Domestic violence survivors are often balancing trauma recovery, caring for children and the legal and financial challenges in leaving an abusive relationship and starting over.

And that’s why the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley staff is so grateful for donations and help from community members like the Heters.

The family, which operates Heter Family Woodworking, in addition to their own personal outreach that helps single moms, is donating thousands of dollars in materials and labor to upgrade the DVC’s shelter kitchen and offer a much-needed facelift.

Throughout the year, Heter Family Woodworking additionally makes house calls and donates Noah’s craftsmanship free of charge, by nomination, to local Santa Clarita single moms or widows

“The kitchen is a place where so many meaningful conversations take place,” said Linda Davies, executive director of the Domestic Violence Center, who’s also watched the shelter help countless “survivors become thrivers,” which is the goal of DVC staff.

“They’re changing out all of the cabinets and drawers,” Davies said, “Basically, the faces of all of them. It’s going to be beautiful — it’s going to sparkle.”  

The care is being shared by the Santa Clarita-based, family-owned woodworking business specializing in finished carpentry. Brendie Heter was raised by a widowed mother, and recalls how contractors often took advantage of single moms like hers, ballooning the costs and other back-handed moves.

Brendie and her husband, Noah, wanted to help other single moms avoid a similar experiences.  They contacted friends and several nonprofits, such as the DVC, to see how they could help.  Brendie called Linda and said, ‘I don’t really know what this partnership looks like – but let’s find something. Is there anything you need?’”

In her typically direct style, Davies quickly disclosed, “Our kitchen is a disaster.”

Brendie’s husband, Noah, assessed the kitchen remodel and they agreed to donate the labor entirely, but the materials would be $2,500. Davies received a grant from the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley for the cost. However, without Linda knowing, the Heters privately fundraised the entire material cost in less than a week.

The Zonta Club of SCV, which is a partner and big supporters of the DVC, still agreed to chip in $1,000 for any additional housework, after Davies let them know the money had been raised.

The shelter, which is safely tucked away from the DVC’s campus at the Savia Community Center at an undisclosed location to protect survivors, helps dozens of clients each month escape violence.

The DVC’s shelter — essentially a four-bedroom home that allows clients stays of 30 days at a time (per operational policy, to help as many women as possible, and because they’re meant as transitional facilities — is not only a place to stay. It also houses

The Heter family, which operates Heter Family Woodworking, in addition to their own personal outreach that helps single moms, is donating thousands of dollars in materials and labor to upgrade the DVC’s shelter kitchen.

therapeutic counseling programs and gives space for clients to help get their legal and financial needs secured.

“And now it’s going to have such an upgrade,” Davies said. “It’s going to be amazing that that place and, more importantly, the people who stay there, are going to feel cared for.”
Throughout the year, Heter Family Woodworking additionally makes house calls and donates Noah’s craftsmanship free of charge, by nomination, to local Santa Clarita single moms or widows. The business accepts nominations as time and space permits on the list are available for the family business on the business’ Facebook page. The next nomination period is expected to open after the shelter kitchen is completed. Residents can “Like” their Facebook page to be notified of the next nomination period for free home repairs.