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
Our Board
FY 2023 BOARD MEMBERS
“I believe in Sanctuary’s mission to serve and protect struggling families. The care, compassion and services provided by Sanctuary are crucial to the healing of those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. I am blessed to be part of this organization and I am thankful for this opportunity to support our community.”
“I truly believe in Sanctuary’s mission. I have the privilege to work with an outstanding group of people and together we can help strengthen the organization to provide the best services possible.”
“I serve on the Sanctuary Board in hopes to make a difference in the lives of others. I have been blessed with an opportunity to serve alongside individuals who love and support Sanctuary’s vision to deliver caring, comprehensive support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.”
Tami Taylor
president
Mary Beth Baker
Secretary
Sandy Grogan
Treasurer
“I am constantly amazed by all of the wonderful things that the Sanctuary staff do to provide opportunities for healing. The families at Sanctuary are resilient and inspiring.”
“I love people and I am passionate about helping others. I am grateful for the opportunity to witness the vital work that Sanctuary undertakes daily, ensuring children have a place where they are safe and they are loved.”
“I spent 25 years working in the field of domestic violence and sexual assault, with 18 of those years being at Sanctuary, Inc. I know firsthand the tremendous impact these life-saving and restorative services have on adults and children who have experienced interpersonal violence.”
“Sanctuary removes so many barriers in the lives of the children and mothers it supports. Serving on this board gives me the opportunity to play a role in supporting individuals in one of the toughest times in their lives.”
Amanda Baxter
Holly Boggess
Tracey Clark
Will Owen
“Sanctuary provides a service to individuals who may not have anywhere else to turn. I serve on the board because I believe in their mission.”
“Having been in the healthcare field for over 35 years, it is an honor to serve on the Sanctuary board. … We want to continue to be available in the future to meet the needs of our community, so it is important personally to me we ensure the sustainability of Sanctuary for future families in need.”
Melanie Barrett
Elizabeth Oldham
Tiffany Luna
Betsy Scroggins
Additional Board Members
Stephanie Boaz
Ellen Bowles
BOARD MEETINGS
Meetings are at noon on-site at Sanctuary, Inc.
Board Meeting
September 25, 2023
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 2023
Board Meeting
November 13, 2023
Board Meeting
January 29, 2024
Board Meeting
March 25, 2024
Board Meeting
May 20, 2024
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
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.