RSL Foundation To Open Domestic Violence Shelter After Coronavirus Leads To Increased Urgency

SANDY, Utah – The RSL Foundation announced that they will be opening the Domestic Violence Shelter early due to the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter was originally scheduled to open in one month but will officially open on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

For most domestic violence survivors, finding affordable housing is a barrier to start a life free from abuse. In January, The Dell Loy Hansen Family Foundation purchased a four-plex to make it exclusively available for victims of domestic violence.

When the building was purchased, it needed extensive repairs to be habitable and safe for CAPSA clients. The RSL Foundation donated $60,000 to this project to make repairs.

“Victims of domestic violence often use school or work as an escape. The coronavirus crisis has led to an increased urgency to get this shelter ready ahead of schedule for occupancy tomorrow. On behalf of the RSL Foundation and the Utah Royals we are grateful to be a part of this timely project and thank all of the construction workers that worked through the night to get this four-plex ready for occupancy,” said Mary VanMinde, Director of the RSL Foundation.

The four-plex will be given to and ran by CAPSA, a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center.

“This four-plex is coming online at the perfect time – it feels like a miracle,” said Jill Anderson Executive Director for CAPSA “The four-plex will now initially serve as short-term emergency shelter ensuring shelter space remains available. It will later transition into CAPSA’s housing program. This space will save lives.”

The RSL Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. They work to enhance education, strengthen communities, build leadership through soccer and highlight green initiatives in Utah. Find out all of the things that the RSL Foundation has done, here.

Thanks @UtahFoodBank for all you do in the community! They made it so easy to drop off our stadium donation. Donate to the Utah Food Bank online, where every dollar given creates $7.66 worth of goods and services.
Donate here: https://t.co/TNoXROhO9T#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/U5VBvVyBf9

— RSL Foundation (@RSLfoundation) March 17, 2020

CAPSA is a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual assault and rape recovery center serving Cache and Rich Counties. Last year CAPSA served 1,551 women, men, and children fleeing abuse. Independence Place is designed to allow families to transition from emergency shelter into a home for up to two years. CAPSA’s support services include a 24-hour support phone line, emergency shelter, casework, rape exam advocacy, legal advocacy, prevention education, transitional housing and clinical therapy. All of CAPSA’s services are FREE and confidential.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be found here or call 1-800-799-7233. They have resources available 24-7.