Regional Domestic Violence Shelter Announces Major Upgrades

Interval House

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut’s largest domestic violence agency, Interval House, recently announced a major renovation of its safe house for women and children in Hartford.

The recently completed work was made possible due to a $700,000 grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Housing; a $50,000 grant from the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; grants from Liberty Bank and the William and Alice Mortensen Foundation, and donations from the public.

Interval House serves clients in several area towns, including Andover, Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor.

The two-month project included:

• A total overhaul of the 120-year-old building’s HVAC system to alleviate issues with inconsistent heating, cooling, and leaks, as well as install individual climate control in all bedrooms.

• Four new bathrooms for clients with fresh tile, fixtures, and repaired exhaust fans.

• New flooring and energy-efficient windows.

• Updated lighting.

• Enough new beds, bureaus, side tables, armchairs "to transform 10 bedrooms into relaxing retreats for moms and kids."

• A new state-of-the-art electronic fob system, allowing residents to lock their bedrooms for a sense of security.

“We are overjoyed to provide our families with not only a safe space, but a beautiful one, with
all the comforts of home as they address their lives following abuse,” said Mary-Jane Foster,
president and chief executive officer at Interval House. “Our team is excited to welcome survivors and their kids into a house that mirrors what we promote in our program: Self-worth and self-love.”

Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Commissioner of the State of Connecticut Department of Housing,
toured the renovated facility and spoke about the importance of safe housing for victims and
unhoused individuals.

Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, and Connecticut state representatives Kate Farrar, Gillian Gilchrest, and Tammy Nuccio were also in attendance to view the facility before it reopened to clients last month.

The crown jewel of the project is an "eye-popping" mural of peonies, roses, chrysanthemums and
Anemones by East Hartford artist Micaela Levesque.

Said Levesque: “Murals have the power to shift the mood of a space. I felt drawn to this project because I wanted to help create a welcoming sanctuary where women could feel a sense of peace and safety. I chose to paint flowers because they are universally loved, beautifully delicate, and symbolic of positive growth.”

Interval House shelters 100-125 people a year in its confidentially-located safe house.

“Our moms and kids deserve this,” said Lorraine Cowen, Interval House's director of residential services. “They work unbelievably hard to pull themselves out of horrendous situations. This is the least we can do to make their time here uplifting.”

Founded in 1977, Interval House is the largest agency in the state of Connecticut dedicated to
preventing and breaking the cycle of domestic violence. It serves 24 towns and cities near Hartford. Interval House annually helps 6,500 people who experience abuse at the hands of a domestic or intimate partners. It features a 24-Hour Hotline at 860-838-8467. To support: www.intervalhousect.org/donate. To follow Interval House, log on to www.Facebook.com/intervalhousect, and/or www.Instagram.com/intervalhousect;www.LinkedIn.com/company/intervalhousect.

For more information on Interval House, click on this link.