Alternatives to Violence Expands Safehouse to Address Increased Need for Survivors
Alternatives to Violence (ATV) is expanding its safehouse as part of its ongoing commitment to providing safe and supportive shelter for survivors of abuse. The safehouse, originally featuring 9 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 23 beds, will offer 12 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms after the remodel, increasing its capacity to accommodate a total of 30 individuals in need. The remodel will include a new staff bathroom and enhance office privacy, creating a more secure space for confidential meetings.
The project is being done during financially challenging times. Federal and state funding continue to be cut, but demand for help by survivors continues to increase. In 2023, the safehouse was at 100% capacity all year. Through October of 2024, the safehouse provided 4,358 safe nights of shelter to 134 individuals.
“We handle an average of 200 crisis calls each month, equating to several calls every day. Unfortunately, there have been many instances where we’ve had to turn individuals away due to a lack of available space,” said Executive Director of Alternatives to Violence, Kari Clark. “With the additional rooms, more survivors will have the safe environment they need to heal, regain their independence and move forward.”
Opened in 2016, the safehouse has been an essential service provided by Alternatives to Violence, offering critical support to survivors in our community. It provides 24-hour emergency shelter to individuals fleeing abusive situations, including domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking. Residents may stay up to eight weeks. The shelter offers a safe, healing environment where residents can access other ATV programs and services to support their journey toward self-sufficiency and help maintain a sense of normalcy, especially those with children. Services include transportation to appointments, food, clothing, housing referrals, support groups, and more.
The remodel is being managed by DS Constructors, LLC, a female-owned commercial general contracting firm located in Loveland. The expansion is expected to be completed in early January. The safehouse expansion is being funded through a grant from the City of Loveland’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
“We are extremely grateful for the grant we were able to receive to make this expansion possible,” said Executive Director of Alternatives to Violence, Kari Clark. “This project will allow us to provide safe, supportive shelter to even more survivors in our community, ensuring they have the resources they need to rebuild their lives.”
Those who would like to donate toward the essentials, services and programs residents need while living in the safehouse can do so at alternativestoviolence.org/give-help/donate/.