Eco-Friendly Design

Two important sources of support enabled Women’s Aid to develop a new and innovative domestic violence program. First, the city of Asheboro provided $40,000 in community Development Block Grant funds to acquire and renovate a large house to be used as a refuge for battered women and their children. This Shelter facility was deeded to Women’s Aid rent-free on the condition that it remain in use for victims of family violence.
Secondly, CETA Title II special Project monies were awarded in May 1979 to fund shelter expense and staffing, as well as comprehensive employment and training services for victims. From that time through September 1981, CETA funding provided the following services: temporary emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis intervention, individual and group counseling and therapy, educational and job training, transportation, child care, information and referral, and community education.

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Randolph County Women’s Aid, like many other shelter programs, has long recognized the destructive effects of violence on children. In the beginning, skeletal services, coordinated by Audrey Kennedy, Resident Supervisor (1980-1981), included structured groups and special activities for children. Services for mothers, including parenting education, were provided on an as-needed basis in peer counseling and support groups.

The name of the agency changed in 1986 to Randolph County Family Crisis Center. That year, the agency began Court Advocacy and Rape Crisis Programs. In 1988, the Phoenix Program and the Family Thrift Store were implemented. The former was begun to provide services to abusers to stop the cycle of violence in the family and the latter was started to help support the expenses of the agency. In 1990 the center purchased a house at the corner of Main and Academy streets for offices. The agency expanded into the Archdale/Trinity area in 2000, to provide advocacy services to that area of Randolph County as well.

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