- South Valley Services seeks school supply donations for domestic violence survivors in Utah.
- Families often lack resources for back-to-school shopping, impacting their recovery process.
- Donations accepted until Aug. 17 at West Jordan and Tooele locations, including gift cards.
WEST JORDAN — A Utah organization that helps domestic violence survivors is asking for school supply donations. Advocates with South Valley Services said the families it serves typically don't have the freedom to go back-to-school shopping.
South Valley Services helps men, women and children survivors of domestic violence. It said going back to school can be especially hard for victims.
"When they're escaping a very violent situation, many of the families come here and they don't have anything," South Valley Services Child Advocate Madison Jonely said.
Jonely tries to make the organization's West Jordan facility feel like a home away from home. It's where she cares for children who are victims of domestic violence.
"And, while we really do try hard to provide safety and healing here, we really ask for donations," she said.
The organization is gathering new school supplies and gift cards to Target, Amazon and Walmart. Jonely said the money gives students and their families a choice in deciding what to buy.
"It can be very normal to have those butterflies, and especially not knowing if you're going to have new school supplies or, you know, just being in a new housing environment," Jonely said. "So it's really important to have this sense of normalcy."
We can make sure that these kids walk into the school year with confidence and dignity.
–Madison Jonely, South Valley Services child advocate
She said having something like a new backpack can make all the difference for a child and their family trying to rebuild their life.
"We can make sure that these kids walk into the school year with confidence and dignity," Jonely said.
The campaign runs from July 28 to Aug. 17.
Donation bins are available at South Valley Services' Resource Center and Advocacy Center at 7 S. Main, Suite 305 in Tooele, and outside South Valley Services at the West Jordan City Hall, located at 8000 S. Redwood Road. Supporters can donate Target, Walmart or Amazon gift cards, or can shop from South Valley's Amazon Wishlist.
