Editors Note: The Giving and Receiving series features people involved in humanitarian programs as recipients or providers.

To break the silence about domestic violence, Williams-based nonprofit organization Karens House supporters are speaking out and helping those struggling in abusive situations.

We want to keep everybody safe, said Tootie Hackett, founder of Karens House. Anything we can do to prevent another statistic.

According to Hackett, the nonprofit organization advocates on behalf of victims of domestic violence and their children, by providing a safe space that promotes intervention, prevention, awareness and empowerment.

Hackett established Karens House Colusa Countys first domestic violence program in April 2018 after the disappearance and death of Williams native Karen Garcia to offer resources and help to those stuck in abusive situations as Garcia was prior to her death.

Since being established, Karens House has partnered with Colusa County with the hope of expanding services and Hackett said they have been trying to obtain grant money to open a shelter in the near future.

We have gotten one grant already, but its very expensive to open a shelter from scratch, said Hackett.

According to Hackett, the organization is looking for a three bedroom, two bath house or land within the county they can use to get the shelter up and running.

Hackett said the organization, which has assisted 15 individuals and their families since opening, provides support and assistance to get victims away from their abusers by putting them up in hotels for three days, helping to locate and talk to family for help, as well as providing clothes, food and personal hygiene supplies, referrals to local services and help obtaining restraining orders. Hackett said she is also certified to provide counseling services to victims as well.

I am the only person certified right now but as we grow we would like to get more people certified, said Hackett.

Karens House, which is run solely by volunteers, hosts several fundraiser events throughout the year to continuously provide these services, including a rib cook-off at the Williams Pioneer Day event scheduled each year in June, an annual golf tournament, which Hackett said is scheduled for May 1, 2020, at the Arbuckle Golf Club, as well as several paint nights.

These fundraisers are how we keep everything going, said Hackett. We pay our rent and the few bills we have and then put the rest away.

Karens House will be hosted a human trafficking awareness event in Williams Tuesday that was free and open to the public. According to Hackett, guest speaker Roger Freeman, outreach and training specialist for the International Rescue Committee, lead an informative training outlining the warning signs and things to be aware of regarding human trafficking.

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Giving and Receiving: Breaking the silence around abuse - Appeal-Democrat