Pacific’s Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society Chapter Renovates Room at Domestic Violence Shelter

Members of the Pacific University Psi Chi psychology honor society chapter spent April 2-3 renovating a bedroom at Monika's House, the only domestic violence shelter in Washington County. Monika's House is a 24-bed facility that annually serves more than 200 adults, children and pets fleeing their homes because of imminent physical danger.

Coordinated by senior Jhoevhana Sabado '16 and faculty supervisor Dawn Salgado, Psi Chi  sponsored one of Monika's House's large family rooms, which houses five individuals. They and fellow Psi Chi members spent the weekend painting and organizing the room, putting together furniture and decorating.

"This provided us with an opportunity to give back to an organization that meets the needs of survivors of family violence at a critical time in their lives," Salgado said. "The experience was really meaningful and allowed us to support a much-needed resource in the community."

Joining Sabado and Salgado were student Psi Chi members Tyler Boulanger '17, Jamie Koch '17, Brianna Johnson '16, Alicia Vasquez '17, Jessica Noochan '16, Dakota Stewart '17, Margaret Pham '17, Pali Kaloi Jordan '18 and Colin Scott '16.

Sabado's passion to work with domestic violence survivors eventually connected her with the Hillsboro-based Domestic Violence Resource Center, which operates Monika's House. As an on-call support resident staff, she learned about the renovations needed for two of the bedrooms in the house. Sabado proposed the renovation opportunity to other Psi Chi members, as the chapter was looking for a community service project to undertake.

"The intent is not to merely renovate a room, but to give the next family and future families a place where they feel safe," Sabado said. "I am extremely grateful to Pacific University's Psi Chi chapter and our donors for providing funds, time and effort to make this renovation possible."

Without the funds, Sabado added that the group would not have been able to provide survivors with new necessities like bedsheets, a dresser, nightstand and lamp as they recover.

"Sometimes, we don't think about the importance of our bedrooms because we have the privilege to come home to one at the end of every single day," Sabado said. "For those escaping domestic violence, freshly painted walls, new bedsheets, and a safe haven can make all the difference."