The Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc. is a private non-profit organization that opened its doors in 1979 as one of the first three domestic violence shelters in the State of Ohio. The Shelter was started by a group of citizens who determined that a domestic violence shelter was needed. The program began in a structure above a car dealer downtown with two rented rooms. We had a volunteer staff. A few years later, a very generous community member donated a three-story house. After several renovations, the house became a four-bedroom shelter with administrative offices on the third floor. In 1998 The Shelter, with a grant from a local foundation, purchased its current facility, which can house up to ten families. Clients moved into the new facility in January 2000.