Safe Spaces
The YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter features:
21 apartment-style units, including two fully ADA-accessible spaces, giving families privacy with their own bathrooms, kitchenettes and living rooms.
Wraparound support services located on-site, with space for partner agencies to provide holistic care, from legal services to wellness programs.
Community and resident multipurpose rooms designed for workshops, group activities and resource distribution.
Dedicated spaces for children and teens, including a Teen Room and Playroom, recognizing that approximately 50% of shelter residents are minors.
A 24/7 hotline center that manages almost 3,000 calls annually, connecting individuals in crisis to life-saving support.
Resource Center and Laundry Facilities that foster independence and empowerment.
Pet kennel and outdoor play areas to accommodate the needs of families and their loved ones.
Learn about the shelter and YWCA’s Mission Forward campaign at https://ywcacincinnati.org/.
“The YWCA’s new shelter reflects a powerful commitment to dignity, compassion and safety from the first moment a survivor walks through our doors,” said YWCA Greater Cincinnati CEO and President Rickell Howard Smith. “We are proud to be a beacon of hope and a model of trauma-informed care for our community and beyond.”
Today, YWCA Greater Cincinnati celebrated the grand opening of its new domestic violence shelter, a powerful step forward for women and families seeking assistance in their path to survival. The new facility doubles the organization’s capacity to serve survivors of domestic violence in the Cincinnati region.
The shelter is at the heart of YWCA Greater Cincinnati’s $11.5 million Mission Forward campaign, which supports critical investments in shelter renovation, expanded racial justice and gender equity advocacy as well as long-term sustainability. The shelter, at 3565 Van Antwerp Place. Cincinnati, 45229, is designed with a trauma-informed approach to promote dignity, autonomy and healing for survivors.
Trauma-informed design is a philosophy that focuses on creating safe, supportive environments that promote healing for those who have experienced trauma, factors that are critical for domestic violence survivors fleeing violence. It recognizes that the physical environment can impact a person's well-being and behavior, and its goal is to minimize triggers and promote positive experiences.
At the shelter, this begins during the intake process, which prioritizes sensitivity, efficiency and privacy. Children are able to be seen in an adjoining room. Bedrooms and bathrooms are private, amenities not possible in the YWCA’s current shelter.
Every element of the new shelter was created through the lens of trauma-informed design, providing survivors the ability to choose solitude or community in their healing journey. "Dignity comes with choice," said Steve Kenat, architect and principal at SHP Inc., who led the project’s design. "We have built spaces for private reflection and communal connection, empowering survivors to heal on their own terms."
YWCA Greater Cincinnati has been a national leader in domestic violence services since opening Ohio’s first shelter in 1978. It continues to operate the only domestic violence shelters in our region – one in Hamilton County (Avondale) and one in Clermont County (Batavia).
The new shelter marks the next chapter of growth, expanding emergency capacity from 67 to approximately 110 individuals nightly, and replacing the organization’s previous congregate model with a modern environment.
“We are not just building a shelter. We are building hope, resilience, and a future free from violence,” said Smith. “This new space will ensure survivors have the dignity, support and resources they need to thrive.”