The Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter in Meridian has helped victims of domestic abuse throughout its 9-county area for over 38 years with emergency housing, navigating complicated court documents and counseling. However, some residents don’t know the organization exists.
With October being domestic violence awareness month, Abby Miller, executive director of Care Lodge, spoke to the Newton County Board of Supervisors Sept. 19 to explain more about what her organization does and the help it provides to some of Newton County’s most vulnerable residents.
“Emergency shelter is one of our main services, and that’s what most people know us by, but we also provide services outside our shelter,” she said. “That’s case management, counseling. All of our services are free of charge.”
Care Lodge operates a 24-hour hotline for residents to call when they need help. Miller said that hotline is how her organization from county officials and residents who call that hotline.
Domestic violence, unfortunately, is not a rare occurrence. One in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, Miller said. In 2018, Care Lodge served over 1,000 people across the 9-county area.
“It’s really something where if you haven’t experienced it yourself in one way or another, you know someone who has,” she said. “It’s really, it’s almost like an epidemic in our nation and our world.”
For victims, Miller said Care Lodge can help break the cycle by offering an emergency shelter, helping victims find housing and assists with utility bills, provides court advocacy and assists victims in navigating complicated paperwork required by the judicial system.
“It’s very overwhelming for somebody who’s been experiencing violence, and we can walk them through that,” she said.
Miller asked the board to pass a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, bringing awareness to the crime and its victims in Newton County and Mississippi and spreading the word about Care Lodge’s services.
Additionally, Miller said, Care Lodge will be holding Light the Night Fun Run and Lighting Ceremony, a community fun run, Oct. 12, to raise awareness for domestic violence and Care Lodge. The event will start at 7 p.m. with the run beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Okatibbee Lake.
“We’ll have glow sticks and just light the night and shine the light on domestic violence,” she said.
Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the event. For more information or to register, visit the event’s Facebook page or find the event on raceentry.com.
