Margritte Graf started volunteering one day a week in the resale store, but soon it was two days, then sometimes five. While she committed to working three hours at a time, she’s often there much longer.


SERENITY When Margritte “Greeta” Graf


moved to Mountain Home from Wiscon- sin, it didn’t take long for her to get involved in the community. “My identity has been in caring for


others. I had an adult family home and took care of people with disabilities and I needed a new identity,” Graf said. The 48-year-old has endured numer-


ous back surgeries, which forced to go on disability. She and her husband moved to Arkansas hoping the warmer weather would be better for her health. A month after moving, she walked


into the Donation Station operated by Serenity and asked if they needed help. Serenity provides emergency shelter and advocacy services for survivors of domestic violence. With a team of 11 employees and 40


volunteers, they offer assistance with protection orders, advocacy toward independence, support group programs and client transportation. Serenity operates two resale stores,


offering domestic violence survivors goods free of charge, and using the general sales income to support opera- tions. Graf started volunteering one day a


week in the resale store, but soon it was two days, then sometimes five. While she committed to working three hours at a time, she’s often there much longer. “She goes above and beyond,” said


Donna Forrester, executive director. “We have great volunteers.” The community is so generous, there


are always donations coming in to sort, said Graf. It was a win-win. “It helped me get out of the house,


meet a few people. Fight depression. I have never lived anywhere but up north


Serenity provides emergency shelter and advocacy services for survivors of domestic violence.


so this is new to me. I’ve made friends. I like being around people. I am not used to not working, so it helped me to get out and feel like I am making a differ- ence,” Graf said. In the future, Graf might volunteer


at the shelter. It has helped her as much as it helps others, said Graf. “I have seen it make a difference in


so many people’s lives,” Graf said. “There are other volunteers who have recently lost a loved one, a husband, and that brought them in there to have something to do. We have become a family, it’s an amazing place.” More help Donna Forrester said they struggle


to find people to help with transporta- tion, which is volunteering to give the women rides to a doctor’s appointment, job interview, etc. People don’t have to commit to a specific number of rides, even if they are willing to be on a call list, it would help. Call (870) 424-7576. Online: www.serenityinc.org


Serenity operates two resale stores, offering domestic violence survivors goods free of charge, and using the general sales income to support operations.


14 Living Well i March/April 2018


Living Well i March/April 2018 15


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