Plans for Safehope, a support network and emergency shelter for domestic violence victims located in Newton, to expand are able to move forward after a decision by the Newton City Commission Jan. 22.
The city commission voted to approve a resolution to allow a special use permit for Safehope Shelter. The expanded shelter will provide a total of 30 beds and accommodate larger families while a new outreach and advocacy center will mean an additional 2,400 square feet for staff and services.
“We knew that the shelter that we have right now, we were going to have to make some decisions on that. It’s a nice, small, clean house, but it’s not large enough and it’s not fitting the needs that we have right now,” said Safehope Executive Director Jan Jones. “Right now, our current shelter provides for 10 people. That’s it. When you divide that, we only have four bedrooms. It’ll go from a 10-pillow shelter to a 30-pillow shelter when we move into the new building here.”
When the facility runs out of room, those in need of a place to sleep are using air mattresses and finding an open spot on the floor.Safehope works with an average of 120 families at a time and as part of its police response advocacy — providing resources to victims of domestic violence or sexual assault — it responds to about seven calls per week.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)