Domestic Violence Resource Center - Taylorsville, NC

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A Project Director was hired to provide community education. The Project Director Michelle Cole, wrote a Governor's Crime Commission Grant to implement the beginning of what has become a domestic violence shelter program in Alexander County. A Board of Directors was formed in April of 2000. Board members consist of local business owners and managers, local attorneys and local concerned citizens. The Domestic Violence Resource Center of Alexander County, Inc. was incorporated on May 23, 2000. Received the 501(c)(3) non-profit status on August 1st 2001. A Federal Employer Identification number and a State Identification number has been issued. During the months of January – October 2000, the Project Director provided community presentations and education as well as direct victim services. In October of 2000 a Victim Advocate/Educator was hired to help provide direct victim services and community education.
In collaboration with the local sexual assault program, a domestic violence- sexual assault prevention task force was implemented in February 2001. The task force consists of members form local victim services programs, probation and parole, district attorney’s office and the local hospital and law enforcement.
On August 1st 2001 Michelle Cole resigned as project coordinator and Ingrid Townsend began in her position. We have since hired a part-time community educator and have recruited new board members and volunteers.
The Domestic Violence Resource Center has become an active member of the community. We became a member of the United Way of Alexander County in June of 2002. Gail Drum is the Executive Director of the United Way and has become a great supporter of this agency.
The agency by-laws were reviewed, revised, unanimously accepted in April 2002. The employee handbook has also been reviewed and revised. June Kimmel with the Council for Women met with the board on May 2nd of last year for a brief training.
The Board of Directors work hard to insure that this agency functions in accordance with grant guidelines and in the best interest of its staff and clients as well as our community. We have addressed the past problems of no shelter and providing direct victim services in the following ways; collaboration with the local sheriffs department’s communications center and a 24-hour crisis line to ensure that victims receive immediate assistance.
Thanks to a grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission we were able to open a shelter for battered women and children in July 2003.
The shelter is small but we can house two families or up to 14 women and children. We will continue to refer clients to other shelters when the need arises. We also help with relocation plans. We currently have 4 full time and 3 part time employees.