In March, CarlLa Horton was dreading the day that Hope’s Door had to relocate from Pleasantville. Fast forward six months later, and Horton couldn’t have been more pleased with the relocation process.

“The move has truly been delighting,” said Horton, the Executive Director of Hope’s Door. “It was very difficult for us in the beginning for us to lose the office in Pleasantville, but the whole experience since has been quite wonderful.”

Since 1980, Hope’s Door has been a domestic violence agency that offers services to victims of domestic abuse and their children. But in the spring, the organization’s lease ended, putting the future of Hope’s Door in question.

Hope’s Door was able to find a new home in Hawthorne right behind the train station. However, there was one problem: the new space had to be renovated. It would not be ready until August, leaving Hope’s Door without an office for four months.

Horton was concerned that the four months would be chaotic because there was no set location. Kristen Orlando, Hope’s Door Prevention Program Coordinator and Domestic Violence Counselor, had to bounce around different locations to meet clients.

“Working from home was difficult just because of seeing the clients,” said Orlando, who has worked with Hope’s Door for four years. “I had a caseload of clients, so I had to travel to different safe locations to meet them.”

Horton had to work out of a garage at the Hope’s Door shelter. Initially, she was nervous about having to work in a new environment. But after settling in, Horton said she was able to gain valuable insight.

“I really miss working in that garage,” Horton said. “It is wonderful to see people come to us after they leave a potentially deadly situation. So after working at that place for four months, I was able to see children who were very hesitant and angry who were then able to trust again and feel safe, and I loved that.”

Since August, Horton and the rest of the staff have settled into their new location. Still, Horton said that she could “work in that garage forever.” Quite a turn for someone who was dreading to leave her old office four months earlier.