Paragould, Ark. – Local officials and community advocates marked a significant milestone Thursday with the opening of the city’s first domestic violence shelter. The project, two years in the making, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Paragould police officers and leaders from the nonprofit organization RISE.
The need for the shelter is underscored by stark statistics: one in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence during their lifetime. For Shawna Grooms, a RISE board member, the mission to provide a safe haven is deeply personal.
“And I’m on the board for my sister, 110%. I want her story out for anyone, anyone suffering. Like, don’t stay,” Grooms said. While she did not elaborate on her sister’s story, her resolve to support others in crisis was clear.
The shelter will offer more than just a safe space. Grooms outlined the comprehensive support survivors can expect to receive: “What this says is get a mom or child out. This gets them out from the house into this place, into a safe place. Then they get counseling, daycare. They’re going to get a job. Then they’re going to go out on their own. And they’re going to get away from the person that’s hurting them.”
Grooms emphasized the importance of survivors knowing they are not alone and that help is available.
Individuals experiencing domestic violence can reach out to RISE through its Facebook page or by contacting the Paragould Police Department at (870) 236-7621. In emergency situations, calling 911 remains essential.
For many in Paragould and beyond, the shelter represents a critical resource to break the cycle of abuse and offer survivors a new beginning.