Women & Children First (WCF), a domestic violence shelter in Little Rock, Arkansas, has announced grants totaling more than $12 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), and the Windgate Foundation to fund construction of a shelter for women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.

A $7 million grant from HUD’s HOME-American Rescue Plan program—as well as grants from HUD and ADFA totaling $1,088,000—were matched by a $4 million grant from Windgate. The funding will support development of a 132-bedroom-and-private-bath facility that will include a kennel for pets and an expansive playground for children. In addition, the shelter will house WCF’s New Forest of Hope Family Peace Center, a multi-agency resource center that will provide support for women and children in areas related to domestic violence, including sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

“The need for an expanded shelter here in central Arkansas is great,” said WCF executive director Angela McGraw. “[The center] is unique because it brings together more than a dozen separate agencies to provide various resources that victims need during the process of leaving a situation where domestic violence threatens themselves and their children.”

“[The Windgate] Foundation recognizes the urgent needs that women face when living with domestic violence,” said foundation executive director Patricia Forgy. “We’re gratified that we can help WCF make a difference in these women’s lives.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/shironosov)