In a significant development for the Little Rock community, Women and Children First has inaugurated the Forest of Hope Family Peace Center, Arkansas’s first comprehensive domestic violence resource center. This new facility aims to provide a sanctuary for survivors and their children, offering a safe space away from abusers.
A Long-Awaited Resource
The project, which has been in the works for 11 years, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Angela McGraw, CEO of Women and Children First, expressed excitement about the center’s potential to better serve those in need. The center is more than just a shelter; it consolidates various resources under one roof, including medical and mental health services, a salon, and even kennels for pets.
McGraw highlighted the importance of accommodating pets, noting that the inability to bring animals is a significant barrier for many seeking to leave abusive situations. The facility includes a kennel with eight runs and a dog park, addressing this concern directly.
Enhanced Capacity and Services
The new center is a substantial upgrade from the previous facility, increasing capacity from 54 to 132 beds. This expansion is crucial as the old building, over a century old, was no longer adequate for the needs of the community.
Valerie Williams, chair of Voices of Hope Arkansas, shared her personal connection to the cause, having grown up in a domestic violence environment. She emphasized the trauma such experiences can cause and the importance of having resources readily available to prevent others from enduring similar hardships.
A Sanctuary for Healing
Cathy Browne, Board Chair of Women and Children First, described the center as a sanctuary. She recounted a touching story of an electrician’s wife who placed Bible verses in the walls of every room, underscoring the center’s role as a place of spiritual and physical refuge.
The center’s opening is seen as a step toward reducing domestic violence-related homicides, with McGraw noting that saving even one life would be a significant achievement. The center is set to open in June and is currently accepting donations of gently used clothing to support its operations.
Original reporting: THV11 Little Rock — read the source article.
