Those experiencing violence at home have a safe haven located in Suffolk at the Genieve Shelter.

The shelter was founded 30 years ago by Theresa Connell, and for the last three decades the shelter has grown and now serves Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, Franklin, Southampton and Surry.

Connell founded the shelter originally as a hotline for victims of domestic violence, and the hotline went directly to her home phone. Unfortunately, she understood first-hand what victims went through. Prior to Connell founding the hotline, Connell’s mother was with an abusive man, and the cycle continued in her own marriage.

“She was a one-woman show, and she had to overcome a fear of public speaking to answer the hotline,” said Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Gray.

The shelter has grown to cover more of the Western Tidewater area, and it has grown to offer more services for the communities they serve. It offers individual and group counseling, financial programs, housing assistance, job assistance and legal aid.

“This started for domestic violence victims, but now we help those affected by sexual assault and stalking,” Gray said.

The shelter helps those of all ages and any gender, and they offer a multitude of services ranging from emergency housing to counseling.

Gray believes that the success of the shelter happened because of the compassion and the community of other shelters in the Hampton Roads area. The H.E.R. Shelter, YWCA and the Samaritan House have been an integral part of helping the shelter grow and better serve those in Hampton Roads and beyond.

“I think the help of other communities and agencies made us better. We launched a coordinated crisis response with H.E.R., YWCA and the Samaritan House,” Gray said.

They even communicate with other shelters to ensure those in imminent danger can get help if their own shelters are full.

While the growth has been welcomed and helpful to the area, the Genieve Shelter has hit its sweet spot in terms of growth. The shelter won’t be expanding the communities it covers, because other shelters are already in place in bordering communities.

The Genieve Shelter plans to expand the number of shelters in its service area, but it plans on working to pay off debt first before purchasing more shelters.

Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the shelter has a small fundraiser running from Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019.

The shelter is hosting A Dollar A Day fundraiser, and they hope everyone in the community can donate $1 for one year. The funds allow the shelter to provide a safe refuge for those that are in need.

Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 1585, Suffolk, VA 23439 and all checks can be made payable to The Genieve Shelter, re: A Dollar A Day.

For more information, call 925-4365 or visit the website at thegenieveshelter.org.