| 1982 | The Battered Spouse Shelter opens
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence begins work
Gaston County declares “October-Domestic Violence Awareness Month” |
| 1983 | Department of Social Services hires Cathy Barrett (Cloninger) |
| 1984 | US Attorney General creates Task Force on Family Violence |
| 1987 | First national domestic violence hotline operational |
| 1992 | The Shelter begins Candlelight Vigils |
| 1994 |
Congress passes VAWA, Violence Against Women Act
Committee studies the need for a larger shelter
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| 1995 | Gaston County forms the Domestic Violence Prevention Council
A new facility, renamed The Shelter of Gaston County, is dedicated |
| 1997 | DSS hires a Shelter Social Worker
DSS names Cathy Barrett as Shelter Director
The Shelter receives a Community Service Award from Miss North Carolina and from the Miss North Carolina Executive Committee |
| 1998 | Shelter Staff delivers Hershey Kisses to all police officers in Gaston County for our “Kiss a Cop” Project |
| 1999 | The Shelter receives their first North Carolina TANF Grant
The “Make Believe Tea” fund raiser raises needed money for clients
The “Prescription Bag Project” advertises the 24/7 crisis line number |
| 2000 | The Girl Scout Badge Program, “Peace on Earth Begins at Home” launches
The Shelter begins an anti-violence program in Gaston County Middle Schools
The Shelter begins a dating violence curriculum in Gaston County High Schools |
| 2001 | The Shelter initiates a Peer Pals Program
The Shelter holds a Hairdresser’s Luncheon to teach signs of domestic violence
Shelter Staff instruct their first social work intern |
| 2002 | The Shelter of Gaston County holds its 20th Anniversary Luncheon
Celebrate survivors of domestic violence by planting a tree at DSS
The Shelter initiates the Chick-Fil-A Tray Liner Project with a teen dating violence theme
Participation in the Belk Charity Day Fundraiser |
| 2003 | Our last year without at least one client in residence each night
The first Community Foundation’s “Run For the Money – Stormy Weather, Raincoats and Umbrellas” - Raises funds for billboards throughout Gaston County
The “Sweet Treat Project” donates candy bars to all Gaston County police officers
The Shelter hires their first bi-lingual staff
Table Décor & More gives a very festive holiday party for current and past Shelter clients and their children |
| 2004 | “Run For the Money 2 – Dressed for the Wild West”
Raises funds for a warehouse facility to store donations from “Food to Furniture” for clients
“Katie’s Tea Party” gives survivors a delightful afternoon gathering |
| 2005 | S.A.V.E. Clubs sponsor a domestic violence poster contest for students
The Shelter plants a tree at DSS in memory of those whose lives were lost because of domestic violence
“Run For the Money 3 – Dressed in tuxedoes for Hollywood” - Raises funds for counseling and play therapy for Shelter children
First “Fine Art Desk Calendar” Project raises funds for client needs |
| 2006 | “Run For the Money 4 – Dressed as sailors on the high seas” - Raises money to provide more resources for Shelter children
Record number of resident clients in a single year – 401 |
| 2007 | Mary Jo’s Cloth Store holds a Quilt Raffle with proceeds to The Shelter
“Run For the Money 5 – A Shelter Party” - Raises money to hire a much needed court advocate
The Shelter of Gaston County’s 25th Anniversary – Celebrating these years of service to the citizens of Gaston County
Shelter Director, Cathy Cloninger, receives a Gaston County Employee of 2007 Award |
| 2008 | “The Clothesline Project” raises awareness of domestic violence in the community
The Shelter initiates “Domestic Violence Marches” – held each time a Gaston County citizen is killed by a domestic violence perpetrator
Fund drive is begun to increase square footage of The Shelter facility
Shelter Director, Cathy Cloninger, receives Gaston County Woman of the Year Award from The Gaston County Women’s Commission
“Run For the Money 6” - Dressed as clowns singing, “Don’t Clown Around With Domestic Violence” raises funds for The Shelter’s Capital Campaign
The Shelter sells cookbooks, “A Taste of Kindness” |
| 2009 | The cookbooks are very successful and a second printing is ordered
“Run For the Money 7” – Dressed in pastel tee shirts with The Shelter logo, “Making a Difference 24/7, 365 days, for 27 years”
First ever Avon Foundation and PGA Wives Association “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” to raise money to assist our clients – Held at Quail Hollow Club
The Shelter Social Worker, Carol Stradley, BA, BSW retires with over 13 years of service to battered women and their children
Record number of resident clients in a single year – 409
Shelter “Domestic Violence Marches” continue |
| 2010 | “Run For the Money 8” – Dressed in matching Shelter logo tee shirts, our booth displayed tee shirts created by survivors and advocates
Second annual Avon Foundation and PGA Wives Association “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” at Quail Hollow Club
Shelter hires new social Worker, Jennifer Cannon, MSW
The Shelter raises $500,000 for the Shelter Expansion
The Shelter accepts an anonymous $70,000 donation for the expansion
Ron & Katherine Harper commit $180,000 at groundbreaking
First Presbyterian Church, Legacy of Love commits $75,000 at ground breaking
Combined with last year, $70,000 is raised by the Avon Foundation for Women’s “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence
The Shelter received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation to partially fund a part-time Shelter Assistant Transporter for seven months
Shelter “Domestic Violence Marches” continue |
| 2011 | A support group, “It’s My Journey”, for victims of intimate partner abuse began. The meetings are free of charge and are held at confidential locations
Third annual “Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence” at Quail Hollow Club sponsored by The Avon Foundation for Women, PGA Tour Wives Association and Wells Fargo Championship raised $35,000 for The Shelter Expansion Fund
The First Gaston Foundation, Inc. awarded $35,000 toward The Shelter Expansion Fund
At “Run For the Money 9” Shelter supporters raised $33,525.50 to provide assistance with childcare, women’s and children’s support groups, court advocacy and other unmet needs of Shelter Residents
Construction of The Shelter’s new addition and renovation begins
A private donor contributes the funds to hire a part-time Volunteer Donation Coordinator
North Carolina Senator Kathy Harrington appoints the Shelter Coordinator to a two year term on the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission
Cathy Cloninger is chosen as Gaston County’s “2011 Person of the Year”
The Shelter’s work to end domestic violence continues! |