The Need Is Growing — And So Is the Gap

When a survivor decides to leave, it’s one of the most dangerous moments in the cycle of domestic violence. But for too many survivors in south-central Kentucky, making the decision to leave doesn’t mean a safe bed will be waiting.

This summer, BRASS, Inc. CEO Tori Henninger sat down with WNKY Television and WKU Public Radio to talk about a difficult reality: the need for safe shelter is outpacing what our community currently has available.

BRASS, Inc.’s emergency shelter serves ten counties with just 30 beds — and operates at capacity roughly 99.9% of the year. Last year, we were able to shelter approximately 350 people. At the same time, nearly 300 crisis callers had to be turned away because there was no available space — a number that approaches 400 when the children and family members they were trying to protect are included.

The gap is made even wider by how long survivors need to stay. Before the pandemic, the average shelter stay was about 20 days. Today, it is more than 60 days, largely because affordable housing is increasingly difficult to find. When survivors cannot find a safe, affordable place to go, they remain in shelter longer — which means fewer beds become available for the next person reaching out for help.

And there is another piece of the story our community needs to understand: less than 5% of BRASS, Inc.’s funding comes from individual community members.

That means our community has an important opportunity to help close the gap.

You can make a difference by:

• Following BRASS, Inc. on social media for calls to action and opportunities to support survivors.

• Contacting your local, state, and federal representatives and asking them to support survivors and resources for domestic violence services.

• Giving to BRASS, Inc. to help keep our shelter — and our 24/7 crisis line — open for the people who need us.

The need is growing. Together, we can help make sure there is somewhere safe to go.

Read and watch Tori’s conversations with WNKY Television and WKU Public Radio to learn more about the growing need for safe shelter in our community.