Back in 1993, a local group of dedicated citizens met at a donated house in Rolla’s Powell Addition neighborhood and began work to move it across town for a new purpose. Over the following years, that home was transformed into not only a safe space for refuge, but a source of empowerment.
Today, it’s called The Russell House, a regional resource center and shelter for anyone escaping situations of domestic or sexual violence. The history, accomplishments and continuing impact of The Russell House will soon be celebrated less than a mile from where its journey first started. On Oct. 5, its core team and their supporters will invite the public to a special 25th Anniversary Ball at The Havener Center.
“It is amazing to see the change we have in so many lives,” says Amy Beechner-McCarthy, current Russell House interim director and long-time volunteer with the organization. “It is an incredible difference from when someone first arrives in the parking lot, and can’t even look someone in the eyes, to when they leave with confidence and are able to use what they’ve learned to go out and help others.”
Since opening its doors in 1994 the Russell House has provided services to 2,585 adults and 2,128 children as of April. Help is available to all regardless of gender, residency or age. Its reach also now extends to educational programs in area schools, batterer intervention groups and outreach offices in Phelps, Maries, Crawford and Dent counties. Two 24-hour crisis lines are additionally available at (800) 998-8340 for domestic violence and (888) 570-3703 for sexual assaults.
“It is amazing to work in such a phenomenal and generous community,” says Kathleen E. Croker, an attorney and client advocate with the Russell House. “There are great connections here with law enforcement, the hospital, different healthcare providers and so many others. People have a real sense of teamwork here, and every day not only help our clients but also work toward preventing this abuse from occurring.”
Judge Mary Sheffield of the Southern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals perhaps knows of the growth and impact of The Russell House as much as anyone in Missouri. She was one of the 15 founders who signed the original incorporation forms for Phelps County Family Crisis Services, the nonprofit which built and manages the Russell House. Sheffield shared the story of the Russell House’s birth and growing impact recently during the organization’s annual meeting in Rolla.
“I became a judge in 1983, but it was not until the late 80s and early 90s that it became plain to me and several others that there was no mechanism in this area to provide assistance for women and children in domestic situations,” Sheffield said. “I have a very clear memory of how things were handled in 1990. Money was given through grants to distribute to women who suffered domestic violence and to provide temporary housing. Rolla had such money. The method used to distribute that money was that if a woman suffered from domestic violence she could appear in front of the city council, explain her situation on live TV, and ask the all-male city council to distribute that money to live for a couple of nights in a hotel with her children. And of course, she would naturally go back and live with her abuser.”
Sheffield said a core group in the community knew such a situation was unacceptable and began meeting at the Presbyterian Church to ensure a better future. On Sept. 7, 1993, they formally incorporated Phelps County Family Crisis Services. Those on its first board included Sheffield, Brenda Acosta, Nancy Crutchfield, Kristy Dilley, David Duncan, Ralph Hasleg, Sue Kramer, Sharon Meusch, Merrie Miller, Bonnie Ranney, Catherine Riordan, Marilyn Smallwood, Carol Ann Smith, Hugh Stewart and Sandy Stuller.
“I remember both myself and Judge Ralph Hasleg, then both of us associate circuit judges, appearing in front of the city council as well and being grilled by the members as to why we wanted to handle the money in a different way and set up a shelter for women,” Sheffield said. “As one city councilman stated, up to that point, no woman had ever appeared in front of him and they didn’t really see that there was a problem. Obviously, we had no abused women in Phelps County.”
Sheffield said incorporation and the house donated by a Missouri S&T professor proved decisive in establishing a regional shelter.
“One bright day we put his house on a huge truck and literally moved it across town,” Sheffield said. “Our board put up sheetrock, finished floors, rebuilt windows, shamelessly requested donations, and I have never had such a wonderful time in my life.”
On Jan. 24, 1994, the Russell House opened its doors and was soon after at full capacity. The facility was named after Dr. Barbara Russell, a local pediatrician who saw the firsthand results of domestic violence on mothers and their children.
In the beginning, The Russell House was a three-bedroom home in which 14 bunk beds were placed. It had 1.5 bathrooms. In 1997, its space was expanded to 6,400 square feet with 34 beds. In 2009, a 4,238 square foot addition was completed, and today The Russell House has 54 client beds, eight offices, an enlarged dining room, a family room, storage areas for food, clothing and diapers, and a large area for children's programs.
“Having served as judge on hundreds of adult abuse cases, sexual battery cases, and cases where women refused to identify their batterers for fear of repercussions, I can tell you that this organization has made a difference,” Sheffield concluded in her speech. “It has been an honor to work with the people who started this organization and the people like each of you who have continued the dream and made it a reality.”
Beechner-McCarthy and Croker say the efforts of the community through the Russell House and Phelps County Family Crisis Services will be the cause of celebration for the upcoming 25th Anniversary Ball on Oct. 5. The event is sponsored by the Rolla area Edward Jones teams and will have a Roaring 20s theme. It will also feature a night of music, dancing and delicious foods in Rolla’s most prestigious venue. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the operation of the Russell House and programs of Phelps County Family Crisis Services.
Beechner-McCarthy and Croker say more details will be released as the 25th Anniversary Ball approaches.
For tickets and to learn more about the event or donate to The Russell House and Phelps County Family Crisis Services, visit www.pcfcs.org for more information.
