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A Resolution recognizing the Weaver Domestic Violence Center for 20 years of dedicated service to the Nashville community.
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WHEREAS, the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee first opened its domestic violence shelter in Nashville in 1980; and
WHEREAS, in 1997, the Metropolitan Council approved the donation of land to the YWCA to build a larger domestic violence shelter in order to address the increasing need for domestic violence assistance; and
WHEREAS, the larger Weaver Domestic Violence Center opened in the year 2000, and this center is now at an undisclosed location in Nashville and has 40 beds, and is now called the Weaver Center; and
WHEREAS, the Weaver Center has 51 rooms, and is the largest shelter of its kind in the state, and provides a place for single women and women with children in crisis to escape from unsafe situations; and
WHEREAS, the Weaver Center provides women and their children with wraparound services including basic necessities such as food and clothing, and provides specifically designed programs such as onsite therapy, and self-care classes; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the Metro Nashville Police Department adopted the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), which is an innovative strategy to prevent domestic violence homicides, which has significantly helped the Weaver Domestic Violence Center; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, as a result of the increased number of calls and need for services after implementation of the LAP program, the YWCA expanded the Weaver Center to add 15 more beds, bringing the total number of beds to 65; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Weaver Center has seen an increase in calls, and in response, they expanded the 24-Hour Crisis Line to include a text services. It is the only 24-hour domestic violence text line in Tennessee, and with the rise in calls and texts still continues to serve families fleeing violent homes; and
WHEREAS, each year, the YWCA Weaver Domestic Center serves more than 500 individuals and children; and
WHEREAS, since its opening, the Weaver Center has been able to serve more than 8,000 women and children in need and has responded to more than 25,000 crisis calls; and
WHEREAS, this Metropolitan Council wants to commend the YWCA for the work that the Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter has accomplished in the Nashville community over its 20 years of service.
Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the Weaver Domestic Violence Center for 20 years of dedicated service to the Nashville community.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.