YAKIMA, Wash. – The Yakima YWCA is set to transform the old St. Elizabeth Nursing School building into a new emergency domestic violence shelter. This initiative continues the organization’s longstanding mission to support those in need.
Cheri Kilty, CEO of the Yakima YWCA, has been with the organization for eight years. She highlighted the severity of domestic violence in the area, stating, “The Yakima County has the highest rate of domestic violence along with Spokane. We’re the two highest in the state when you look at the statistics, whether it’s police calls or coming to domestic violence services. So there’s a lot of hurting families here.”
The project started in 2021 and is now moving forward with renovations costing approximately $17 million. Funding comes from government grants, donations, and the American Rescue Plan Act.
Kilty explained the necessity of the new shelter, saying, “We knew that we were already turning away, so to speak, didn’t have space for 400 families, and we knew that was not acceptable, and as the years have gone on now we’re up to over a thousand families that we haven’t had space for. So we knew this was really a critical issue for us.”
The new facility will feature over 100 beds and 45 rooms, including a men’s shelter. It will also provide educational opportunities to foster healthy relationships among future generations.
“We really want to make sure children get a good start and understand what are healthy relationships, healthy behaviors, and kind of set them on a path so they may not end up being a victim of domestic violence or maybe abusing somebody,” Kilty said.
The shelter is expected to open its doors to families in the spring of 2026.
