Albany Stake Relief Society
Women from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this past spring joined forces with Catholic Charities to help support families at the Schoharie Valley domestic violence shelter.
The occasion was the annual conference of the Albany Stake Relief Society, which gathered women from congregations in Albany, Glens Falls, Glenville, Gloversville, Greenville, Greenwich, Hudson, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie Valley, and Bennington, Vermont.
This is the 180th year of the founding of the Relief Society, one of the largest women’s organizations in the world, with over seven million members in 188 countries and territories. Its mission includes working in unity to help those in need. Its leaders issued an invitation to women throughout the world to commemorate the anniversary by serving in their local communities.
Inspired by the conference’s theme, “What does it mean in your life to care for those in need?” Albany Stake women responded by donating “everything from art supplies, sheets, pillows, comforters, small blankets, towels, diapers and wipes, small stuffed animals, toiletries, feminine products, pajamas and slippers, and more” said Michelle Brooksby, president of the Albany Stake unit. “The foyer of the church was filled to overflowing.”
In fact, the donations filled three vans.
Angie Smith, Domestic Violence Program Director for Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties, spoke at the Conference of how their organization strives to support those who find themselves in need of help. The need has become even greater as a result of the pandemic.
“With the beginning of COVID-19,” she said, “New York State crisis hotlines experienced a 40 percent increase in reports of intimate partner/domestic violence, compared to the same period the year before. Locally, there has been a substantial demand for shelter services.”
Ms. Smith said, “Part of the mission of the agency is to provide witness to the scriptural values of justice and mercy, with special emphasis on the poor and vulnerable. We serve all who have been victimized by intimate partner violence regardless of their gender, race, age, religious beliefs, or disability.”
Ms. Brooksby appreciated the chance for Relief Society to partner with Catholic Charities. “Many women expressed how glad they were to help out a local organization by donating items to the Domestic Violence Shelter. They were happy to help those who have found themselves in difficult circumstances, often through no fault of their own. By helping others we follow the scripture that says, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.'"
“The donations from the women’s conference outpouring will help those new families seeking shelter,” said Ms. Smith, “providing them with personal care supplies, linens, supplies for their children, and activities for all ages. These gifts can make someone who has newly arrived feel welcome and cared for. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of this group of warm and giving women.”
