100625 MONDAY NEWSCAST FAMU TV 20 NEWS AT 5

A8: LIVE SHOT

THE REFUGE HOUSE IS LOOKING FOR FOUR MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION TO INCREASE

EMERGENCY SHELTER. ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND

FAMILIES THE REFUGE HOUSE SERVES AS ONE OF THE ONLY CERTIFIED DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE CENTERS IN THE STATE. REFUGE HOUSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMILY

MITCHEM SAYS THE CURRENT FACILITY ONLY HAS TWENTY-THREE BEDS BUT SERVES SIX

COUNTIES IN THE BIG BEND. MITCHEM ALSO SAYS THE NEED FOR A NEW FACILITY IS

URGENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO REJECT AROUND A HUNDRED PEOPLE EVERY MONTH.

THE REFUGE HOUSE LOOKS TO HAVE RAISED THE FOUR MILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT

THREE YEARS TO MATCH THE GROWING DEMANDS FOR THEIR SERVICES.