about the shelter
The Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that opened its doors in 1979 as one of the first three domestic violence shelters in the state of Ohio. The Shelter was founded by a group of concerned citizens who were moved to provide much needed assistance to victims of domestic violence that found themselves in danger without options for safety.
The program began in a downtown Mansfield office with an all-volunteer staff. A few years later, a generous community member donated a three story house to The Shelter. After several renovations, the house became a four bedroom shelter with administrative offices on the third floor. In 1998, The Shelter, with a grant from Richland County Foundation, purchased its current facility.
Our current property has nearly 10,000 square feet with 10 client rooms that can house up to 29 individuals comfortably. The Shelter has evolved from providing primarily emergency shelter to becoming a fully functioning agency that provides a range of services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
In 2007, The Shelter became a dual focused program and now provides 24/7 advocacy and support to survivors of sexual assault who present in the emergency rooms of OhioHealth Mansfield and Avita Health System.
In 2020, we made a bold move to purchase the building adjacent to our existing Shelter. The need for this expansion is highlighted by the findings of the 14th annual “Domestic Violence Counts Report, Ohio Summary.” This report found that on September 12, 2019 there were “263 Unmet Requests for Services [during the survey period]… of which 91% (239) were for Housing and Emergency Shelter.” This survey reflects the experience of the people we serve and is the impetus behind our expansion. Once fully renovated, this recently acquired space will increase our client capacity by 70%. If our Shelter is full, the next closest shelter is 22 miles away, substantially smaller, and unable to regularly accommodate the overflow from Richland County. Our expansion will allow us to address the spike of domestic violence within our community and avoid forcing survivors to travel for help.
Our organization's services include emergency shelter, 24 hour crisis line, intensive case management, support groups, legal advocacy, 24 hour hospital advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, community awareness and education as well as an active volunteer program.
The program began in a downtown Mansfield office with an all-volunteer staff. A few years later, a generous community member donated a three story house to The Shelter. After several renovations, the house became a four bedroom shelter with administrative offices on the third floor. In 1998, The Shelter, with a grant from Richland County Foundation, purchased its current facility.
Our current property has nearly 10,000 square feet with 10 client rooms that can house up to 29 individuals comfortably. The Shelter has evolved from providing primarily emergency shelter to becoming a fully functioning agency that provides a range of services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
In 2007, The Shelter became a dual focused program and now provides 24/7 advocacy and support to survivors of sexual assault who present in the emergency rooms of OhioHealth Mansfield and Avita Health System.
In 2020, we made a bold move to purchase the building adjacent to our existing Shelter. The need for this expansion is highlighted by the findings of the 14th annual “Domestic Violence Counts Report, Ohio Summary.” This report found that on September 12, 2019 there were “263 Unmet Requests for Services [during the survey period]… of which 91% (239) were for Housing and Emergency Shelter.” This survey reflects the experience of the people we serve and is the impetus behind our expansion. Once fully renovated, this recently acquired space will increase our client capacity by 70%. If our Shelter is full, the next closest shelter is 22 miles away, substantially smaller, and unable to regularly accommodate the overflow from Richland County. Our expansion will allow us to address the spike of domestic violence within our community and avoid forcing survivors to travel for help.
Our organization's services include emergency shelter, 24 hour crisis line, intensive case management, support groups, legal advocacy, 24 hour hospital advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, community awareness and education as well as an active volunteer program.
