Paragould, Arkansas – Paragould has officially opened its first domestic violence shelter, giving survivors and their children a new place to seek safety and support as they work toward rebuilding their lives.
Paragould police officers joined community leaders Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the shelter’s official opening.
The project took two years to complete and represents a new local resource for people trying to leave abusive or dangerous situations.
The need for services extends to both women and men. One in three women and one in four men are victims of domestic violence.
For Shawna Grooms, a board member with RISE, helping survivors is more than a community cause. Her involvement is connected to her sister and a desire to make sure other people experiencing abuse know they have options.
“And I’m on the board for my sister, 110%. I want her story out for anyone, anyone suffering. Like, don’t stay,” Grooms said.
Shelter offers more than a safe place
The new facility is intended to provide survivors with an immediate way to leave a dangerous home environment while also helping them take steps toward an independent future.
That process can involve several forms of assistance.
Grooms said survivors who come to the shelter will be able to receive counseling and daycare services. The goal is also to help them find employment before eventually moving forward on their own.
“What this says is get a mom or child out. This gets them out from the house into this place into a safe place. Then they get counseling, daycare. They’re going to get a job. Then they’re going to go out on their own. And they’re going to get away from the person that’s hurting them,” Grooms said.
The opening means Paragould now has a shelter specifically designed to provide that type of support locally.
Beyond offering physical safety, the facility is meant to give survivors the resources they may need as they move away from abusive situations and begin establishing a life outside of them.
Grooms said one of the messages she wants people experiencing domestic violence to understand is that they are not alone. She also wants survivors to know they do not have to remain in a dangerous situation.
After two years of work, Thursday’s ribbon cutting brought police and community leaders together to officially mark the beginning of the shelter’s services.
People experiencing domestic violence can reach out to RISE through its Facebook page for assistance.
They can also contact the Paragould Police Department at (870) 236-7621.
Anyone facing an immediate threat or emergency should call 911.
