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A Mindful Makeover

JIM REED/The Tampa Tribune

Gilbert Valentin, left, and Sarah Peters move furniture back into the Sex Crimes and Family Violence Unit family waiting area as the GFWC Tampa Junior Woman's Club does a make over of the room. The club did the work as a community service project at the police headquarters in down town Tampa Saturday.

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 3, 2008

DOWNTOWN - Turning the waiting room for sex crime victims and their families into a warm living room was the aim of the GFWC Tampa Junior Woman's Club.

Club members hit their mark, Tampa police Sgt. Paul Mumford said.

"They did a fantastic job," Mumford said. "When a child comes through the police department, it's very frightening to them. The waiting area is a perfect opportunity for them to relax while business is being conducted."

Club President Samantha Valentin said eight volunteers painted the walls and rearranged furniture April 26 at the department, 411 N. Franklin St.

Rooms to Go donated a leather couch and two end tables. Jim Walter Homes provided a 23-inch, flat-screen TV set, a ficus tree and the paint.

Donated Wal-Mart and Target gift cards were used to buy decorative items, children's books, toys and games for the room's Sony PlayStation. Club members also donated items.

"We're very thrilled," Valentin said. "It's a night-and-day difference. It has a calming feeling to it."

Victims and witnesses use the room daily while often-long investigations are conducted, Mumford said.

Young victims are often accompanied by several family members. The waiting room helps keep them occupied during a difficult time.

"This helps us to provide victims a place to wait in comfort," Mumford said. "It's so much more clean and warm. It feels more homey. I'm very pleased."

Founded in 1935, the Tampa Junior Woman's Club, a service organization associated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs, provides college scholarships and supports groups such as Hillsborough County Children's Services and Tampa Fire Rescue.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The GFWC Tampa Junior Woman's Club meets the third Wednesday of the month from August to May at its clubhouse, 2901 Bayshore Blvd. The next meeting is scheduled for May 21. For information, call (813) 835-7320 or go to www.gfwctampajuniors.com.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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