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Women From Across the Globe Build Hope Haven Shelter for Domestic Abuse Survivors
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 4:04 GMT by BBC- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Women Traveling to the U.S. Help Build a Hope‑Haven for Survivors
A heart‑warming story of solidarity, empowerment, and hands‑on construction was recently highlighted in an AOL News feature that chronicles how a diverse group of women from around the world came together to build a critical resource for domestic‑violence survivors in California. The piece—titled “Women traveling to the U.S. help build a new shelter for abused women”—offers a vivid snapshot of the project’s genesis, execution, and lasting impact.
The Need That Sparked the Initiative
The article opens by underscoring the escalating crisis of domestic abuse in the U.S. In 2018 alone, nearly 10 million Americans reported intimate‑partner violence, yet many victims lack safe, affordable housing options. “When I saw the numbers, I realized we had to act beyond advocacy,” notes Sarah Martinez, the director of the nonprofit Safe Haven for Women. The organization, which has served survivors for over two decades, had long been in need of a new, purpose‑built shelter in the San Diego area to replace an aging facility.
Safe Haven partnered with Global Women Builders (GWB), an international volunteer network that sends women to work on community‑building projects. The synergy was instant: GWB had a roster of seasoned volunteers from Latin America, the Philippines, India, and the U.S., and Safe Haven had a clear, urgent project in need of help.
From Planning to Packing: The Volunteer Journey
The article follows several volunteers—Maria Rivera (Mexico), Liza Santos (Philippines), and Aisha Khan (India)—through the months of preparation. They were selected through a competitive application process that required proof of building experience, a passion for social justice, and a willingness to travel to the U.S. for the project’s duration.
The volunteers spent the first month in a virtual orientation, where they learned about the shelter’s architectural plans, safety protocols, and the cultural nuances of working with a predominantly Hispanic community in San Diego. A link embedded in the article takes readers to the GWB website (https://globalwomenbuilders.org), where prospective volunteers can view the organization’s mission statement and past projects.
Once in the U.S., the women met at a local community center where they received a hands‑on training session from the shelter’s chief contractor, Carlos Gomez. Gomez’s own experience as a former domestic‑violence survivor added a layer of emotional resonance to the technical instructions: “We’re not just building walls; we’re building safety.”
Building the Shelter: A Week‑by‑Week Chronicle
The main body of the article details the 8‑week construction timeline. Each week is marked by a specific milestone:
- Foundation – Volunteers poured the concrete slab, measuring precision and ensuring seismic compliance.
- Framing – Wooden beams were lifted into place, with Maria Rivera leading the framing of the main entrance.
- Electrical & Plumbing – A team of volunteers with electrician and plumber backgrounds installed the building’s infrastructure.
- Insulation & Drywall – Aisha Khan, who has a background in drywall installation, oversaw the insulation process.
- Windows & Doors – Liza Santos coordinated the installation of energy‑efficient windows, while Sarah Martinez handled the door placements.
- Exterior Finishes – Volunteers painted the building’s façade, turning a raw shell into a welcoming home.
- Interior Finishes – The team installed kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, and built a small library area for counseling sessions.
- Final Touches & Inspection – The project was inspected by San Diego County officials and received a certificate of occupancy.
Throughout the construction, the article weaves in personal anecdotes. For instance, Maria Rivera shares how she was initially nervous about working with strangers, but quickly found camaraderie in the shared purpose. The article also includes a short video clip (link embedded in the article) that shows the volunteers working in sync, laughing, and occasionally stopping for coffee in a tiny kitchenette built on the construction site.
The Emotional Payoff: Opening Day
The article’s climax is the opening ceremony on a sunny June afternoon in 2018. Local officials, community members, and the volunteers gathered to cut the ribbon and announce that the shelter—now named Hope Haven—would welcome its first resident by the end of the month. The ceremony included a brief speech from Safe Haven’s executive director, who emphasized how the project had bridged continents to address a national crisis.
For the volunteers, the moment was bittersweet. “I had to say goodbye to my new friends, but I also had to leave a piece of my heart in this building,” Maria Rivera says. Aisha Khan, meanwhile, notes the profound sense of purpose that the project had instilled: “I came here to build a house. I left with a community.”
Long‑Term Impact and Future Plans
The article concludes with a look at the shelter’s impact in the first two years after opening. Hope Haven now houses up to 40 survivors at a time and offers counseling, legal aid, and job‑training programs. Safe Haven reports a 30% increase in survivors seeking help, attributing part of this success to the shelter’s accessible location and the warm environment cultivated during its construction.
Looking ahead, GWB is already planning a similar project in Oregon, and Safe Haven is seeking to expand its services. The article provides a link to the Safe Haven for Women donation page (https://safehaven.org/donate), encouraging readers to support the ongoing work.
Takeaway
By weaving together the narratives of international volunteers and a local nonprofit, the AOL article demonstrates how collaboration and shared purpose can transform a pressing social problem into a tangible, lasting solution. The story serves as a reminder that the act of building—a physical structure—can also build community, hope, and resilience.
Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.aol.com/news/women-travel-us-help-build-060634545.html ]
