With police officers around the country receiving some bad press recently, the Women’s Refuge of Vero Beach wanted to make sure local officers know they are not only needed but loved. To the women who live or receive counseling at the Refuge campus, their sanctuary feels even more secure having the Vero Beach Police Department visible from their porch. To thank them, they treated the officers to an appreciation lunch last Friday afternoon.
Members of the department were invited to relax and enjoy a cookout lunch with burgers grilled up by volunteers, as Josiah Nalzaro performed beautiful music on the front lawn of the campus. In addition to hugs and handshakes, a banner made by residents and staff related just how much the support of the police department means to them.
Among the statements: “You keep us safe.” “We are blessed to live in a country where we can call for help and heroes respond.” “I love seeing you on patrol.” “We need you! “
“We wanted to honor the police because they have been extremely good to us for 18 years,” said Donna Robart, WRVB founder and executive director. “We know that perhaps there is a lot of media going on against them right now, and we are not taking a political stand, but we just want to say we understand and show our appreciation for the fact that they help us all the time.”
Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey attended with the first group of officers, walking down the lane to greet the staff, board members, volunteers and residents and enjoy the cookout.
“Donna approached us about a month or two ago to come so they could show their appreciation for our help,” said Currey. “I think it gives them a certain peace of mind that we are so close by, too. This was awfully nice of them but this is what we do. I wanted to be here so they know that this is something important to us because it is important to them.”
He acknowledged that his officers have been involved in the past with certain incidences at the Refuge, including a recent situation when two women needed to be found. He felt that may have played a small part in prompting this get-together.
“When they said we were going to be doing something for the police officers, it really fit,” said Laura Dykstra a resident there. “It’s really cool to be able to show them honor and respect, because I don’t know that they always get it, but they have been true friends to us.”
Robart and husband Ted founded the Christian-based Women’s Refuge in 1972. She says she was called to open a mission for women who were emotionally, mentally or spiritually wounded by teaching them through Christian ministry.
Some of the women live at the residence, while others live elsewhere but receive counseling, training or attend programs to better their lives through a relationship with God. Referrals are made through pastors, doctors and others in the community who know of their work, and Robart said that while the number fluctuates constantly, the Refuge currently assists approximately 200 women.