Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a series of articles focused on the partner agencies and programs that are served by the United Way in Montgomery County.
This story discusses the topics of domestic and sexual abuse. If you believe you are a victim, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. If you feel like you’re in immediate danger, dial 911.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, an average of 24 people per minute become victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Meanwhile, more than 25% of children in U.S. households have claimed to have witnessed family violence in their lifetime. With nowhere left to go, victims often turn to the over 2,500 emergency shelters available to those in need of immediate assistance. One of them lies in Crawfordsville, where over 170 individuals, including children, were served in 2025 alone.
Since 1979, the Family Crisis Shelter has served thousands of residents across Montgomery, Fountain, Boone, and Putnam counties. Over the years, they have put an emphasis on providing clean and nurturing environments to the people they have in their care. The property is closely monitored to help ensure safety from abusers. Residents also receive personalized care from qualified experts who assess their goals and needs.
“Everybody is given a case manager, and what we do is we try to give them the resources they need to start over,” said Joyce Baker, the executive director for the Family Crisis Shelter in Crawfordsville. “We are a 90-day program, where we provide shelter, food, and clothing to victims of domestic and sexual violence.”
Baker has been an employee of the shelter for over 11 years, offering support services to hundreds of individuals: no matter the background or economic circumstance. She rose to the role of executive director in 2024.
“The job is fulfilling in a lot of ways; it’s also challenging in a lot of ways,” Baker said. “In most part due to the lack of affordable housing, the shelter has stayed full.”
Identifying abuse can be challenging. Aggressors can utilize multiple tactics that often go unnoticed by victims. Some of these include the need to control; isolation from family and friends; as well as withholding money and job opportunities.
“A lot of times, it sneaks up on you,” Baker explained.
Assistance with seeking resources such as food stamps, insurance, housing, and employment are offered through the shelter. Support groups on a variety of topics are hosted regularly, giving people a chance to pick up life skills or talk through traumatic experiences. Kathy Walker, who is the youth advocate, often serves as a parental figure to the children.
“I have an individual who still comes and sees me once a month despite not being a resident for four years,” Baker said. “The support does not end when you leave.”
When an individual calls the shelter asking for assistance, they are first assessed based on the situation they are living in. If it is determined they are being abused, they are then given information on the shelter’s programs and its location. An interview, called the intake, is conducted to determine their needs before a tour of the facility is given. Each resident is typically assigned a case manager within 24-48 hours, where weekly meetings are held to monitor progression.
“We are a 24/7 operation that is open 365 days per year,” Baker said. “Our phone number is 765-362-2030. Even if you’re not sure about your circumstance, we are willing to talk with you.”
Volunteers are also welcome to join the team. Those interested must undergo a drug screen and a background check.
The Family Crisis Shelter is a partner agency of the United Way in Montgomery County. As a non-profit, most of their funding comes from donations and grants. Each government cutback makes attaining necessary supplies such as toiletries, food, and utilities a difficult task.
“The United Way helps fill in all those gaps,” Baker said. “Their funding helps us get necessities such as food, medications, bedding, insurance, and even light bulbs. With the cost of living continuously rising, it’s a relief to know that we can provide safe comfort to our residents thanks to them.”
The United Way has given $53,000 to the shelter in 2025.
“I think people should support the United Way because they help with so many programs locally,” Baker said. “Those dollars can go a long way to help organizations like ours continue what we do to serve Montgomery County.”
The United Way in Montgomery County is raising $320,000 in 2026 to help local non-profits like the Family Crisis Shelter continue to provide their services. Learn more about their impacts by visiting www.uwlafayette.org/montgomery.
Kurtis Broadstreet is the 2026 campaign chair for the United Way in Montgomery County.
