MANSFIELD – The Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc. is inviting community members, businesses, organizations, and community partners to join its Room to Heal Campaign, a fundraising initiative dedicated to providing safety, support, and hope to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking throughout Richland County.
For 48 years, The Domestic Violence Shelter has served as a safe haven for individuals and families seeking refuge from violence and a path toward healing. Every day, survivors arrive at the shelter in search of safety, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Through the Room to Heal Campaign, community members can help ensure that every survivor who walks through the shelter’s doors is met with comfort, dignity, and compassionate support.
Last year alone, The Domestic Violence Shelter provided emergency shelter and support services to 144 survivors, answered 847 crisis hotline calls, and assisted 172 survivors through its Sexual Assault Program. As the demand for services continues to grow, community support remains essential to sustaining these life-changing programs.
“When survivors come to us, they are often experiencing one of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives,” said Peggy Butt, Interim Executive Director of The Domestic Violence Shelter.
“A safe and welcoming room provides more than shelter. It offers a place to rest, heal, regain stability, and begin imagining a future free from violence. Every contribution to the Room to Heal Campaign helps create that opportunity.”
Founded in 1978 as one of Ohio’s first domestic violence shelters, The Domestic Violence Shelter has grown from a small volunteer-led organization into a comprehensive service provider serving survivors throughout Richland County.
Today, the agency operates a 16,622-square-foot facility that can accommodate up to 48 individuals, including survivors, children, and pets.
In addition to emergency shelter, the organization provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, safety planning, advocacy, case management, support groups, legal advocacy, hospital accompaniment for survivors of sexual assault, prevention education and community awareness programming. These services help survivors move beyond crisis and toward long-term safety, independence and healing.
The Room to Heal Campaign provides multiple opportunities for community members to make a meaningful impact:
- $50 helps provide essential supplies and comfort items for survivors arriving at shelter.
- $100 helps support crisis response and advocacy services.
- $250 helps provide safety planning, case management and support resources for survivors and their families.
- $500 joins with other community gifts to help create and maintain a Room to Heal.
- $2,500 helps fund a shared room and provides a safe, welcoming space for survivors beginning their healing journey.
- $5,000 helps fully sponsor and sustain a Room to Heal, ensuring survivors have a safe place to rest, recover and rebuild.
“No matter the size of the gift, every donation helps create safety, stability, and hope,” Butt added.
“Together, we can ensure that every survivor who reaches out for help finds more than a bed for the night. They find supportive services, compassionate advocates and a community that believes in their future.”
The Domestic Violence Shelter encourages individuals, businesses, civic organizations, faith communities and community partners to participate in the campaign and help create a brighter future for survivors and their families.
To make a gift to the Room to Heal Campaign, visit Support the Room to Heal Campaign.
For additional information about the campaign or the services provided by The Domestic Violence Shelter, please contact Donna Hight, Ph.D., at 419-774-5843 ext. 110 or dhight@thedvshelter.com.
About The Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc.
The Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc. provides emergency shelter, advocacy, prevention education and support services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking throughout Richland County. Through survivor-centered and trauma-informed services, the organization works to promote safety, healing, and hope while building a community free from violence.