Lincoln County’s domestic violence shelter, The Nest, and their umbrella organization, Help End Abuse for Life (HEAL), are strongly supported by the generous members of this community through donations, participation in events and volunteering. Many people and businesses provide regular support and some go beyond the call of duty to help others. Sheri Rodgers is one of these individuals.
Rodgers, a local realtor at Rio Ruidoso Company, has been a HEAL board member for almost 4 years and is currently serving as Vice President. She knows firsthand how important community support is to the organization. “Without the support of its community for staffing, advocates, fundraising, public relations, legislative lobbying and community education, no shelter can fully support those whose lives literally depend upon its existence,” she said.
An avid knitter, Rodgers first became involved with HEAL and The Nest when she decided to donate her beautiful handmade scarves to the shelter at Christmas as gifts for the residents. This project has expanded into “Knitting for the Nest”, a group of both men and women who knit scarves year-round. According to Rodgers, the group “has contributed many scarves to the residents at the shelter, as well as keeping Josie’s Framery stocked with scarves to sell to the public and giving all proceeds to The Nest.”
For last year’s Aspenfest, Rodgers purchased and donated $200 worth of candy to HEAL and The Nest’s parade float. “Well, you can’t have a parade without candy!” she said humbly.
“These type of unsung efforts, that make even a small difference in people’s lives, are crucial to our impact in this community,” said Rick Hutchison, HEAL board President. “Sheri Rodgers is deeply committed to empowering survivors of domestic violence who live with us at The Nest.”
“Everyone has, by now, learned that having a creative outlet is therapeutic,” Rodgers explained about the adult coloring books and markers she purchased and donated to The Nest. “Women can take a break from thinking about their troubles and get into a creative groove that may stimulate some new ideas about how to make a change in their world. Moms and children can color together and have some peaceful bonding time. There are many reasons why those books are a great idea.”
Sheri Rodgers manages the “lovely little slice of Heaven” that is the La Junta Guest Ranch in Alto. Rodgers and the owners of the ranch generously support HEAL with donated space for meetings and events as well as food left over from family reunions held at La Junta. “When there’s a need for space to have a meeting or host an educator, host an event that will benefit The Nest, La Junta has been a great choice,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes taking the same people and the same meeting to a different location is a good way to stimulate a different conversation.” Further, La Junta has been a supporter of the Deacon Bob Open Golf Tournament, benefiting The Nest, for two years in a row.
Domestic violence is a cause Rodgers holds dear to her heart. “Having been through and around domestic abuse in my life, I know how hopeless it can feel,” she said. “I know what it’s like to feel judged for staying, to feel like no one believes you, to feel like no one understands, to feel like there’s no way out, to feel like no one really hears you.”
This is why she is such an avid supporter of HEAL and The Nest. “It is so incredibly important to help the women have a voice, be heard, be safe, and to be empowered that this is not the only way to live, that there are other options that they deserve,” Rodgers explained. “It is also important that they learn to help break the cycle for their children, so that the pattern is not perpetuated to future generations.”