SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Calls for help from survivors of domestic violence remain high — all while funding is a constant struggle.
The Genieve Shelter provides emergency shelter, court assistance, and a 24/7 hotline for victims of abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. The shelter serves the Western Tidewater region, including Suffolk and Isle of Wight.
Marleisa Montgomery, executive director of The Genieve Shelter, told 10 On Your Side that “2024-2025 is going to be a really challenging year” following cuts to federal grants.
Following a sharp increase in cases of abuse during the pandemic, the shelter will now expand to serve more people.
“We will be growing from a 36-bed capacity to a 50-bed capacity,” Montgomery said. “We are growing because of the need. We realized that right after the pandemic, we weren’t going to be able to keep victims safe in motels. When we realized that families were suffering in silence, we decided that we needed to have more beds in the rural area. We cover the largest territory [with] one of the smallest programs. In order to make sure that we can accommodate more victims each year, we needed to create another safe home.”
Nora’s Safe House will host an open house in May. The new house has four bedrooms to help victims.
“Nora Butler is a current board member,” Montgomery said. “She is working diligently to help us do everything we can to get the doors open and get it operating.”
Christopher Hearn Sr. is a longtime volunteer who is committed to helping those while in transition.
“We have had this relationship for over 20 years,” Montgomery said. “This started with Chris’s wife, Michelle. She was our children’s advocate.”
Hearn’s wife was promoted to supervisor before she moved to work with the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as a victim witness. Hearn told WAVY.com it’s her passion to help others that led him to nominate the Genieve Shelter for Spectrum Employee Community Grants.
Since 2019, Spectrum has awarded a total of $18,500 through three grants for the shelter.
“It puts a smile on my face,” Hearn said. “It makes my heart feel warm. Then I get to see my wife’s reaction too because that’s her passion. It makes her feel like we are making a difference.”
Hearn has nominated the shelter for another grant which is “currently under review. We hope to know the status in the next week or two” according to the Spectrum spokesperson.
“Through Spectrum Employee Community Grants, we’re proud to provide support to vital community organizations with which our local employees are already volunteering their time and talent,” said Kathleen Kerr, Spectrum area vice president, field operations, in a statement. “Together, we’re building stronger communities where our customers and employees live and work across America.”
“We are almost 100% sure we’re going to be awarded this grant,” Montgomery said, “but we’re just not sure of the dollar amount right now. We will greatly appreciate Spectrum for everything that they are doing for us for the last five years.”
Ahead of the Nora’s Safe House open house, shelter organizers are in need of monetary donations and household items. Contact the shelter at 757-925-4365 or visit 104 Palmyra Drive, Suffolk Va. 23434.