Shelter expansion is a ‘defining moment’ for domestic violence survivors in the East Bay

LIVERMORE — For Christine Dillman, executive director of Tri-Valley Haven, there’s nothing worse than telling someone who is trying to escape an abusive partner that the nonprofit’s shelter is full.

During the coronavirus pandemic — which reduced capacity — and amid the survivor-led #MeToo movement, Dillman said the organization’s shelter for those fleeing domestic violence has often been full.

“It’s so hard when somebody is calling — they’re a family in Pleasanton, and they’re fleeing and we have no space,” Dillman said in an interview. “Of course, we do everything we can. We work with other shelters, but that family doesn’t necessarily want to go to San Jose or Oakland or somewhere out of the area.”

Now, Tri-Valley Haven, which is based in Livermore, is moving toward what Dillman described as a “defining moment” for domestic violence survivors in the East Bay. It plans by early next year to break ground on a $7.5 million rebuild of its shelter, named Shiloh. The Dublin City Council this month agreed to provide $240,000 to the project from a pool of Community Development Block Grant money.

The project will expand the shelter’s capacity by 50%, from 30 to 45 beds. It will also replace two decades-old buildings that Dillman said are falling apart. About a year ago, the organization was forced to close one of the shelter buildings because of mold. The other building has roof and plumbing problems.

“The current domestic violence shelter does not represent how I want to care for people,” Dillman said. “And that breaks my heart.”

Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness. According to data in Alameda County’s 2022 homelessness Point-In-Time Count, 27% percent of those in families with children cited domestic violence as a cause of their homelessness.

Tri-Valley Haven — which also provides services for those experiencing homelessness and hunger, and those who are victims of sexual assault — has launched a capital campaign to raise money for the project. So far, it’s raised about $5.5 million — or about 75% of the project’s estimated cost — through a combination of public and private contributions. The cities of Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton, and the county of Alameda are contributing a combined total of around $3 million, Dillman said.

Typically, the nonprofit serves about 250 people per year at its shelter, she said. And while the shelter houses people from all over Alameda County — and southern Contra Costa County — more than 50% are from the Tri-Valley.

“Maybe they grew up in this area or they’ve lived here for the past 10 years or they work in this area; but they have strong connections to the Tri-Valley, and that’s why they want to be here,” Dillman said.

The new facility will introduce major improvements, including individual sleeping rooms, a computer lab, a Japanese rock garden and dedicated playground areas for children, she said.

With the services of landscape architecture firm vanderToolen Associates, they’re also building in “a lot of greenery and just have it be a calm space where families can take a minute and play with their children,” Dillman said. She added, “This is a building that really can take us successfully 50 years into the future.”

Data on domestic violence paint a grim portrait of the problems in Alameda County. The Domestic Violence Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office annually reviews about 5,000 arrests, but often finds it difficult to prosecute. In some cases, survivors may be reluctant to testify at trial, or they may recant statements provided to police.

Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments, or SAVE, which provides shelter and crisis services for victims of domestic abuse in Fremont, also is often at capacity, said Jennifer Dow Rowell, the nonprofit’s executive director.

Tri-Valley Haven’s expansion project, Dow Rowell said, is “so needed” as it provides a critical part of the community’s safety net.

The organization’s rebuilt shelter is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025, Dillman said. Temporary housing services for survivors of domestic violence will continue during construction, she said.

And while the nonprofit hasn’t yet reached its funding goal, it’s confident it will hit its target.

“We’ll reach it. We will,” Dillman said. “We have a number of foundations that have said they will step in, and I know that they will.”

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, you can find support by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. In the Bay Area, you can call 211 for referrals to shelters and other services.