A new emergency shelter and resource center that’s in the works for domestic violence victims just hit a major milestone.
The Domestic Violence Resource Center has reached about 98% of its fundraising goal and only needs $500,000 to reach it.
As of now, they say there aren’t enough resources to help everyone who needs support, and this new center will help with that.
Alyssa Ropell, the Development Manager for DVRC, said, "In Washoe County right now, there are 35 domestic violence shelter beds exclusively for survivors. That's not enough for a population that's exceeding 500,000 people, and so we wanted to take this initiative on to make sure that we can say yes to more people."
They’re now entering the vertical construction phase of their construction project, marked by the installation of steel beams.
The group hopes to have their new shelter completed by the summer of next year.
Ropell told us, "Having a support system that is confidential and addresses a variety of needs is really important. A lot of times, people will stay in abusive relationships to avoid homelessness."
With the new resource center, they'll be able to provide legal advocacy, counseling, life-skill activities, and financial coaching.
They told us that being able to have all those resources, as well as housing under the same roof, is a huge help for survivors to begin their healing journey.
Ropell said, "Being able to reduce barriers and provide access to financial coaching, employment, support, and advocacy counseling, as well as shelter in one location, is really the best way to help people move toward independence and stability."
Unfortunately, they say a lot of people might not recognize the abuse that is directed at them.
They say it's hard to break away from the cycle if you're being manipulated to think you are the problem, or even worse, to think that the abuse is normal.
Ropell told us, "With domestic violence, it's all about power and control, and so whether that be control over finances, physical control, emotional manipulation, it's so important that survivors move away from that period of isolation. A lot of times, their friends and family have been isolated away from them."
If you need help, their hotline is available 24/7. You can reach them at (775) 329-4150.
