Shelters protecting families from violence have an uncertain future

Shelters protecting families from violence have an uncertain future with the ongoing government shutdown as they depend on federal funds for their operations.

“We know that the large majority of women in Florida, for example that have been killed as a result of domestic violence,” said Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the Shelly Stayer Shelter. “They never made it to a domestic violence center.”

Centers that could have saved them from abusive relationships from potentially ending up homeless or even becoming victims of domestic homicide.

These centers are partially funded by the federal government. If the government continues in this shutdown, which is now in day 33, shelters said they would feel its impacts.

“To cut a fourth of our programming would be a huge disservice to law enforcement and the community at large,” Oberhaus said.

Of the shelter’s services in Naples, 27 percent is federally funded, which is approximately $823,000 a year.

Right now, the shelter said services are not in jeopardy. However, if they continue to lose funding from the government, it will prioritize. Contingency plans include keeping its emergency crisis hotline and beds. But, cutting outreach and prevention programs.

“The shelter is committed to serving victims in our community,” Oberhaus said. “We’re just going to continue to do so. We’ll find a way to do so.”