Alexandria Knitters Make Blankets and Scarves for Safe House Residents
The Barrett Branch library group made the gifts by hand for people receiving shelter through the city’s Domestic Violence Program.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The blankets and scarves on the table were knitted and crocheted by volunteers at Old Town’s Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library. On Nov. 4, Alexandria’s Carefull Knit and Crochet group gave them to the city’s Domestic Violence Program for people staying at its Safe House.
Lynn Jordan, an Alexandria Celebrates Women board member, represented the group at the presentation to Debra Evans, the city’s division chief for the Sexual Assault Center and Domestic Violence Program. In notes she shared with The Zebra, Jordan wrote that the group hoped the gifts would “help make the residents feel more comfortable and cared about as they transition out of crisis situations.”
The group began in 2018 after a one-time knitting event at the Barrett Branch. “A participant commented that it would be nice if the items being made were going toward some purpose,” librarian Megan Zimmerman told The Zebra in 2024.
What the Safe House provides
The Safe House provides emergency shelter at a confidential location for people fleeing domestic violence. In fiscal year 2025, the shelter served 101 people, including 55 adults and 46 children. The broader Domestic Violence Program handled 2,378 hotline calls that year. City’s FY2025 Community Impact Report
The Domestic Violence Program also offers crisis support, short-term counseling and help navigating medical, police and court systems. Its 24-hour hotline is 703-746-4911.
How to help
The city’s shelter wish list includes grocery and retail gift cards, diapers and pull-ups, baby wipes, laundry detergent, toiletries and pantry staples such as canned soup and children’s snacks. The city asks donors to call 703-746-4911 before dropping off items.
Carefull Knit and Crochet meets on the first and third Thursday afternoons of each month at the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library to work on projects for donation. For information about current projects, email librarian Megan Zimmerman at [email protected].
