Domestic abuse thrives in secrecy, hidden behind closed doors.

It takes immense courage for survivors to step out of the shadows and seek help. When they do, our door is always open, offering a threshold into a safe haven where they can begin their journey toward empowerment, stability and self-sufficiency.

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164,266

Domestic abuse survivors have found hope within our doors since 1977

A Legacy of Support

In 1977, the Domestic Violence Resource Center opened its doors as Nevada’s first domestic violence shelter, then known as the Committee to Aid Abused Women. What started in a humble one-bedroom apartment as a refuge for those fleeing life-threatening violence is now our community’s largest and most trusted provider of services to survivors.

In fiscal year 2024 we:

  • Welcomed 4,266 survivors
  • Provided 988 hours of trauma counseling
  • Held 433 financial coaching meetings
  • Hosted 231 support group sessions
  • Provided 17,016 safe bed nights
  • Assisted with 450 protection orders
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Our Vision
Building a Home for New Beginnings

To make our vision a reality, we’ve launched a campaign to fund construction of what will be the first purpose-built domestic violence shelter in Washoe County.

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Our Plan

40,000 sq ft

Build a new facility to house our resource center & emergency shelter at our current location on Vassar St.

4x

This building will quadruple our shelter capacity from 25 beds to 100.

6,500

Survivors per year will be served with this facility.

Every detail has been designed with survivors’ needs in mind. Not only will this facility completely transform how we serve our clients, we believe that its innovative amenities and approaches to our residents’ security and personal growth will serve as a model for domestic violence services in cities throughout the nation.

Our new facility’s comprehensive support services will provide:

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Secure area for residents to visit with loved ones

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Private bedrooms & bathrooms for single individuals or survivors with children

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Expansive communal kitchen & outdoor dining area

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Dedicated children’s enrichment program with secure indoor & outdoor spaces

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Private meeting rooms for external services such as legal aid & financial assistance

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Indoor pet resting area prior to Noah’s Animal House intake

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Native landscaping & healing gardens

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Job training & remote work areas

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Medical office & counseling center

44%

of women in Nevada will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

33%

of men in Nevada will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

A Growing Crisis
Why We Need This Now

Nevada ranks second in the nation for incidents of domestic violence. As our region’s population grows, so does the need for our services. In the last three years, we have seen a 22% average increase in overall clients served year over year.

There just aren’t enough beds to handle the demand. In fact, we need 75 more to keep pace with our population growth, which is expected to reach 555,000 in the next decade. And since there are no other plans for additional domestic violence shelters in Washoe County, this makes our project absolutely crucial for meeting our community’s needs.

Your Support Opens the Door to Hope

Our Funding Plan

Architecture, Building, and Landscaping

$29,771,718

(includes $1,000,000 contingency)

Furnishing, Fixtures & Equipment

$850,000

Permitting & Fees

$420,000

Total Investment

$31,041,718

As of May 2026, we only need $700,000 to reach our goal!

No one deserves to be abused. Anyone fleeing domestic violence deserves a safe haven where they can get the support they need to start a new life.

By contributing to this campaign, you can help us open doors to a better future for even more survivors in our community. Together, we can create a space where healing, growth, and new beginnings are possible for more survivors and their children.

Hear From Project Leaders

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