In 2018, the mission to open Colusa County’s first domestic violence shelter seemed a painstaking journey for a small community non-profit organization.
But that dream is now closer to reality for Karen’s House, a program named after murder victim Karen Romero Garcia, 22, who died at the hand of an abusive boyfriend inside the Colusa apartment where the couple had been raising their 2-year-old daughter.
On Aug. 31, the Colusa County Board of Supervisors awarded $650,000 in financing for Karen’s House to open a shelter for abused women and children.
The program, since Garcia’s death, has provided support services to women trying to escape an abusive partner but was unable to provide housing.
“We are super excited,” said Tootie Hackett, Karen’s House founder. “This is something we have been working on for three years, and with the rise in domestic violence, it is so important.”
The funding for the shelter comes from the Housing Revolving Loan Fund and Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, said Colusa County Community Development Director Greg Plucker.
The county had released the notice of funding availability in February 2020, but pushed the release of funds to a later date to make funding available to businesses hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fund had a $1.16 million balance when the county selected the two most qualified applicants, Plucker said. The Stonyford Community Hall Association was awarded a $17,500 grant for a pre-manufactured auxiliary shed, 20 lightweight tables, and 52 lightweight chairs, along with the appropriate carts for hanging and storage, but Karen’s House will receive the bulk of the money.
Now that Karen’s House has financing, Hackett said the organization would begin looking for a fairly private four or five bedroom home somewhere in Colusa County to shelter battered women and their children until permanent housing can be found for them.
The loan will provide the organization about $572,000 for the structure, leaving about $78,000 for modifications and certifications.
Meanwhile, the Karen’s House board hopes what happened to Karen Garcia doesn’t happen to another Colusa County woman.
Karen was killed around 11 AM on Jan. 8, 2018, shortly after she entered the apartment she had shared with Salvador Garcia to pick up her belongings – after first texting him the relationship was officially over.
Karen had been staying with her mother in Williams, following an incident two weeks earlier that led to Salvador Garcia’s arrest on domestic violence charges.
Karen’s battered body was discovered on Jan. 14 inside her parked car in a Woodland shopping center, the day after Salvador, allegedly with the help of family members, absconded to Mexico to avoid arrest. The 23-year-old killer was eventually captured. He pleaded guilty to killing Karen in a jealous rage and was sentenced to serve 25 years in prison.
Because research has shown the risk of domestic homicide becomes highest during the period of break up, Karen’s House hopes to keep Karen’s memory alive by providing a safe house at the onset of separation that can offer services, including mental health support, counseling, wellness, recovery, and co-parenting education.
The loan payments for the purchase will be deferred for three years, Plucker said, after which the group will have a $602 per month repayment plan for a period of 30 years.
Hackett said with the community’s help, Karen’s House can become Colusa County’s first local shelter to empower victims of domestic violence and children to take back control of their lives.
Karen’s House will host a fundraising Paint and Sip at Granzella’s Banquet Hall on Oct. 9. Admission is $50. The group is currently organizing their fourth annual golf tournament, their biggest fundraiser, and accepts donations to the nonprofit throughout the year. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 1596, Williams CA, 95987.
For more information about Karen’s House or their activities, call (530) 701-4310. The organization also has two openings on the board of directors. ■