Our Story
Nearly Five Decades of Courage, Compassion, and Community
How It Began — A Community That Said "Enough" (1978)
In 1978, a small but determined group of advocates in the Foothills of North Carolina recognized a crisis hiding in plain sight: women and children trapped in violent homes had nowhere to go and no one to call.
With deep faith in their mission and limited resources, these community founders established Shelter Home of the Foothills, creating the region's first safe refuge for victims of domestic violence.
The vision was simple but radical for its time: no survivor should ever be turned away. No matter the hour, the circumstances, or the complexity of the situation — the door would be open.
SHOF was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, rooted in the belief that safety is a human right, not a
privilege.
Growing to Meet the Need — Expanding Services and Reach
What began as emergency shelter quickly revealed a deeper truth: survival required more than a safe place to sleep. Survivors needed legal help, emotional support, and a path forward.
Over the decades, SHOF expanded its services dramatically — adding a 24/7 crisis hotline, legal advocacy, transportation assistance, safety planning, and trauma-informed counseling for both adults and children.
Geographic growth followed: SHOF extended its reach from Caldwell County into Alexander and Catawba Counties, creating a tri-county network of support across the Foothills region.
The organization grew from a small shelter into a comprehensive survivor services agency — one of the
most trusted in Western North Carolina.
The Plum Blossom SAFE Center — A Landmark Achievement
One of SHOF's proudest milestones was the establishment of the Plum Blossom SAFE Center — a dedicated, compassionate space for Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations (SANE services).
For survivors of rape and sexual assault, the journey to justice often begins with a forensic exam. The Plum Blossom SAFE Center ensures that exam happens in a private, trauma-informed environment — not an emergency room crowded with strangers.
SANE-trained nurses conduct examinations with skill and gentleness, collecting evidence that supports
legal accountability while treating each survivor with dignity.
The Plum Blossom SAFE Center represented a leap forward — not just in services, but in the statement it made: survivors of sexual violence deserve specialized, expert care.
The Survivors We Serve — By the Numbers
900+
Survivors Served Annually
650+
Adults Served Each Year
250+
Children Protected Each Year
56
Bed Capacity Across All Campuses
3
Counties Served: Alexander, Caldwell & Catawba
47+
Years of Continuous Service Since 1978
24/7
Crisis Hotline - Available Every Day of the Year
84%
Of Budget Directed to Direct Program Services
Our Services Today — A Full Continuum of Care
- Emergency Shelter
56-bed capacity, 24/7, confidential locations, no one turned away
- 24/7 Crisis Hotline
Trained advocates available every hour of every day
- Transportation & Safety Planning
Help leaving safely, transportation arranged
- Legal Advocacy
Court accompaniment and protective order assistance in all three counties
- Trauma-Informed Counseling
Individual and group therapy for adults and children
- Plum Blossom SAFE Center
SANE forensic exams for rape and sexual assault survivors
- Community Outreach
Unsheltered victim services, prevention education, community partnerships
Our Financial Stability — Accountable Stewardship
$995,077
FY 2024-2025 Total Revenue
$1.13M+
Total Assets
84%
Directed to Program Services
47%+
Revenue from Private Donations
Looking Forward — Still Here, Still Fighting
Nearly five decades later, the mission has not changed. The need has not disappeared. In fact, the challenges have grown: human trafficking, the opioid crisis, and housing instability have deepened the complexity of the situations survivors face.
But so has SHOF. With an experienced staff, a tri-county network of services, and a community that continues to invest in this work, Shelter Home of the Foothills is stronger than ever.
The work is not finished. As long as there is violence in our homes and our communities, SHOF will be here — answering every call, opening every door, and walking beside every survivor toward safety and healing.
"For nearly fifty years, our answer has been the same: come as you are. You are safe here. You are believed here. And you are not alone."
— LISA A. CLONTZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
If You Need Help, We Are Here
Crisis Line: (828) 758-7088 - Available 24/7
Admin: (828) 758-0888 | www.shelterhomecc.org | director@shelterhomecc.org