Red Oak nonprofit outlines expanded family-violence services, requests local support

The Red Oak City Council heard a presentation from Heights Ellis County Family Resources on Aug. 10 outlining expanded services for victims of domestic and family violence and asking the council for continued local support.

Jennifer Salzman, executive director of Heights Ellis County Family Resources, told the council that “41 percent of women and 26 percent of men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime,” and that the organization has seen nearly 2,000 clients over the last five years. Salzman said the nonprofit now operates a high-lethality domestic-violence shelter and, since opening an assault clinic on April 30, has served seven adult victims through the clinic so far. A board representative told council members the organization is operating on roughly $3,000,000 per year to sustain staff and services and is actively pursuing state and federal grants while seeking local support during the city’s budget process.

The presentation emphasized public-safety benefits: staff said the organization provides immediate safety, child-wellness programming (175 children served in events last year and 58 Camp Hope participants), and coordination with law enforcement and courts to strengthen investigations. Council members asked clarifying questions about volunteer needs, donated items, and how the organization uses partnerships; the Heights provided a list of volunteer roles and on-campus needs including childcare support, boutique donations and event volunteers. Salzman and the board representative requested the council consider local funding during budget season, describing the organization as a public-safety initiative that complements police and county services.