Crime victims to be offered free vacations
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By Susan Smallheer Staff Writer - Published: March 16, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — When Robert A. Janowski inherited his family's longtime vacation home in Cavendish, he decided to do something besides go on vacation.
Janowski, a Springfield native who now lives on the New Hampshire seacoast, founded Summer Home Dreams Inc., a nonprofit group that will match up vacation homes with crime survivors and victims.
Janowski met Friday with the Vermont Victims/Survivors of Crime Council in Springfield, to go over his plans for the summer of 2008.
The council, a statewide organization of crime victims, had earlier endorsed his plan, which will start in Windsor County, and hopefully spread statewide.
Janowski said he was astonished to find out that such an idea hadn't been tried before – in Vermont or elsewhere. He said it would be a great example of "neighbors helping neighbors."
Janowski said that the council will make placements and recommendations, and he is now looking for other vacation homeowners in Windsor County to donate their homes for a week or longer, to offer victims a respite from their troubles.
The council is affiliated with the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.
The program will not be a safe house program, he said, and only survivors of crimes who feel they are no longer in danger are eligible for the program.
The therapeutic effects of a vacation can be great for victims, he said, allowing them to relax, "and just take a break."
Summer Home Dreams Inc., has been incorporated and has obtained 501(c)3 tax status, enabling people to receive tax credits for their donations and for the organization to operate as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
"We will provide a free one-week vacation to Vermont victims of violent crime and sexual abuse," he said.
Janowski said Friday he was meeting with 12 other vacation home owners or real estate agents in the Okemo area that night to solicit donations for his program.
Amy Messina, a member of the council and a local real estate agent, said the group hoped to start with 12 homes this summer and then expand.
Messina said she researched the proposal extensively and could find nothing like it anywhere.
For more information, check out the organization's Web site: www.summerhomedreams.org, or contact Janowski at bob.janowski@summerhomedreams.org.
Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com.
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