By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma and Blackbelt Regional Abuse Sanctuary is opening its doors to victims of domestic violence in Greene, Sumter and Marengo counties.

Harriet’s House in Demopolis served them along with Choctaw and Clarke counties. The center closed its doors on Nov. 21 due to a lack of funding. The Penelope House in Mobile now serves victims in Choctaw and Clarke counties, while the S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary in Selma now handles the other three.

“Thank goodness that they’ve got shelters close by that can help out,” said Nancy Travis, executive director for the S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary. “It’s good that we can pick up the slack.”

Travis said the impact of taking on three additional counties remains unknown to the S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary at this time.

“Right now, we’re not sure. We still haven’t gotten all the figures yet on that center, as to how many people they serve,” she said. “That’s something we’ve got to wait and see on to determine what we need to prepare for.”

Travis said the S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary immediately made sure victims in the three new counties were taken care.

“We welcome them, and we’ll take of them and all of their needs,” she said. “We’ll do everything we can to keep them safe. That’s what S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary is all about keeping the women and children and even men safe from abuse.”

Travis said she understands why Harriet’s House had to close.

“We rely on a lot of grants, and we have to spend the money and then ask for the money back from the grants,” she said. “Then we have to wait for the money to come in, and that puts us in a financial bind sometimes.”

With the holiday season here, Travis encourages the community to do anything it can to help the victims.

“For [Harriet’s House] to be closing right at the holiday season is really a bad time,” she said. “That’s why we’ve put out a plea for more donations. People in our area have been very generous. When I put a plea out they are ready to respond.”

The S.A.B.R.A. Sanctuary offers shelter, food, clothing and other resources to domestic violence victims.

The sanctuary encourages victims of domestic violence that are in need of help to call the 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-650-6522. Victims can also call the S.A.B.R.A. sanctuary at 874-8711.