StorSmart Offers Free Moving and Storage for Domestic Violence Victims

By Alex Hassel, Storage.com

There’s new relief for domestic violence victims in Berrien County, Mich., StorSmart Self Storage has recently teamed up with the county’s Safe Shelter for Domestic Violence to offer free services for victims of domestic violence. Gil Logan, owner of four StorSmart locations in the area, reached out to Safe Shelter about the partnership at the beginning of May 2016 and has already been able to help one victim.

Logan came up with the idea after one of his friends had suffered through domestic violence. He says that brought awareness to him about the issue.

“I though there had to be barriers for people wanting to leave domestic relationships but couldn’t. We’re also a moving company, and it turns out moving expenses and all of the work can make it difficult for a victim to get out. We reached out to Safe Shelter and put this together,” he says.

Now, for the victims working with Safe Shelter who need to leave a home, StorSmart employees will drive a moving truck to the location, pack up belongings, load them, and take them to the new safe environment the victim has in mind. If the victim needs a storage unit during the transitional period, StorSmart will provide that for free as well.

“Everyone at the company is on board with it, too,” Logan explains. “We treat the victim just like we would a paying customer. Before we load belongings onto the truck, we’ll wrap them with padding or whatever that person needs.”

StorSmart is providing free boxes for moving as well.

It didn’t take long for someone to need StorSmart’s help either. Employees helped the first victim after just a few days of offering the service.

“It’s tremendous. It’s already very rewarding to be in business, but to get something personal out of it, you sleep good at night knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. You feel good.”

StorSmart has been involved with other charities like Habitat for Humanity, but Logan says Safe Shelter victims are the company’s main focus now.

Alex Hassel is News Reporter for Storage.com. If you’d like to pitch Alex a self storage industry news story, email alex.hassel@storage.com or call 402-779-7328.