It’s our 17th anniversary! Federal designation officially naming our organization a nonprofit entity arrived on February 14, 2005. 

Services had begun a year from the old YWCA property, while earlier while matters of governance and partnerships were addressed. Darlene, our executive director, reflects on the night when the decision was made to move to our current location.

“I stood at the back door of an empty building on 40-acres of rural farmland in central Kentucky.  The grass and trees seemed to glow in the golden light of the setting sun. Feelings of safety and possibility warmed my soul as the sun lowered in the sky. 

Although a move was imminent, I was struggling with the decision to relocate our organization so far from downtown Lexington, Kentucky. How will survivors stay connected with community service organizations in the city? Can we engage supporters of the mission from this country location?

I imagined a small group of survivors sitting on the back porch and sharing their stories as day peacefully transitioned to night. This sunset was giving me answers to questions I had been asking for weeks. Before the light dipped below the horizon, the decision was made. This building would become our new home.” 

Although much has changed in the years since the move to our current beautiful 40-acre property in rural Fayette County, hope and possibility continue to inform our mission.