Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 10, 1992 TAG: 9203100301
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
"We've decided to take this opportunity to re-evaluate our services and the agency, and figure out where we want to be," Katie Gifford, center director, said Monday.
"So much energy got put into running the shelter, and we're going to look into other program areas that we may want to concentrate on."
For example, she said, research indicates that only a small percentage of abuse victims actually call or come to shelters, so the center may try more outreach work to let people know of its services. The center covers Wythe, Carroll, Smyth, Grayson and Bland counties and the city of Galax.
Center workers are looking at the possibility of having someone spend one day a week working in each locality.
Another possibility is expanding the center's courts program, Gifford said. An effort may be made to have courts in each locality schedule all domestic violence cases for the same day, so a center representative can be on hand to work with the women involved.
The center's board met after the Feb. 11 fire that gutted the shelter and decided to gather data on all its options rather than making immediate plans on whether to rebuild or relocate the shelter.
Gifford said a community planning session may be scheduled in the next few months to get ideas from board members, employees, volunteers, clients and others on the directions the program should take.
Meanwhile, she said, all the center's services still are being provided, including shelter for domestic violence victims.
For the first few days after the fire, the Wytheville Econo-Lodge provided rooms for the four families then being housed at the shelter. The families have since found permanent housing.
Space at another motel will be rented as needed for other clients.
The center staff is using temporary office space at the Mount Rogers Mental Health Center on Ridge Road. The center's telephone numbers remain the same (228-8431 or 228-7171).
Lutheran Mountain Ministries is raising money for the center, with a $1,000 goal. Lutheran Brotherhood Branch 8264 will provide matching funds of up to $2,000.
by CNB