Early next month, the Safe House for Women will be holding a ceremonial groundbreaking in celebration of building a new shelter.
After several years of fundraising efforts for a shelter campaign, the organization has reached the halfway point of their nearly $2 million goal, and has decided to proceed with the project.
Jessica Hill, executive director of the Safe House, says there has been a growing number of domestic violence reports within the southeast Missouri area.
“I think that we are seeing the incidences of domestic violence increasing, as well as the number of reports, and the number of people reaching out for help,” says Hill. “I think that our community is more aware of the services that the Safe House provides.”
Hill says victims in Cape, Bollinger, and Scott counties are not alone, and if they are in a violent or abusive relationship, the Safe House provides them with a place to go.
Compared to the old location, the new shelter will triple in space at 15,000 square feet, and more than double in beds, from 17 to 40 beds. It will include more living areas, classrooms, a library, and a playroom.
Due to the confidential nature of the project, the groundbreaking will take place off-location at The Victims’ Tree at Cape County Park North on April 6 at 2 p.m. A following reception will take place at Shelter #5.