About Us
Who We Are
Sanctuary, Inc. is a non-profit agency committed to providing healing services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence within the nine-county area of the Pennyrile Area Development District including: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg.
All services are provided compassionately, confidentially and entirely free of charge.
A Letter from Our Executive Director
It’s no secret that the community’s support for Sanctuary is most vital to its success and is the reason for the agency’s ever– evolving expansion of services over the years. We are grateful for your desires to support our agency and the interest you share for investing in people.
As the needs of our communities continue to climb, Sanctuary remains committed to serving families who have and are currently affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse. Opportunities for healing are endless because of you.
In my time working at Sanctuary, I’ve seen unfathomable support come through our doors and have met many caring people who show their passion for this cause. I believe the beauty in our partnerships comes from the way which support has been shown. From serving as a member of the board, to volunteerism of campus beautification projects, preparing and cooking hot meals for residents, to providing financial assistance at Christmas and other times throughout the year. Support comes in all shapes and sizes and we thank you for choosing to bless Sanctuary with your time, talents and contributions.
To our partners and supporters: You are invaluable and cherished and I hope you always know the significant ways you impact someone and the journey they’re on. Your spirit of giving reflects your hope for their success and happiness.
Thank you for pouring your heart into Sanctuary, Inc., believing in the work we do and providing hope to families across out nine-county region. We look forward to serving alongside you.
Sincerely,
Heather M. Lancaster, MPA
Our Board of Directors
FY 2024-25 BOARD MEMBERS
Elizabeth Oldham, President
Sandy Grogan, Treasurer
Mary Beth Baker, Secretary
Tami Taylor
Jordan Talley
Holly Boggess
Melanie Barrett
Ellen Bowles
Amanda Baxter
William Owen
Tracey Clark
Tiffany Luna
Betsy Scroggins
BOARD MEETINGS
Meetings are at noon on-site at Sanctuary, Inc.
Board Meeting
September 25, 2024
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 2024
Board Meeting
November 4 , 2024
Board Meeting
January 27, 2025
Board Meeting
March 24, 2025
Board Meeting
May 19, 2025
All Are Welcome Here
Our Vision: To deliver caring, comprehensive support to victims of personal violence in the nine-county area of the Pennyrile Area Development District. We seek to empower through crisis intervention, peer support, victim advocacy, counseling and community education.
Our History
Sanctuary, Inc. was established as a non-profit organization out of a grassroots concern about the far-reaching societal impact of domestic violence. The original goal was to educate the public about domestic violence and to offer victims of this terrible crime a comprehensive range of services.
December 1982
A walk-in counseling center for spouse abuse victims was established in Madisonville offering 24-hour crisis counseling, individual counseling, court advocacy for victims, information and referral services, and a speaker’s bureau for increased public education.
March 1984
A 12 bed residential shelter was established in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. This shelter provided temporary lodging for abused women and their children in a safe, secure environment. During these early years, Sanctuary primarily offered residential services.
1987
Our agency expanded its services to include a non-residential population. Sanctuary started a support group for victims/survivors, became a stronger presence offering legal advocacy in district court, and began to provide public education in schools and civic groups.
1988
An increased demand for shelter and staff led Sanctuary’s board of directors to move the agency to a larger twenty bed facility. That same year, Sanctuary further expanded its services by opening its first outreach office in Hopkins County.
1989
Sanctuary became a multi-purpose agency with the advent of a job-training program for homeless victims of domestic violence.
1992
Sanctuary accepted the challenge to provide crisis intervention services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Sanctuary’s Rape Crisis Center was opened in September of that year after Kentucky’s General Assembly appropriated $100,000 to provide the rape program. The addition of the rape program resulted in the expansion of crisis line services, information/referral services, public education services and individual/group/family counseling services. In addition, the agency added therapy services, consultation services, medical advocacy and an organized volunteer program.
1995
Rape crisis services were expanded to the 8 counties of the Pennyrile region, and a master’s level staff member began to provide support/therapy services in those counties. Outreach services continue to include medical advocacy, legal advocacy, case management, information/referrals, counseling, and weekly support groups.
1997
Sanctuary began renovation of a downtown hotel in Hopkinsville.
Fall 2000
Sanctuary opened its new facility and expanded program services to include six transitional housing units, one handicap unit, two individual occupancy units, two two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit.
December 2004
Sanctuary added five permanent housing units.