Kapa‘a church quilts for women, end to domestic violence

According to a KUCC press release, the materials provided will be sewn into quilts approximately 48 inches by 60 inches using 6.5-inch squares of various colored materials for families in the YMCA Crisis Shelter program on Kaua‘i and the United Church of Christ transition house on O‘ahu.

“The goal of the quilting group is to enlist the support of everyone on island to stand against the abuse and mistreatment of women,” the release states. “The women at KUCC hope to start this by providing at least one quilt with a scripture for each of the families at these shelters and a bible to accompany the quilt.”

Started by April Howard in 1980, the YWCA Family Violence Shelter on Kaua‘i is a program that provides shelter for up to three months. Twenty-four hour care, meals, snacks, clothing and vouchers to the thrift store are provided, along with therapeutic counseling and Legal Aid assistance.

“Women who stay are taught to empower themselves to live their lives without having to depend on their abusers for financial support,” the release states.

The O‘ahu UCC Transition House was started about 15 years ago by the Church of the Crossroads to provide assistance to women and children trying to escape relational abuse. Since then, support for those residing in the shelter has been assumed by the O‘ahu Association of Churches.

Three families and up to eight children under the age of 18 may remain in the UCC house for up to six months with possible extensions, the release states.

The women at KUCC said they would like to contribute more to success stories in the lives of women in need on Kaua‘i.

The KUCC women’s quilting group meets once a month on the third or fourth Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 11 of the KUCC Annex Building.

The next meeting is Saturday. For more information, call the KUCC office at 822-9241.