Poolman collecting donations for Sojourner Center

You may be shocked to find out that a woman is assaulted or beaten every 9 seconds in the U.S., a startling statistic provided by DomesticViolenceStatistics.org. This clearly indicates that domestic abuse is a serious national issue. Fortunately, shelters like Sojourner Center exist for victims of domestic violence to turn to for help. Sojourner Center in Phoenix offers a safe haven for individuals who come from abusive homes. Each year, nearly 3,000 women and children come to the Sojourner Center, where they are provided with food, housing, clothing and continuing support services.

A history of Sojourner Center
Sojourner Center was established in 1977 by 12 individuals who realized that women who were leaving the criminal justice system were not being given the necessary support to succeed in the outside world. The group sought to provide these women with the skills, knowledge and emotional support they needed to rebuild their lives. When Sojourner Center's staff realized that domestic abuse was the primary issue affecting their residents, they decided that the exclusive focus of the shelter would be to serve victims of domestic violence.

Since its inception, Sojourner Center has expanded from a 28-bed house to a three-campus facility with 280 beds and 32 transitional apartments. The center also has an education center, community clubhouse and a donation and resource facility, offering a wide range of resources and services to benefit the women and children staying there. Sojourner Center is one of the nation's largest shelters for domestic violence. Its commitment to assisting these victims reflects the values of the woman who inspired its namesake – Sojourner Truth.

Join with Poolman in Sojourner Center's donation drive
Poolman is proud to support the Sojourner Center's efforts to aid victims of domestic violence by sponsoring a donation drive. From now until Feb. 13, we encourage you to join us in helping Sojourner Center's residents by contributing a donation.

Here is a list of the items we can collect:

Adult Socks
Alarm Clocks
Blankets (new or gently used)
Hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners
School uniforms
Toiletries
Small Appliances
Tissues
Twin fitted/flat sheets
Underwear
Baby Items
Baby food
New pillows
Towel sets
Children's art supplies
Cosmetics

Please note that the center is in need of size 4 diapers, baby wipes, towels, pillows and twin-size sheet sets. We request that you leave any items you wish to donate, clearly marked, near the pool area, and your technician will pick it up. Your generosity will go a long way and could make a major difference in the life of a domestic violence victim.