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ABOUT HOPE
HARBOUR
The Columbus Alliance for Battered Women, Inc. was organized as a nonprofit corporation in January 1979. The Alliance grew out of a group of concerned citizens, organizations and community leaders who recognized that spouse abuse was a serious community problem. Two of the most critical needs were temporary shelter for women and children who had no refuge or escape from the explosive environment of a violent home and for appropriate and accessible counseling to deal with the trauma.
The Alliance sought to develop and build upon a network of helping professionals and community groups so as to improve the delivery of services to victims and offenders and to decrease the chances of recurring domestic violence. Over the preceding summer of 1978, a law student working through the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council was place in the Columbus Regional Office of the Georgia Legal Services Program.
This law student, Leah Sear-Collins, undertook a project to access the problem of spouse abuse in the Columbus area and to help mobilize local resources to increase awareness and address the problem. Through her efforts and those of others in the community, the Columbus Alliance for Battered women began to organize as to continue her work.
In 1981, The Alliance began providing temporary shelter for women and children. Shelter was provided through Open Door Community Center, Valley Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, and in four private homes. Finally, pledges from local churches enabled the Alliance to rent its own facility. In May 1983, the local United Way began helping with shelter operations, and a full-time director was hired.
The name Hope Harbour was added in 2005. The current shelter has 43 beds with 11 bedrooms and 8 baths and has been in the current, undisclosed location for over 20 years. In the past three years, over 1,000 women and children found safety and support at Hope Harbour and thousands of victims received assistance and referrals as outreach clients or through crisis line calls.
In October 2020, Hope Harbour received funding from the state of Alabama (ADECA Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) to begin officially serving victims of domestic violence in Russell County. Hope Harbour is now one of the only certified domestic violence shelters that serves two states.
diversity & inclusion
Hope Harbour incorporates diversity and inclusion principals into our shelter and support services. This not only ensures that everyone in need receives appropriate support, but also promotes a sense of dignity, belonging, and safety for vulnerable populations. It is essential to continually assess and improve these services to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for those seeking shelter and support from domestic violence.
OUR mission
Hope Harbour provides emergency shelter, safety, crisis intervention, and advocacy for adults and children who are victims and survivors of domestic violence.
OUR VISION
Hope Harbour will be the lifeline for victims and survivors of family violence by developing, organizing, and coordinating the community resources and services needed to bring about an informed public in the region.
OUR VALUES
In everything we do, we will...
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Show respect & value for all
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Provide a safe haven and services for victims and children of domestic violence
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Be committed to breaking the cycle of violence
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Be a place of healing
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Empower
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Ensure confidentiality
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Instill a sense of dignity
board of
directors
PRESIDENT - Alexa Johnson Anderson
VICE PRESIDENT - Gail Burgos
TREASURER - Kimberly Hickman
SECRETARY - Bonnie Kennedy
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY - Nicole Baxby
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Lindsey Reis
Board
members
Jason Ball Rem Brady
Amy Bryan Joanne Cogle
Tanisha Colbert Dr. Jake Golden, IV
Katie Harrison Lynley Hipps
Stacy Howe Lisa Scrivner
Mollie Smith Lena Weaver
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