By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Every 15 seconds, a woman is abused in the United States. Whether it's verbal or physical, abuse is a problem that often stays hidden for fear that the victim will be injured if they tell someone their problems.
Lynette Rhodes of Polly's Place of Niles knows this is something that has to be stopped.
"It could be the woman in front of you at the grocery store, standing next to you at the post office or sitting next to you in a church pew. We want woman to know we are here to help," said Rhodes, marketing and public relations director for Polly's Place.
October is Domestic Awareness Month and Polly's Place wants to do everything it can to assist women who need help. On Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m., The Body Shop will partner with Polly's Place in hosting its annual fundraising event for the entire community.
Rhodes said a portion of the proceeds raised will go to Polly's Place.
The Body Shop, a national retailer of naturally inspired skin care, body care, make-up and fragrance products, will have a consultant on hand to demonstrate their products, which have ingredients like cocoa butter from Ghana, olive oil from Italy and soya beans from Brazil.
"The public is invited to this event. It's a chance to purchase great products and know that you are helping women in need," Rhodes said.
In order to attend the program, one must register before Oct. 30 by calling 687-9822. The event will take place at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 1105 Grant St..
Polly's Place has been helping battered and abused women in and outside the state of Michigan for 10 years. It's the only faith-based shelter in Berrien County for women.
"When we talk with a lot of people, they don't even know we are here. But Polly's Place was started right here in Niles and has now grown across the United States. The goal is to have a Polly's Place shelter in every state," Rhodes said.
The first Polly's Place started in Niles in 1997. Rose Otis voiced her desire to see a shelter program for abused women established in each union in North America. Since then, there have been many requests for shelter programs to be established in various parts of the country.
In 2003, Polly Westman and Mable Dunbar, original founders of the first Polly's Place, were impressed to start a trust fund to help shelter programs, such as Polly's Place, operate efficiently and effectively. Polly's Place Network was therefore established to provide a vehicle through which new shelter programs named Polly's Place can receive ongoing funding and support.