Innovative New Spa Program Aids Victims of Domestic Violence

Preston Wynne Spa is one of the most relaxing places in the Silicon Valley. Guests visit the award-winning day spa to escape the stress and anxiety of the "real world" with nurturing body treatments, massage therapy, and expert skin care. Lights are dim, soothing music plays and heavenly aromas fill the air. It's about as far removed from the painful reality of domestic violence as one could get.

"Which is exactly why we've started the Healing Touch Project," says Peggy Wynne Borgman , founder and director of the 19 year old Saratoga Village spa. Healing Touch is conceived as a way to ease stress, raise morale and improve self esteem for domestic violence survivors served by Next Door, a Santa Clara non-profit which provides critical services and shelter for victims of domestic violence. Customers of the spa (or any interested party) can "sponsor" a guest or guests from Next Door's program, who are then able to come to Preston Wynne and enjoy a treatment of their choice. The basic sponsorship is just $25. Preston Wynne then donates the rest of the cost for its services, which normally bill at $85-90 for an hour session. The spa also receives additional donations to Next Door's general fund from enthusiastic customers.

"Spa treatments can help victims of domestic violence on several levels," explains Borgman. "First, they're treated with great respect. They're welcomed by warm, friendly people to a peaceful sanctuary. Then they enjoy the healing benefits of spa treatments. During their spa treatment, they experience therapeutic touch in a deeply positive way. This can help them re-connect with their bodies after trauma."

Next Door's shelter manager has observed that upon their return from the spa, the women may sleep soundly for the first time during their stay at the dormitory-style shelter.

"They are under tremendous stress, in fear for their physicial safety and their lives. Even if we provide just a few hours of relief I believe we're making a difference," says Borgman. "Spa treatments have an array of very profound benefits. Stress relief is obviously a huge benefit, but another benefit is enhanced self esteem."

The shelter manager confirms the benefits the survivors have experienced from the program. "Sad as it sounds, we had a 73 year old woman who was part of a recent spa visit. She said that she felt 40 years younger when she left the spa."

Next Door's services include the 24 hour emergency shelter, a 24 hour hotline and emergency response, a Family Violence Center, individual and group counseling for women and children, in-school education and intervention services, legal services and a certified Batterer's Intervention Program. Like all non-profits that have been hit hard by California's economic downturn, Next Door is experiencing drastic cuts in funding. Preston Wynne has now added shelter workers to the Healing Touch program, since the women also experience tremendous stress on the job, in hopes of helping the agency keep morale up.

"I think businesses in the wellness sector, like spas, have a special imperative to contribute to organizations that are battling domestic violence. It's a massive public health crisis in the US," explains Borgman. "And it's all around us, whether we recognize it or not."

Anyone can make a donation to the Healing Touch Project by phone at (408) 741-5525 or via e-mail.