A new Laurel House has opened in North Wales, reports Dan Solkil for North Penn Now.

The transitional housing space will offer a place to go for women escaping abuse in Montgomery County. 

Laurel House, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence, recently launched its Nehemiah’s Way transitional home in the borough. This occasion came during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Borough Mayor Neil McDevitt shared the news at the October 8 council meeting, expressing gratitude for Laurel House’s work. “We are thrilled to open our doors to more survivors of domestic abuse. Thank you to the borough of North Wales for welcoming us with open arms,” Laurel House said after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Laurel House, founded in 1980, began as an emergency shelter and hotline for women in crisis. It has since grown into a full-service nonprofit. They offer counseling, emergency response teams, a thrift store in Hatfield, and a shelter in Upper Gwynedd, which opened in 2022. The organization merged with Nehemiah’s Way in the late 1990s. This expanded their services to include transitional housing for families rebuilding their lives.

The North Wales property, gifted to Laurel House over 20 years ago, has been used as individual apartments for survivors and is now undergoing refurbishment. The first residents, a mother and her son, have already been identified. A fundraising campaign is underway to renovate each unit, and those interested in supporting the cause can donate online.

Mayor McDevitt toured the newly refurbished home and was impressed by the care taken to create a safe, welcoming environment.

Read more about Nehemiah’s Home in North Penn Now.