Barbara Saville Shelter Hosts Water Day for Families

This summer, the team at our Barbara Saville Domestic Violence Shelter organized a special Water Day to give the children currently staying at the shelter a chance to simply be kids. Thanks to the amazing donation from the Gutierrez Family, everyone was laughing, playing, and soaking up summer fun.

The Barbara Saville Domestic Violence Shelter provides emergency housing, case management, counseling, and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence in Kings County. The shelter is open 24/7 and offers a safe, supportive environment where families can begin the healing process.

With more than ten children residing at the shelter alongside their mothers, the event was a welcome break. The shelter’s caring staff created a backyard oasis with sprinklers, water balloons, splash toys, and plenty of sunshine, turning the shelter grounds into a safe space of celebration and laughter. While it may have looked like just another summer activity from the outside, it was about so much more. Opportunities to play and connect in a safe, supportive environment are critical. Events like this provide relief, encourage positive social interactions, and help children build trust in the world around them.

The staff at Barbara Saville Shelter worked thoughtfully to create this joyful experience and enrich the lives of those staying there through some simple summer fun, ensuring it was both safe and therapeutic for the families they serve.

To protect the privacy and safety of the women and children residing in the shelter, the image used to accompany this story is a stock photo and not of actual participants.