The River Valley Shelter

Founded in 1984 by a group of dedicated community members, The River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Inc. (RVSBWC) has grown into a comprehensive, trauma-informed organization that empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children. What began as a grassroots effort has become a vital refuge for individuals across Arkansas and beyond, offering confidential, no-cost services throughout every step of the journey to a violence-free life. Our programs include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, counseling, and housing assistance. Each of these services reflects our deep commitment to meeting survivors where they are with safety, compassion, and respect. RVSBWC believes that intimate partner violence, be it mental, physical, sexual, or verbal, is a misuse of power and control in personal relationships. We also recognize that societal acceptance of power imbalances allows this violence to persist. That’s why we are not only dedicated to helping individuals heal but also to dismantling the systemic conditions that enable abuse. Our doors are open to all in need regardless of sex, race, age, religion, economic status, or ability. We uphold the simple yet powerful belief that Having Options Promotes Empowerment (H.O.P.E.), and we center that principle in everything we do. Whether through emergency refuge, long-term advocacy, or community-based education, we are here to walk alongside survivors as they reclaim safety, dignity, and control over their lives.

The River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children, Inc. (RVSBWC) is dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence and their children while working to eliminate violence on both personal and societal levels. We believe that intimate partner violence, whether mental, physical, sexual, or verbal, is a method of control rooted in power imbalances. Ending this cycle requires not only immediate safety but also long-term systemic change. Our Safe House in Russellville offers a confidential, secure refuge with 24/7 staff support in a warm, home-like setting. Residents have access to food, clothing, toys, and personal bedrooms, along with shared living spaces and a backyard for children, providing a foundation for healing from the very first moment. Through our Outreach Office, we offer personalized advocacy, safety planning, and education to both survivors and their loved ones. We support individuals with employment assistance, housing advocacy, and drop-in services, and we collaborate with community partners to ensure survivors are surrounded by compassionate, informed support at every turn. Our Housing Program helps survivors navigate toward independent, sustainable living, offering case management and limited financial support. Survivors are also connected to wraparound services that meet their evolving needs. Our Thrift Store extends care and dignity by allowing clients to select clothing and essentials tailored to their comfort, often for the first time in years. It also serves the broader community, offering quality, gently used items that benefit our programs and those we serve. All services are provided free of charge, without discrimination. At RVSBWC, we hold to the simple truth that Having Options Promotes Empowerment (H.O.P.E.), and it is through that lens of choice, dignity, and safety that we walk alongside every survivor.