Domestic violence is more prevalent in Gainesville than some may realize, but locals can help.
Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network is holding its annual school uniform drive at the outreach office at 2100 NW 53rd Ave., Suite A.
Kelsey Harclerode, a 20-year-old women’s studies senior and volunteer at Peaceful Paths, said that she was shocked by how many ordinary women deal with domestic violence.
“We see domestic violence victims in media as troubled lower class women, but most of them have reminded me of my mom,” she said. “The superwoman type, with incredible strength but unfortunately have these terrible things happen to them.”
Harclerode helps teach a financial literacy class to domestic abuse survivors at Peaceful Paths.
The class of about 10 women learn what credit is, the best way to save money, where to keep documents and about different types of loans.
Peaceful Paths is always seeking more volunteers as well as donations, she said.
Resources needed include: towels, twin sheet sets, non-perishable foods, gas cards, paper products and infant supplies.
To help get the children in need ready for the new school year, donations of uniform tops and bottoms for students in kindergarten through 12th grade are being accepted at the outreach office.
From Peaceful Path’s wholesale resource, three sets of uniforms can be purchased for $25.
“I wanted to get involved in a specific, local way of helping women, rather than just writing about helping women,” Harclerode said.
