The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter (The ARK) is inviting the public to drop by their new offices at 2900 Coggin Avenue, Suite A, Brownwood, on October 1st from noon until 4 pm.  The open house event kicks off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and purple lapel ribbons will be given out at the event. The open house gives the public an opportunity to learn about the many services that The ARK provides for the tri-county area of Comanche, Coleman and Brown Counties.  Staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Last year, The ARK identified two areas of concern.  The first was the safety of shelter residents and staff. Security at the shelter was an ongoing concern, especially in light of the many donations that are dropped off at the ARK. The second issue has been the space.  Due to higher occupancy, there have been numerous times that the shelter was full, or almost full.  It clearly needed some more beds and bedrooms.

When Executive Director Terri Densman completed the grant requests this spring, she related the ARK’s concerns and asked for additional allocations to move the administration offices out of the shelter.  Densman said, “This effectively freed up space for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, and  gives The ARK another place to accept donations.”  The grantors agreed and office space at 2900 Coggin Avenue was found and renovated to fit the needs of The ARK’s Administration Staff.

Donations are now accepted Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) from 8 am until 5 pm at the new location.  ARK Domestic Violence Shelter volunteers Elaine Young and Gayle Munn are heading up the task of organizing the donations for current needs or storage.

For more information about The ARK, or to volunteer, please call The ARK at 325-643-2699 and ask for Mary Silver.  You can also go online to www.arkshelter.org.