Gateway Domestic Violence Center will celebrate 40 years of helping Hall County residents navigate and escape abusive relationships at their annual Gateway To Hope fundraiser on Friday.
This fundraising banquet will take place at the Chattahoochee Country Club. Tickets are $75 and proceeds will be used to operate Gateway’s domestic violence programs.
Jessica Butler, Gateway’s executive director, says one of the organization’s biggest accomplishments is its consistency and slow, steady growth.
“One of the things that we're most proud of as an organization is that some of the people who helped start this place back in 1982 are still involved with us 40 years later,” Butler said. “We think that's a really big deal that they have given their heart and soul to Gateway for all these years.”
Gateway To Hope banquet attendees can expect a dressy-casual event, with food and a silent auction.
“We provide a little bit of education to our guests about the need for our services and give them an opportunity to support our work,” Butler said.
Gateway currently operates an 18-bed shelter for domestic violence victims. According to Butler, the shelter is consistently full. However, Gateway plans to relocate to a bigger shelter this summer.
“Once we relocate, we will have 35 emergency shelter beds,” Butler said. “So we will basically be doubling our capacity to serve the community.”
The shelter provides victims all basic necessities, from food and clothing vouchers to transportation.
“We want families living in our shelter to have as normal of life as possible during this time,” Butler said.
One of Gateway’s major objectives is to ensure that victims regain their independence.
“We want them taking the steps they need to take to be self-sufficient because they're only with us for a short time,” Butler said. “We really want to help them get the things in place they need to live on their own and safely.”
If a victim is unemployed, Gateway will help them find a permanent job and childcare. The shelter also provides childcare to working parents.
Another key component of Gateway’s services is the 24/7 help hotline. Abuse victims can call 770-536-5860 to speak to staff about safely leaving a dangerous relationship.
“We know from research that the time when a victim starts making steps toward leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous time for that person,” Butler said. “So we really encourage anyone who's in a dangerous relationship, or thinks they might be, to call Gateway.”
Anyone can experience domestic abuse. According to research from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in four women and one in seven men have been the victim of severe physical violence from an intimate partner.
“It's just an honor to be here to respond to emergencies in our community when people need us,” Butler said.
