Domestic Safety Resource Center in dire need of financial help

Domestic Safety Resource Center (DSRC) in Lamar provides a vital service to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking not only in Lamar and Prowers County, but also for victims in Baca, Kiowa, and Cheyenne Counties.  It operates under the umbrella of an IOG (Interagency Oversight Group) for the About F.A.C.E. (Families and Communities Engaged) collaborative management program.  The IOG is part of a state-mandated program designed to coordinate services within these four counties. DSRC’s services have, in the past, received their major funding from Federal grant money, the last of which supplied $88,000 to the program.  However, due to budget cuts by the current administration, they saw this funding source disappear for 2026 and are uncertain what the future holds for them.  They were part of the two-thirds of similar grant-funded programs who lost this funding. You might say they are running on fumes at this point, hoping to be able to continue in at least some capacity by the generosity of local fundraisers and donations as well as a few smaller grants they receive.

I met with Jennie Navarrette, Executive Director of DSRC, to learn more about what the non-profit does and I came away feeling humbled by the passion she and Tammy Delarosa, her assistant, have for the work they do but also frustrated that, if more funding can’t be found, the services they provide may no longer be available, despite the ongoing need.  Both Jennie and Tammy have been victims of domestic violence themselves, which fuels their desire to help others, knowing they’ve been that woman who found herself scared and not knowing where she and her children could go or where to look for help.  It is this insight into how these situations affect the victims that makes their work so valuable for others. Currently, without any federal funding, DSRC finds itself looking for another location to use as office and counseling space, as they can no longer afford the rent where they are located. Jenny says she has reached out to the City of Lamar as well as the Prowers County Commissioners for any help they can provide but no suitable locations have yet been identified.

Basic operating costs amount to $120-130,000 a year. This covers not just payroll, but the many expenses incurred in helping these victims. A large part of their budget is allocated for emergency food and housing for victims who may have had to leave a violent situation with nothing but the clothes on their backs and frequently no money in hand or access to same.  Often, in addition to food and clean clothing, diapers and formula are immediately needed.  Obviously, there is a large disparity between what they now receive and what it takes to keep their doors open.  Currently located in Village Center in Lamar, they will be unable to afford the rent and are desperately looking for somewhere to base out of.  Jenny says she has reached out to the City of Lamar as well as the Prowers County Commissioners for any help they can provide.  She has not yet learned of any available space that might be available through either entity.

Jenny gave me an overview of a typical situation her agency might encounter. Calls can come from victims themselves, but most often are made by law enforcement who have been called to scenes of violence.  Most often, women or women/children are the victims, but at times it is men who are in need of help.  On scene, a law enforcement officer asks the victim if they would like assistance (the program is strictly voluntary) and if so, that’s when Jenny and Tammy step in. One of them is on call 24/7 and can provide bilingual services to law enforcement as well as to victims. In most cases, emergency shelter is needed – whether the victim is afraid to return to the home, a door has been kicked in and the home is unsafe, etc.  Since our area does not have a dedicated shelter, this means motel/hotel rooms need to be obtained.  Currently, only one local motel offers any type of discount and none assist by offering complimentary rooms to the organization.  Most often, Jenny says, this housing is only needed for 2 or 3 nights while a more permanent solution can be found. She says that frequently the victims her office encounters involve children as well, so Jenny’s first order of business after getting them safely into shelter is to immediately provide them with food and any needed clothing for a few days.

She credits local organizations such as Helping Hands (who provide free clothing), Sparrow House Ministries (who provide emergency food boxes) and Cornerstone Resource Center (who provide diapers/formula, hygiene kits, and more) are a blessing when it comes to helping with additional emergency assistance.  She is also very thankful to the Zonta Club of Prowers County and its help monetarily as well as for the “Love Bundles” which they donate to local hospitals that offer SANE testing for victims of sexual assault. These bundles often include toiletries and other necessary personal items.  However, there have been times when money for food, diapers, formula, etc. has had to come out of Jenny’s own pockets due to the time of day or when there is no other money available.  “I have to make sure they eat” she said, adding “sometimes they leave with only the clothes on their back and have no money in the bank or that money isn’t accessible to them” acknowledging that she can’t in her heart leave them with nothing but a motel room and empty stomachs. Even those victims lucky enough to have family members living elsewhere who can take them in requires time and  money on DSRC’s part to get them there safely.  As part of a more permanent solution, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) can, at times, help with longer-term housing assistance when they have funds available but these funds are also dependent on grants.  DSRC also works directly with the county Department of Social Services to assist victims and offers “healthy relationship” classes in their office for these women or men to help them learn how to navigate either their current relationship or any future ones in a more positive fashion.

Her office is still awaiting reimbursement money for the last quarter of 2025 from the IOG but money from them will be non-existent for 2026. In the past, DSRC also received money from VALE (Victim Assistance Law Enforcement)grants but even those funds have been drastically slashed.  She can’t apply for more money from these grants until 2027.  She has been applying to any foundations and grants she can, but the clock is ticking for her office if more funding can’t be obtained.  She is grateful for offers of fundraising help, including one recently made by Anthony LaTour (Lamar Parks and Recreation Director).  LaTour said he would organize a 5K run for DSRC, scheduled to occur on April 18.  He said he would provide flyers, drinks, and volunteers for the event as well as garnering volunteers for it.

How can you help?  You can donate money directly to the nonprofit via Venmo ( @Lamar-DSRC), offer to host a fundraiser or support ones such as the 5K or the annual Fantasy Tree event.  DSRC doesn’t have a website, but is active on its Facebook page, where a QR code for their Venmo account is listed.  Also, feel free to call the office at 719-336-4357 to learn about any items them may be in need of or to simply get more information about their services.  This community has always generously stepped up to provide help for local people in need – I would encourage those reading this article to do the same for Domestic Safety Resource Center so that it can continue its important work for those who may have never thought they would need its services. “There but for the grace of God go I” should be a reminder to us all.

By: Barbara Crimond