The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Officials cut ribbon for opening of Holiday Inn
Forbes House, Lake County’s only domestic violence shelter, is expanding.
The shelter is currently working on a new facility that will make it seem a lot more like a home and make the clients feel better, said Forbes House Board president John Dolce.
“We want to let Lake County residents know that Forbes House is running as best as it ever has been. We are not going anywhere,” Dolce said. “There are a lot of rumors out there that we are closing down. We just want to let the people know that we are taking care of Lake County clients and more from other areas.
“We are in the process of renovating another location to house even more clients.”
The new location, an existing structure currently undergoing some demolition and framing work, will have a fitness center, a computer room for job search, a meditation room, a children’s play area and a television room inside and a play ground and therapeutic gardens outside.
According to Dolce, the shelter has utilized the current location for over 35 years to the best of its ability but it is getting very outdated and isn’t adequate to meet all the shelter’s needs.
While the move to the new location which, due to safety reasons won’t be disclosed, is anticipated to happen sometime in the fall, Forbes House will continue to utilize the current location for overflow or possibly an extended living facility until it becomes more of a liability in regards to expenses and upkeep.
“We have been holding this building together the best we can with bandaids,” Dolce said of the current location. “In all honesty, the new one just gives us a new start on everything. It’s just a better location.”
The staff and board for the Forbes House also may look into the possibility of re-branding with a name that lets people know that it is a domestic violence shelter and a safe place to go.
According to interim director Mallory Babika, the shelter has provided more than 1,700 bed nights for clients since Jan. 1 and has doubled the amount of clients served compared to this point last year.
“It’s an unfortunate statistics but I look at it in a good way because that is more people that we are helping,” Babika said. “We are keeping them safe and we are saving lives. It just shows that the need for expansion.” Babika points out that the shelter wants to be the voice on the other end of someone calling out for help. When someone calls the hotline number, within three rings, there will be a live person answering to help guide a potential client through the process.
She notes there is no phone menu or leaving a message.
The shelter which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, plans to start major fundraising efforts soon.
“Our Lake County people are so giving during Christmas or anytime. We get more support from the community, and we might need their help in the near future in regards to this,” Dolce said. “We have the money to do it through some grants and other things, but it would be nice to have a little bit of a cushion to make sure we are doing the right thing for the building itself.”
“We are not going anywhere. We are stronger than we ever been with our staff, and with what we are doing,” Dolce said. “We hired some great individuals and, again unfortunately with the situation out there with domestic violence, we have to do what we have to do. We are going to continue to service our clients. We want the people to know that we are still here and we are not going anywhere. If you need our services we have flyers at the court systems and support groups.”
For those seeking help or services from Forbes House, call the 24/7 hotline at 440-357-1018. For those looking for ways to help through volunteering or donations, visit www. forbeshouse.org.