ASTEH Becomes Sara’s House
Sara Ciacci z’l is, in many ways, an urban legend—a name synonymous with impact, compassion, and transformative change in our community.
Sara dedicated her life to fighting food insecurity, most notably co-founding the Jewish Food Bank in 1984. She was also a passionate advocate against domestic violence, establishing ASTEH (Alternative Short Term Emergency Housing), an emergency shelter for women escaping abuse. Today, we honor her extraordinary impact by renaming ASTEH to Sara’s House, a tribute to her unwavering commitment to empowering women and building their resilience.
A survivor of domestic violence herself, Sara deeply understood the fear, shame, and stigma that women and children face when escaping abuse. Her firsthand experience drove her determination to create a safe space where Jewish women and their children could find refuge and rebuild their lives.
Sara’s House: A Sanctuary for Women and Children
Sara’s House is a community-based housing facility providing security, stability, and support to Jewish women and their children fleeing violence or at risk of homelessness. With the guidance of JFS counselors and care managers, women are empowered to explore their options and make decisions that lead to a safer, more hopeful future.
Over the years, Sara’s House has been a haven for dozens of women and their children. One such story is Abby’s.
Abby’s Journey to Safety
When Abby first walked into JFS, she was overwhelmed with fear and desperation. Fifteen years into her marriage, a sudden violent shift forced her to confront the emotional, verbal, and financial abuse that had been present from the start. She never thought she would find herself in this situation.
“Tanja told me she felt I had a very good chance of getting out of the abuse and I was a good candidate for ASTEH housing. By the end, I felt overwhelming relief. It was the life preserver I needed to get out,” Abby recalls.
A Lasting Tribute
We are profoundly grateful for Sara’s legacy of dedication, empathy, and action. With the renaming of ASTEH to Sara’s House, her vision of providing a safe haven for women and children will live on, inspiring future generations to continue the work of protecting and empowering those in need.
Join Us in Honoring Sara’s Legacy
Your support helps sustain Sara’s House and the life-changing services it provides. Together, we can ensure that every woman and child facing abuse has a safe place to turn. To learn more or to contribute, please visit jfsvancouver.ca/donate/.