KELSEYVILLE – Now that it's the proud owner of a facility to house its administration offices and new domestic violence shelter, Lake Family Resource Center is getting settled into its new location.
The shelter and administration facility, which will include community classrooms and meeting rooms, is located at 5350 Main St. in Kelseyville.
“It's exciting to be actually on site,” said Executive Director Gloria Flaherty.
Following three years of fundraising and planning, escrow on the $1.1 million property closed in July, as Lake County News has reported.
Work is under way around the former motel property, which has several small cottage-type buildings that will temporarily house families seeking refuge from violent home environments. In all the facility will have 35 beds.
Flaherty said the domestic violence shelter isn't expected to be in place and ready for service until November.
Right now, however, the agency's administrative offices have relocated in the roughly 1,500-square-foot main building.
Next door is the Kelseyville Unified School District and Kelseyville High School, and the back of the administrative offices opens up into a large grassy area where birds can be heard loudly singing in the middle of town.
Flaherty said they're seeking assistance from service clubs to help landscape the grounds.
Contractors are busy at work around the grounds, preparing the shelter portion. Flaherty said Dave Meek is acting as general contractor on the project.
When it's done, the facility will have walk-in services and counseling for domestic violence victims on site in a separate building, said Flaherty. Another of the buildings will include community classrooms and storage.
While the facility is a nonconfidential shelter, with the idea being that the community will help monitor it, it will still be secured with cameras and a fenced parking area.
The shelter also will have a courtyard, a community area including laundry and kitchen facilities, and a children's playground at the back of the property, said Flaherty.
She said they're also seeking a grant to support placing pet kennels on the property. Flaherty explained that many people trying to escape a violent domestic environment are afraid to leave if they can't take their pets, because the animals also are in danger.
She added that the town of Kelseyville has been fantastic and supportive.
Just down the street, Lake Family Resource Center has rented a building to house its teen parenting, Healthy Families programs, and sexual assault and other programs.
Services also continue to be offered from it location on Lakeport Boulevard.
“We're pretty excited about it all,” said Flaherty.
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