By Staff
EDITORIAL BOARD Leslie Payne, longtime employee and newly named executive director of Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter. Payne met late last week with The Meridian Star's editorial board. Photo by Sharon White/The Meridian Star
By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
Domestic violence is an ugly problem, and one that crosses all demographic lines.
Payne met late last week with The Meridian Star's editorial board.
Care Lodge, located in Meridian, is a shelter for victims of battering and domestic abuse. It serves residents in nine counties, including Lauderdale County.
She said although the two had different backgrounds, they shared a common bond. Payne has witnessed the bonding among victims over and over again during her seven-year tenure with Care Lodge.
In the last 12 months, Care Lodge has served 135 families which included 187 children. That total does not include non-resident families.
The shelter its location kept confidential for the safety of its clients houses 40 people comfortably, but in an emergency can hold up to 50 clients.
Payne said in addition to reporting domestic violence, there is a lot residents of this community can do to help.
Payne refers to construction projects she is plans to put into action in the near future.
Bathrooms that do not function properly, the need to convert a pantry into a bath and a sprinkler system are all priorities for the next several months, she said.
To help with these projects, or to inquire about help from Care Lodge, call 693-4673 or 693-HOPE.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@meridianstar.com.