The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner, and 20,000 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines each year.
ALTUS - ACMI House of Altus has provided a safe, temporary place of transition for southwest Oklahoma’s domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking victims since 1982.
Although October, January and April promote awareness of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner, and 20,000 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines each year.
The Center for Disease Control reports 7.5 million people will be stalked during their lifetime.
ACMI House is an emergency shelter and part of a network to help victims in Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Kiowa and Tilman counties move on to their next step in their lives.
In 1978, a colonel at Altus Air Force Base and his wife united with Christian Ministries to start a 1-line crisis hotline. It was open for just one hour a week. But when the calls came pouring in, it was evident more work needed to be done. By partnering with Community Action Council, the next year, the hotline’s services grew, and more victims were able to be helped. By 1982, a temporary shelter had been created and in 1983, ACMI House, Inc. was established, enabling the program to receive federal and state funding.
ACMI House provides solace for 220 to 250 victims each year. Its 17 queen-size beds, as well as several overflow beds have been filled for most of the past three years. Many times, victims and their children share beds until their safe, more-permanent housing needs are met. ACMI House also works with government agencies and other community outreach programs to help victims get IDs, clothing or even bus tickets to their family.
ACMI House Program Director Holly Grace states that District Attorney’s ‘No Drop’ policy has empowered victims who might otherwise be forced to return to their same abusive situation. Now, victims of domestic violence are no longer able to drop charges against their assailant.
Grace has been with the program since 2007. She explains that victims are oppressed psychologically, and ACMI House helps them provides more than just a temporary place to stay, they come up with an ‘empowerment plan’. She said when a victim leaves a situation, they may just have the clothes on their back. ACMI House and partnering organizations do whatever they can to help victims get the things they need.
“It’s important for victims to know that we have resources available,” added Bilingual Advocate Yenia Hernandez. “We’re here to help.”
ACMI House is primarily supported by federal and state funds through grants provided by the Victims of Crime Act, Violence Against Women Act, and Family Violence Prevention Services Act, but Grace added that the community wants the program to succeed.
“Small things like hygiene products add up and cost a lot of money,” said Grace. “Those costs take away from things that could help victims meet their long-term goals. We’ve been fortunate in having the support of Altus Air Force Base, churches, civic groups and our base of volunteers-they want to see the program succeed- but we could always use more help.
“We’ve raised $5,000 to build an addition to the shelter. We’ve also increased our services to promote outreach and awareness and have expanded our bilingual program,” she said.
The plan to provide an additional eight beds with a handicapped accessible bathroom to the emergency shelter is in the works. That addition is estimated to cost $20,000.
ACMI House is a 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible.
To make a donation or request more information, call
(580) 482-3800, or visit ACMI House online at: www.socag.org/programs-menu/101-acmi-house.html.