Twenty-two years ago, Janine Limas arrived at Interval House heartbroken and devastated, terrified for her life and for the lives of her two young children. After suffering years of abuse from her husband, Limas had finally found safety and refuge at Interval House – the local Seal Beach crisis shelter for victims of domestic violence that Limas credits with saving her life.
Today, Limas, a long-time Seal Beach resident and community leader, never fails to think of the place she once called home so many years ago.
“I always love to invite our local residents to come and meet the families at Interval House because it’s so hard to think of families living in a shelter in fear for their lives, during this time of year; but, when I see the faces of the women and children at Interval House, I see hope – hope for a life filled with love, happiness and a safe New Year for their families… the things we all dream of,” Limas says.
Seal Beach has been the birthplace and home of Interval House since 1979, when it opened its first small, three-bedroom emergency shelter. Over the years, Interval House has grown into a nationally recognized domestic violence program with shelters, transitional housing and service sites in many surrounding cities in Orange County and Long Beach. Still, Interval House remains dedicated to our local Seal Beach community, where it has provided life-saving services to women and children for over three decades.
“The holidays are our busiest time of year – and this year is no exception. Our shelters are filled with families who are dreaming of a safe and happy future for their families in the New Year,” says Interval House Executive Director Carol Williams. “We’re so grateful to our Seal Beach community for remembering us, especially during this time of year, and for sharing your good fortune, warmth and holiday spirit with the women and children living with us today.”
For Limas and the thousands of others who have called Interval House home during the holidays, their wish is to give back to the place that saved their lives.
“There’s nothing that I love more than thinking of Interval House during this time of year, and reminding my friends and fellow residents in Seal Beach that if you’re going to support a charity at year’s end, there is no better place than our own local shelter that started right here in our beautiful city 35 years ago,” Limas says.
“I am so hopeful that our local community will continue to share their spirit of generosity with the many women and children who desperately need the love, joy, and support that your donation would provide,” she adds. “Your donation goes directly to the women and children of Interval House. I know – I’m a living example of how it can change your life.”
Donations to help Interval House residents start the New Year off positively may be sent directly to: Interval House Holiday Gift, P.O. Box 3356, Seal Beach, CA 90740. Or, you may stop by the Interval House office at 6615 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 170, Long Beach 90803. For more information, or to make special arrangements, please call Carol Williams at (562) 594-9492, extension 222.
