CHOICES Announces Our Community s Campaign to Build New Shelter for Domestic Violence Victims

500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Ste. 245 Worthington, OH 43085 www.choicescolumbus.org Phone (614) 224-6617 Fax (614) 221-0936 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2016 CONTACT Jennifer Hamilton Director of Communications Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio 614-429-5486 jhamilton@lssco.org CHOICES Announces Our Community s Campaign to Build New Shelter for Domestic Violence Victims Columbus, OH CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, the only domestic violence shelter and 24-hour hotline in Franklin County, announced today the start of a community-wide campaign to raise funds for a new shelter and programming to support local victims of domestic violence. The new shelter will replace the current facility, which is often overcrowded. CHOICES is expected to serve nearly 2,000 individuals this year, 750 of whom will need shelter. That s a 33 percent increase since 2015. Leaving an abusive partner is the most dangerous time for a victim, and it is critical that they have a safe place to go and begin to heal from emotional and physical wounds, said Sue Villilo, executive director of CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence. We need a new shelter with the capacity and resources to help end the cycle of violence and provide essential services to victims in our community. At one point, more than 100 victims and children were housed in the current shelter at one time; double what the facility is configured to hold. The new 55,000-square-foot facility will increase the number of beds from 51 to 120, growing capacity by 135 percent, said Villilo. The location of the new shelter is not provided to ensure the safety of clients. One in every three women and one in four men will experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In Franklin County alone, police departments responded to more than 9,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2014. Representatives from the public and private funding communities all came together at The Columbus Foundation this morning to announce support of Our Community s Campaign. Early campaign champions include lead contributor Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Huntington Bank, Wolfe Associates, the State of Ohio and The Columbus Foundation. CHOICES For Victims of Domestic Violence is a Member of the LSS Family

CHOICES Our Community s Campaign Page 2 The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation is proud of its investments to advance community health and quality of life issues in central Ohio, said Terri Donlin Huesman, Vice President of Programs Osteopathic Heritage Foundation. There is a critical need for a new shelter and we are pleased to be among the first to support the campaign. Other central Ohio organizations are encouraged to join us as we, as a community, stand up against domestic violence. CHOICES has a fundraising goal of $15.3 million, which includes costs for acquiring land, building the shelter, three years of incremental operating and new programming and an endowment for CHOICES that will support the shelter s greatest immediate and emerging needs. The timeline for construction will depend on the funds raised. A tentative groundbreaking date is set for late first quarter 2017. The new shelter design is inspired by Building Dignity, a national shelter concept that helps rebuild survivors dignity, fosters a sense of healing and allows staff to focus on victim-centered advocacy. The design includes neighborhood concepts comprised of bedrooms, bathrooms and a sitting room; as well as several meeting rooms for programming; a secure entrance; and state-of-the-art security. The shelter will also feature a secure outdoor playground and garden for shelter residents. Kennels and exercise areas for family pets will also be included. Among the unique staffing plans for the shelter are an on-site crisis counselor, who will immediately address emotional and psychological needs of victims coming from crisis situations, as well as a kitchen advocate to work one-on-one with survivors to redevelop healthy relationships with food. Because almost half of shelter residents are children, a family activities coordinator will support parents on parenting techniques and a child s transition to the shelter. For more information on the new shelter and Our Community s Campaign, please visit www.choicescolumbus.org/blog/newshelter. ###

CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence: A program of Lutheran Social Services

Agenda 11:15 a.m. Welcome 11:20 a.m. Opening Remarks 11:25 a.m. The Need is Great 11:30 a.m. Community Collaboration 11:35 a.m. Lead Donor Champion 11:40 a.m. Corporate Champion 11:45 a.m. -Family Champion 11:50 a.m. Philanthropic Champion 11:55 a.m. In Her Own Words 12:00 p.m. Thank You The Rev. Larry A. Crowell, President and CEO Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Ohio Representative Stephanie Kunze Chief Kim Jacobs Columbus Division of Police Ron Seiffert, Chair, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio Board Terri Flora, Chair, CHOICES Advisory Board Terri Donlin Huesman, Vice President of Programs Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Jim Kunk, President Huntington Central Region Katie Wolfe Lloyd, Vice President Wolfe Associates Lisa Courtice, Executive Vice President The Columbus Foundation Maria, former CHOICES client The Rev. Larry A. Crowell, President and CEO Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio

Important Facts about Domestic Violence For nearly four decades, CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence (CHOICES) has been providing a safe, secure shelter for victims of domestic violence in central Ohio. Services are provided for victims and families, both on-site and with community partners, including a 24- hour crisis and information hotline, individual counseling, advocacy work and community-based support groups. As the only domestic violence-focused shelter in Franklin County, CHOICES will serve nearly 2,000 different individuals this year, including more than 750 who seek refuge at the shelter. Meeting the need, while ensuring the safety of victims in a respectful, secure manner, requires an innovative approach to domestic violence sheltering. Together, we can help build and strengthen our local community and play a vital role in changing the lives of domestic violence victims. If you are experiencing domestic violence, or fear someone you love may be, please call the 24- hour CHOICES hotline at 614-224-HOME (4663).

Did You Know Franklin County police responded to 9,287 incidents of domestic violence in 2014. 15.5 million U.S. children are exposed to domestic violence each year. (90% are eyewitnesses to violence.) Every9 seconds a woman is abused. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. 3 women are killed each day by their husband or boyfriend. Our Community s Campaign Thank you to the central Ohio community leaders who have already stepped up to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims. From public and corporate donations to family and philanthropic champions, the need is great and Columbus is answering. Please join the cause. For more information, please visit www.choicescolumbus.org/blog/newshelter. $15.3 Million Campaign Goal 02 03 04 05 1. Construction Costs: 01 CHOICES Champions f facebook.com/lsschoices

EAST ELEVATION - MAIN ENTRY COLUMBUS, OH BERARDI + PARTNERS, INC. ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THE ARRANGEMENTS DEPICTED HEREIN ARE THE SOLE PROPERTY OF BERARDI THE ARRANGEMENTS + PARTNERS, DEPICTED INC., HEREIN ARCHITECTS ARE THE SOLE AND PROPERTY ENGINEERS, OF AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT ITS WRITTEN PERMISSION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT DATE: 08/18/15 PROJECT #: 15135 SHEET DATE: 05/05/16 PERSPECTIVE RENDERINGS R1.1 @ 2014 BY: