Board members of the Heritage Community Foundation last month introduced Vanessa Wilkins, executive director of the Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence (also known as Promise Place) to David and Linda Clark, owners of C&C Fence Company in McDonough.
C&C Fence Company, a Heritage Community Foundation Partner, has agreed to provide Promise Place with a sliding gate, call box, and gate security system for its shelter.
According to Ms. Wilkins, the most dangerous time for victims of domestic violence is when they are leaving or have attempted to leave an abusive situation. Their present wooden gate is not stable and can be easily opened from the outside. Currently, a staff member must physically open and close the gate each time a client leaves or enters as well as during shift changes. The secure gate will provide a new level of emotional and physical safety for the women and children residing in the shelter.
The mission of Promise Place is to prevent domestic violence through awareness programs and educational training and provide safe environments for victims and their families by utilizing legal advocacy, emergency shelter, and transitional housing. Promise Place provides safety and relief for women and children escaping abuse who would otherwise be homeless, seriously injured, or killed. The average stay for women and children at Promise Place is 45 days.
Promise Place, originally called The Fayette County Council on Battered Women, was incorporated in 1987. Over the years, the organization grew and the name was changed to Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence. More services were added including legal advocacy and support groups. Today, Promise Place has an office in each of the 4 counties in the judicial circuit. It also provides services to over 3,000 individuals per year through emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, crisis counseling, a teen dating violence prevention program in all area high schools, and community education.
For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org. You may also contact executive director Rocky Davis at 770-478-8881.
On the front row, from left: Sheri Dockweiler, HCF; David and Linda Clark, owners C&C Fence Company; Vanessa Wilkins, Executive Director of Fayette Council on Domestic Violence; Stacy Hammons, HCF; Roxanne Rogers, HCF.
On the back row, from left: Rocky Davis, HCF; Rochelle Hehir, HCF; Pamela Cisneros, HCF.
