No More Fisticuffs at Kentucky Abuse Shelter

We often hear accounts of persons in DV shelters who get engaged in physical or verbal confrontations with other shelter residents. That probably won’t be a problem for a while at the Hope’s Wings shelter in Richmond, Kentucky…

Hope’s Wings to Share Space at Police Department

By Ronica Shannon
July 17, 2010

RICHMOND — Approximately 280 square feet of space at the Richmond Police Department on Lexington Road will be used as office space for Hope’s Wings Domestic Violence Shelter.

The Richmond City Commission adopted an order during its Tuesday meeting allowing the premises to be used as an in-kind donation beginning July 15.

This is an effort to keep Hope’s Wings afloat in Richmond, and helps meet grant requirements needed to sustain extra funding through next year, according to Suzanne Howell, assistant director for the shelter.

The grant specifics required that there be an in-kind donation from a community entity.

Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock said he was approached 10 days ago by Suzanne Howell, assistant director of Hope’s Wings.

“We saw it as a benefit to both of us and that’s why we asked the commission to approve their request for space,” Brock said. “We encounter domestic violence complaints on a regular basis and Hope’s Wings has been a great resource and partner for us.”

Hope’s Wings was forced to close its shelter services earlier this year because of a lack of funding.

The organization continues to assist victims of domestic violence, even if it cannot offer them emergency shelter.

Hope’s Wings also offers personal and educational counseling as well as job placement assistance to help victims of domestic violence rebuild their lives and gain their independence.

Howell will be a tool for Richmond’s police officers as well.

“Ms. Howell is well-versed in domestic violence procedures and orders from her prior experience working in a county attorney’s office,” Brock said. “We anticipate that she will be able to provide assistance and training to our officers on issues related to domestic violence. She will also be a valuable resource in obtaining services for victims. It’s a win-win partnership as far as we are concerned.”

Howell explained that the new space in the police department would not be a permanent relocation for the shelter.

“We’re not going to move,” she said. “It’s going to be a mobile office. It’s really just the next progression in things we’re already doing in the community, which is trying to meet the victims where they are. If (domestic violence victims) come to the police department about domestic violence incidents, they can meet with me. The whole theory behind advocacy is that if you connect with the victim, offer services and support, and let them know that they’re not going to be along, it goes a lot better. Working in conjunction with the police department makes perfect sense.”

Brock’s efforts in assisting the program have been a tremendous asset, according to Howell.

“From day one, Chief (Larry) Brock has been supportive and gone above and beyond what he had to do,” she said. “I can’t say enough how lucky we’ve been.”

Source: http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x226603650/Hope-s-Wings-to-share-space-at-police-department

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