Judy’s House comes to Leon County -- and you can help

The Latin term "extremis malis extrema remedia" has led to a modern-day proverb: "Desperate times call for desperate measures." Perhaps nothing qualifies as a "desperate time" more than a family which is experiencing domestic violence. With your help, a remedial measure is on its way for Leon County victims.

The Leon County Domestic Violence Advocates Program was established in 2000 to serve victims of domestic violence and help families get their lives back on track. Oftentimes that means responding to a call in the middle of the night, and helping someone get to a safe place. For years the LCDVA volunteers would find themselves driving to a "safe house" like Phoebe's House in Bryan, or similar temporary shelters in Huntsville or Lufkin. As the population of our county has grown, however, so has the problem of domestic and family violence, and so has the need for a local temporary shelter.

Recently, the Board of Directors of LCDVA learned of a small house which was to be moved off of property acquired by First Baptist Church in Buffalo. The church offered to donate the house, stipulating that LCDVA move it. When the City of Buffalo was approached for help, the City Council agreed to provide a lot for the house. Since that time, the project has gained steam. The Limestone Fund has promised new floors and paint. The Leon County Master Gardeners have offered to landscape the property. Richard and Judy Blanchard have donated a stove and refrigerator. Negotiations are under way for a privacy fence. And now YOU can help.

Dr. Monica Holliday is sponsoring a huge garage sale to be held on November 7 at her office on Highway 79, just west of town by the Blue Water Storage. Over fifty families have already contributed merchandise, and Dr. Russell Jonas has made space available at Blue Water for furniture and larger items. Items already collected include a lot of really nice clothes (all sizes), household items, furniture, yard items, tools, toys -- you name it. Everything will be priced to sell with 100% of the proceeds going to the restoration of the new safe house, and to outfitting it and maintaining it on an ongoing basis.

Leon County's new short-term shelter already has a name: Judy's House. Support Services Director Norma Threet shared that the name came to her after prayer. Judy was a woman who first came into contact with LCDVA in 2003 after coming across their literature offered at a booth at Centerville's Fourth of July celebration. She was in an abusive situation at home, and feared for her life. With the support of the LCDVA, Judy was able to get a protective order against her husband and began to turn her life around. She eventually took training and became a DPS guard. At what she testifi ed was the happiest time in her life, however, she died of a sudden illness at age 53.

Norma felt that Judy's name on the new shelter would be a good testimony to the light that can be found at the end of the tunnel that is Domestic Violence. "Judy had an impact on a lot of people's lives in a short amount of time. When I first saw her there was no life in her eyes -- she had been abused so much throughout her life. Afterward, she had the most beautiful light in her eyes and a beautiful smile. People saw such a change in her." A portrait of Judy Bowser will hang in the house, along with her story. Judy was also an artist, and some of her artwork will be on display.

Helping others find the courage to change their lives for the better is the goal of the faith based, locally supported LCDVA program, and they are always looking for people who would like to help and become a part of their growing ministry. The next training program is scheduled for November 10, 12 and 14, and you can contact Norma Threet at 903-322-2399 for more information.

Threet concluded with a reminder about the garage sale. "Everybody in the community can come, pick up a bargain, and be a part of this ministry. The sale will be Saturday, November 7th from 8:00 a.m. to Dark:30. As long as people are coming, we'll be there!"

Mark your calendars, neighbors. It's definitely for a good cause.