Battered women's shelter seeks public's help

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Mother of three Laura Salgado left her abusive husband four years ago at the urging of a police officer. The 30-year-old was able to turn her life around thanks to the Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles, spending two months at the shelter with her children.

Now, four years later, they say it was a magical place for all of them.

"I'm very grateful for all the sisters here. And my kids too. We love this place," Salgado said.

Good Shepherd Shelter is a privately-funded transitional shelter for battered women and their children, but it's not a typical shelter. Each family lives independently in an apartment on the property. The children attend school during their stay, while mothers receive emotional counseling and career guidance.

"When I got here, I couldn't believe my eyes," Salgado said.

It's a cause that the Doheny Foundation is getting into. If the shelter raises $125,000 by Dec. 9, the foundation will make a matching donation to help the shelter purchase a new apartment building that would house additional families.

"We don't have a lot of time, so we're rushing," said Sister Anne Kelley with Good Shepherd Shelter. "We're just so determined to do it, because it's so important. There are so many families still living the nightmare of domestic violence."

To donate to the Good Shepherd Shelter, go to www.goodshepherdshelter.org.