History

In March of 1984, the Human Services Council of Fayette County established a task force to explore issues and concerns involving family violence. At the first meeting, the Fayette Family Task Force selected child abuse as their focus. One year and one month later, in April 1985, the Fayette Family Task Force began to address the issue of battered women resulting in the founding of Fayette County Council on Battered Women.

Promise Place, originally called The Fayette County Council on Battered Women, was incorporated in 1987. With just 2 women and a pager, used as a crisis number, they diligently sought to help women in crisis. Through the addition of many volunteers, the organization grew and the name was changed to Fayette County Council on Domestic Violence. More services were added including legal advocacy and support groups.

In the 1990’s, a building donated to the organization was renovated with start-up funding from the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Foundation and became a transitional house for women and children in crisis called ‘Lighthouse.’ This house, of 5 apartments, provided refuge where women and children fleeing abuse could stay for up to 18 months.

1994 teen dating violence prevention classes began, offered to all 9th grade classes in Fayette County.

2004 brought expanded domestic violence services throughout the Griffin Judicial circuit to include Spalding, Pike and Upson counties.

2007 Promise Place opened the Griffin Judicial circuit’s first domestic violence shelter.

Today Promise Place has an office in each of the 4 counties in the judicial circuit and provides services to over 3,000 individuals per year through emergency shelter, a 24 hr emergency hotline, legal advocacy, weekly support groups, relocation assistance, financial assistance, crisis counseling, safety planning, a teen dating violence prevention program in all area high schools, follow up services and community education.