YWCA Yakima nears fundraising goal for second domestic violence shelter

YAKIMA, Wash. — YWCA Yakima, which serves over 14,000 people annually, is closing in on its fundraising goal to open a second shelter to aid those leaving domestic violence situations.

YWCA Yakima Executive Director Cheri Kilty said the organization’s current shelter can accommodate only a fraction of the families in need, leading to over 1,000 being turned away last year.

The new shelter will be housed in a historic building, originally constructed in the 1930s, which has served various purposes over the decades, including as St. Elizabeth's Nursing School.

The YWCA plans to preserve much of the building’s original character, including terrazzo flooring, cornice work and wooden doors.

"We just want to keep as many elements of the original building that we can," Kilty said.

The shelter will offer 112 additional beds and 45 rooms, including an area specifically for men and their children. Kilty said it's a unique feature among domestic violence shelters.

"We're having more and more men come seeking our assistance, and not all of them have a safe place to go, so we want to make sure we have some temporary place for them to stay," Kilty said.

In addition to temporary housing, the new facility will include play areas for children, a sophisticated security system and space to expand programs and activities for families.

The building was donated by Hogback Development, but the renovations are expected to cost over $17 million.

The YWCA has received substantial support from the state of Washington, the City of Yakima, Yakima County and Heritage Bank, leaving them with just $1 million left to raise.

Renovations are slated to begin in January, with a projected completion in 14 months. The goal is to open the shelter in the spring of 2026.

For more information or to contribute to the fundraising campaign, visit ywcayakima.org.

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.