The shelter continues to serve a growing need in Scurry County and four neighboring counties as a record number of family violence and sexual assault victims were served in 2003.
At the time, 2002’s numbers were record setters.
Last year, a total of 691 victims of family violence and sexual assault took shelter at Gateway in Snyder.
“That is a 15 percent increase over the 602 victims served in 2002 and a 42 percent increase over the 487 served in 2001,” said Lyndia Allen, executive director.
The statistics reflect both residents and non-residents of the shelter from the five county area, as well as victims served from other parts of the state.
“Both 2002 and 2003 were very eventful, very busy years for Gateway,” said Allen. “2002 was the first year we served over 600 clients.”
Allen said the fall months of 2002 also broke 18-year records for the number of residential shelter nights.
“In October, 2002, we provided over 300 shelter nights in a single month for the first time as 305 nights were provided,” said Allen.
Allen said 437 shelter nights were provided in December 2002.
Historically, summer months are slower at the shelter.
“But not in 2003,” said Allen.
“In July and August, we provided 200 and 219 shelter respectively for summer records.”
In 2003, the shelter also had more adult clients than children for the first time.
“Last year, we worked with more single adults and older adults whose children no longer live at home,” said Allen.
Allen said shelter is provided for people of all ages, gender, income, social and educational levels.
“We’ve had clients who had dro pped out of school, as well as those with master’s degrees,” said Allen.
Allen said shelter is provided for men when necessary.
“One of the first client’s in 1984 was a male,” said Allen. “We provided shelter for one adult male client in 2002 and two adult males last year.”
The shelter has four suites available for victims.
“There were times during the last 18 months that we utilized every regular bed, roll-away, baby and youth bed we have,” said Lea Phillips, shelter manager.
Phillips said every effort is made to put each family in a suite by them selves, but that is not always possible.
“Providing shelter, food, clothing and transportation was a challenge during 2002 and in early 2003 as we experienced funding cuts on the state and federal levels,” said Allen.
Allen said one grant has been cut 18 percent over the last two years, and in 2002, the Texas Department of Human Services funding was cut 24 percent with less than 60 days notice.
Allen said the Texas Council on Family Violence in 2002 formed a committee of shelter executive directors to work with the state to form a more equitable funding formula that did not penalize small to medium shelters like Gateway disproportionately.
“Dee Wilson, former director of Gateway Family Services, served on that committee,” said Allen.
Service from the shelter is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
The center’s crisis hotline number is 800-578-8054, or 325-573-1822, while the Sweetwater number is 325-235-1552.
“All services offered by Gateway are free of charge and confidential,” emphasized Allen.
Currently, there are 15 employees on the staff with a couple of vacancies that are looking to be filled. Of that number, there are six full-time and nine part-time in Snyder, and one full-time and one part-time in the Snyder office.