Hi-Desert Shelter Dealing With Cuts

JOSHUA TREE – For over 25 years, Morongo Basin Unity Home in Joshua Tree has been a safe haven for victims of domestic violence, providing shelter, counseling and other services.

“Domestic violence touches so many people in different ways. You don’t appreciate a place like Unity Home until it’s yourself or daughter,” says Unity Home executive director Marietta Cowan.

“Even though domestic violence hasn’t touched your life today, it doesn’t mean it won’t in the future.”

But now it’s Unity Home that could use a helping hand. The non-profit has had a quarter of it’s budget slashed, due to state budget cuts.

Several workers have been laid-off, but the work load isn’t getting any lighter, especially when it comes to running a 24-hour shelter.

“No matter what, we want to keep the shelter open and we want to keep it running with the same amount of services and quality of life we’ve provided there,” says Cowan.

Workers at Unity Home say they’re willing to work more with less because so many need rescue from lives of fear and abuse.

“If I know I have no where else to go, I’m going to stay with the abuser. It’s part of why a lot of victims stay. If there is no where else to go and Unity Home doesn’t exist, it’s going to be really bad,” says counselor Susanna Barnett.

“I would love to see us go out of business because there’s no domestic violence in the U.S., but I don’t think that will ever happen. That’s why Unity Home needs to thrive,” says Cowan.

Unity Home is in need of volunteers and donations.

For more information, call 760-366-9663.