SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Thanks in part to a grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley, a new domestic violence shelter will now offer victims in central Alabama a vital service: food.

The $39,838 grant will enable Safehouse to purchase kitchen equipment for the facility which began construction in April and will serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Clay, Coosa and Shelby counties. When completed, the facility will provide emergency shelter and transitional housing for up to 60 victims at a time, more than doubling the capacity of the current shelter.

Since 1989, Safehouse has helped victims by providing services such as counseling, legal assistance, childcare, job skills training, medical care and transportation. Safehouse officials anticipate the new shelter will be in operation by February 2007