Sarah's Inn receives $10,000 grant for its work serving domestic violence victims

May 29--Not long after moving to its new home in Forest Park, Sarah's Inn was awarded a $10,000 emergency community support grant by two national insurance firms.

On May 22, Sarah's Inn announced it had received the donation from the Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance companies, while the nomination came from Cathy Hall of Forest Insurance. Officials say the grant will allow Sarah's Inn to continue to serve its community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Forest Insurance team is simply awed by the important work Sarah's Inn does for our community, and we are incredibly thankful [to the agencies] for stepping up to provide extra funds to help right now," Hall said.

Officials say the $10,000 will help support Sarah's Inn's emergency client assistance fund, which provides women, children, men and families with basic necessities, as well as assistance with mortgage, rent and utilities.

The funds will also help Sarah's Inn to provide hotel stays for clients that are in an unsafe situation at home and need temporary, safe housing.

"We are so grateful to our partners at Forest Insurance who nominated Sarah's Inn for this amazing grant," executive director Carol Gall said. "The needs of our clients continue to grow during this uncertain time. Our counselors have seen an intensification in the need for advocacy and support."

According to Gall, the Sarah's Inn crisis line has seen a 100 percent increase in calls during the COVID-19 pandemic, while its emergency assistance fund continues to serve those needing living essentials.

"We are so thankful for this generous gift that will make a huge difference right now to those impacted by domestic violence," Gall said.

Founded in 1980, Sarah's Inn has grown to become one of the largest and most comprehensive domestic violence agencies serving Chicago and 22 surrounding Cook County communities.

In late 2019, the agency left its longtime home on Harrison Street in Oak Park. Earlier this year, Sarah's Inn moved to its new space in the 1500 block of Circle Avenue in Forest Park.

Anyone needing services from Sarah's Inn can call the agency's 24 hour crisis line at 708-386-4225 or visit www.sarahsinn.org.

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