks, fruit snacks, etc. Can openers, as most folks facing food insecurity do not have one.
Other Items Needed: Straight Talk phone cards. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies for our Safe House such as bleach, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, bathroom cleaners, etc.! Also, deodorant, both male and female. Razors, both male and female. Shaving cream, both male and female. Full size bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener. Gift cards to give to our clients for things they need. Examples: WalMart, Safeway, Grocery Outlet, etc.
SFS Dates
Please refer to this calendar to keep updated with our services, closure dates, and upcoming events.