If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, call Safe Haven’s 24-hour hotline at 419-289-8085.
ASHLAND — Ashland’s only crisis shelter received a $13,000 allocation from the county board of commissioners ahead of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate the money to Safe Haven, a domestic violence shelter program under Appleseed Community Mental Health Center.
The money — comprised of fees collected in Ashland’s probate court and clerk of courts office — will support all the agency’s services , said Becky Garcia, Safe Haven’s program director.
Garcia said the program served just under 30,000 people through its various services in 2024.
“This year, we’re on target to surpass that,” Garcia said. “So we’re needed in this community. I wish we weren’t, but we are.”
The bulk of that number includes education, outreach and prevention training. The agency reported reaching 22,964 adults, according to its latest impact report.
Safe Haven served 39 adults and 23 youth at the agency’s emergency shelter and answered 648 calls on the 24-hour hotline.
Garcia highlighted a new chat box feature on the program’s website. She said it will cater to a younger audience of people who wish to communicate electronically about issues they face. Safe Haven now also has an interpretation service for people who don’t speak or write English.
“So it’s extremely accessible to anybody who wants to utilize that, for any type of support services,” Garcia said.
She also promoted upcoming events geared around Domestic Violence Awareness month. Safe Haven will host and sponsor the following events in October:
- Silent Witness Project: red wooden silhouettes of women are installed in various public locales. Each silhouette represents an Ashland County woman who lost her life due to domestic violence. They will appear at various locations — including Ashland County Fairgrounds, Bicentennial Park in Ashland, Loudonville Central Park and Ashland University’s quad — throughout October.
- Empty Chair Project: meant to engage people by sharing stories of the women who lost their lives. They will be placed outside of Appleseed Community Mental Center’s main office along Rocky Lane through Nov. 3.
- Candlelight Vigil: victims of domestic violence gather in solidarity to honor victims and share stories. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Corner Park in Ashland on Oct. 7.
- Take a Shot to End DV: Hosted at Hot Shots along Baney Road, the event will focus on self-defense classes and hold a shooting competition on a simulated range. The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 12.
- Speak Out: A private, intimate gathering for “domestic violence survivors and their support people to share their stories, encourage one another, and celebrate our continued strength and resilience.” The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Freer Field Community Building.
- Wear Purple Day: a day to wear purple to raise awareness for domestic violence. Local coffee shops will hand out exclusive coffee sleeves on Oct. 23.
- Applefest: a family-friendly event featuring trunk-or-treat, face painting, a bouncy house, crafts and food trucks. The fourth-annual event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 at 2233 Rocky Lane in Ashland.