A SHOCKING domestic violence incident where a woman died was the catalyst for a charity shop to provide support for women.
Family friends of Doreen Langham, the woman who died in a Browns Plains fire in February, decided that they would get on the front foot with supporting victims by opening Defenders For Hope.
The shop is run by the charity of the same name, which aims to bring together services available for women faced with domestic violence.
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The charity shop, on Centenary Place, Logan Village. will also raise money to run vital programs to protect vulnerable women.
The shop officially opened on Monday morning. It will be open Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm.
Manager Tomeeka Smith opened the outlet with mother Kathy Smith, sister Tina Daw and sister-in-law Elise Smith.
"[When Doreen died] it really hit close to home, and I think a lot of people in Jimboomba felt that," Ms Smith said.
It really hit close to home, and I think a lot of people in Jimboomba felt that
- Tomeeka Smith
"We wanted a charity to just be the link between everybody.
The charity was established in April, and Ms Smith put the shop idea to the board a month ago.
From the idea to the shop's fruition, it has been a whirlwind.
"Since we said let's do it, we haven't had a chance to think about what we have put into it," Ms Smith, who will volunteer at the shop while also working a fulltime job, said.
It has office spaces and Ms Smith has big plans to attract services to the premises, like counsellors.
She said anyone who contacted them would be able to get help.
"Whether they contact us in person, the website or on Facebook," Ms Smith said.
Ms Smith said a lot of people donated plenty of time to allow the shop to open.
"I don't think I would have made it," she said.
Mother Kathy, who organised an afternoon tea for domestic violence support at Jimboomba, was essential to the cause.
"She has opened op shops before, and said 'what can I do'," she said.
The shop will sell clothes, toys, bric-a-brac, furniture and more.
Ms Smith said she would welcome donations at the shop.
"We'll take literally anything we can," she said.
You can get in touch by emailing defendersforhope@gmail.com or by dropping into the shop next to the containers for change facility..
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