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Oct. 7, 2010
Dove Center staff and board members, supporters, and local officials broke ground last Friday for the construction of a new facility off Memorial Drive in Oakland. The center’s executive director, Heather Hanline, called the event a huge accomplishment. “I can’t think of a better way to kick off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month than to be breaking ground on our new facility, which is the product of years of time and effort, creativity, generosity, and community support,” Hanline said. The center was spearheaded 20 years ago by a small grassroots effort to address the needs of domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
Hanline noted the facility had a “humble beginning,” with just two staff members in a small office in downtown Oakland. Since then, the center has grown in an effort to meet an increasing need for its services. About two years ago, a capital campaign was launched to construct a new facility, which will include storage space, offices, and safe, secure shelter for victims. The campaign has raised nearly $300,000 in donations and garnered a $800,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Hanline said she hopes be able to move into the new center by this time next year.
