Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center

The MHDCC aims to provide safe and easily accessible emergency shelter and other crisis intervention services to survivors of domestic violence. We aim to provide comprehensive advocacy and support to survivors as they work to rebuild and recover. We aim to be a low-barrier program that provides meaningful access to all survivors regardless of their race, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, religion, or familial status.

We aim to actively and intentionally engage our clients in evidenced-based, trauma-informed programming to assist them in securing optimal mental health and wellness, spiritual wholeness, stable housing and financial security. We aim to challenge our communities to elevate violence-free living as a priority, to work together to see and hear survivors better, and to prevent interpersonal violence at every level of our societal structure.

The MHDCC strives to be financially strong and diversified through grants, private foundation support, private donors and fiscal responsibility;
The MHDCC recruits excellence at all levels of its leadership from the Board of Directors to the staff it employs.
The MHDCC invests into its staff to ensure they are adequately trained and equipped to assist trauma survivors of all ages on their journey to healing;
The MHDCC commits to strong outcomes measurements via on-going quality assurance programs and project evaluations;
The MHDCC recruits community members to serve in all aspects of operations so that the broader collective develops ownership in building the community they desire, responsibility for its most vulnerable members, and pride in offering high-quality intervention services to all in need.

The MHDCC has a rich history within the Purchase Region of West Kentucky. Incorporated in 1978, the MHDCC has been supported by the community for 40+ years. The grass roots foundation on which we stand, provides a solid ground on which to grow, while also remaining narrowly focused on the issue of domestic violence. The community support is a cornerstone in our ability to reach the goals outlined.
In addition, the MHDCC has seen exponential growth in its revenue streams, and in 2019 the organization received the highest funding award of any non-profit victim service provider in the state of Kentucky. The Governor of the state publicly recognized the organization's work. The MHDCC relocated to a 26-acre campus where it now has the space to continue to grow and innovate in its efforts to both prevent and respond to the issue of domestic violence. The MHDCC' s leadership are known trailblazers, and many have advanced degrees, more extensive experience in the field, and access to some of the world leaders in trauma and recovery.

The MHDCC has remained operational for 40+ years in an ever-changing environment for non-profit victim services;
The MHDCC launched its first capital campaign in late 2015 of $3.7 million dollars. The organization surpassed that goal in 2019. As a result, the MHDCC relocated to a 26-acre campus that it shares with a community partner, and expanded its bed-size for the emergency shelter by 50%. Likewise, the MHDCC is now better positioned to offer integrated care to its clients, including substance-abuse treatment in a trauma-informed way as needed. The future plans for the organization include:
1. Growth of new programs including hiring clients to do specific jobs so that they can better end the cycle of violence in their lives;
2. Stronger outreach to the 8-counties the MHDCC serves;
3. Access to additional transitional housing units;
4. More co-located community partners;
5. Recognized internship program for all levels of post-secondary education;
6. Host of the state's only Resiliency Center in collaboration with Dr. David Becker- leading trauma specialist.