A Place of Healing – A Voice of Hope.
ABOUT LYDIA'S HOUSE
Transitioning victims of domestic violence from crisis to confidence.
Lydia’s House offers secure housing and immediate community for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. We have 50 confidentially located, fully furnished apartments where families can find refuge, safety and support. Our transitional housing is one of the largest in the country and the only program of its kind in eastern Missouri.
Each family at Lydia’s House is provided an advocate to help guide them through the process of recovering from abuse. All family members are connected to support services, including individual and group resources, to help them build the skills that are necessary not only for surviving but thriving in the wake of trauma.
Our staff are involved in:
- Advocacy
- Children's Programs
- Licensed Therapy
- Immigrant Services
- Advocacy
- Children's Programs
- Licensed Therapy
- Immigrant Services
- Development, Outreach & Administrative Services
- Maintenance & Facilities Support
- Spiritual Support
- Development, Outreach & Administrative Services
- Maintenance & Facilities Support
- Spiritual Support
Our Approach
At Lydia’s House, our approach to spirituality is open and inclusive. This perspective is not guided by the credo of any specific faith tradition. Rather, our goal is to help women get in touch with their own unique beliefs, and to offer resources that can help them nurture and care for their spiritual self. We believe offering an inclusive atmosphere honors women wherever they are on their personal journey, and allows them to choose whether or not their spiritual self is nurtured in connection with a particular faith tradition.
Our Approach
At Lydia’s House, our approach to spirituality is open and inclusive. This perspective is not guided by the credo of any specific faith tradition. Rather, our goal is to help women get in touch with their own unique beliefs, and to offer resources that can help them nurture and care for their spiritual self. We believe offering an inclusive atmosphere honors women wherever they are on their personal journey, and allows them to choose whether or not their spiritual self is nurtured in connection with a particular faith tradition.
OUR MISSION
If you are interested in donating or would like more information about Lydia’s House,
please contact our development coordinator at (314) 771-4411 or development@lydiashouse.org.
Our Team
The team at Lydia’s House is comprised of 12 full-time and 5 part-time staff members, supported by our dedicated volunteers. Due to the confidential nature of our work, the names of individual staff members are not posted.
Volunteering: volunteer@lydiashouse.org
In-kind Donations: development@lydiashouse.org
Tax Credits & Financial Donations: info@lydiashouse.org
Faith & Spirituality: info@lydiashouse.org
Pins by Lucinda: pinsales@lydiashouse.org
All Other Inquiries: info@lydiashouse.org
Our History
1994
Mary Albert, Martha Brunell, Dawn Stringfield and Doris Waggoner felt called to begin a ministry for abused women and their children. In speaking with other St. Louis-area domestic violence service providers, they found the community’s greatest need was for transitional housing and support services for survivors of domestic violence.
1995
1996
Lydia’s House opened its doors with one full-time staff member. A second two-family building was donated and renovated by volunteers.
1997
The first residents achieved their goals and moved into housing of their own.
1998
A $250,000 capital campaign was launched to provide funds to purchase a multi-family apartment complex. Lydia’s House then sold one of the original buildings and purchased a larger apartment building which was modified to provide a combination of efficiency and one- and two-bedroom units. The staff expanded to three full-time employees to keep up with the growing organization.
1999
The new, larger building opened to residents, and Lydia’s House grew to serve 12 women and 18 children at a time in confidentially located, furnished apartments. Peer support groups were added to the programs, as well as community activities to provide additional support for the families served by Lydia’s House.
A Children’s Program was developed and staffed, and grew to include scouting, summer camping and activities and an after-school program. The Community Education and Outreach Program was added to create awareness of domestic violence and provide resources to the community. A program coordinator was added to the staff to support each woman as she worked toward independence.
