Hands of Hope: Christos House tiny homes offer privacy, healing for domestic violence survivors

By Kimberly Langston,
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What type of person finds themselves in need of domestic violence services and shelter? People from all backgrounds and financial situations. In many cases, adult victims and their children find themselves suddenly without a safe home or the stability needed to recover emotionally and physically.

The nature of domestic abuse often leaves victims trapped in relationships because they have become socially isolated and financially dependent on an abuser. Lasting recovery from this trauma requires not only long-term separation from the abuser, but a sense of normalcy and control.

Providing a safe, quiet and private space and meeting the emotional and physical needs of domestic violence survivors has been the goal of Christos House for 43 years, according to organizational leaders. The nonprofit serves Howell and surrounding counties, as well as Wright and Carter counties.

While a network of safe houses has operated across the region for decades, the organization’s home base has been located in a former school building in Howell County for the past 20 years. Serving as a group home for women and their children, it is the organization’s largest facility.

It was never an ideal arrangement. The building was outdated and inefficient, and the communal living arrangements provided little privacy for women who often found themselves bunking with strangers during a vulnerable, stressful time. If children were also involved, they shared a single room with their mothers.

Still, through the hands-on dedication of staff members — some of whom have personal experience with domestic violence and starting from scratch — the facility served its purpose for a long time.

Recently however, after years of planning and fundraising, project organizers announced the first of 14 tiny homes was delivered and set on the grounds of the Christos House…

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