Emily’s Place, a nonprofit that provides long-term housing to domestic violence survivors, has suffered damages from the freezing winter temperatures and moved families to temporary housing.
On Christmas Eve, the freezing temperatures in DFW led to a pipe bursting in one of the residential houses, causing significant damage and displacing the families that lived there. These families have been moved into temporary housing on campus, but they will be unable to return to the home at this time. In addition, one of the graduate houses had pipes and a water heater burst, though the damage was not significant and the families have returned to the home.
Though half of Emily’s Place families were temporarily displaced for Christmas, many in the community donated gift cards, supplies and emergency funds which allowed the families to move quickly and have a somewhat normal Christmas morning, according to Emily’s Place’s email update.
“All the families had a wonderful Christmas morning and all the children were relieved that Santa Claus had gotten the last-minute updates to the address changes,” the email said. “We are so grateful to those in the community that helped us with gift cards, supplies and emergency funds to help with the initial costs. You provided a Christmas miracle!”
Those wishing to assist Emily’s Place in returning the families to their homes as quickly as possible can do so through prayer and donating to the crisis fundraising link, according to Emily’s Place representatives.
Emily’s Place serves as the bridge between emergency shelters and independent living by providing a structured environment with support from a staff of house managers, case workers and counselors for up to 24 months.
The nonprofit purchased property in downtown Plano, where it houses several dozen residents. In the future, the organization hopes to add an on-site daycare and additional housing for program graduates.
