During the day the Bedford Domestic Violence Services shelter is typically empty, but in the past several months more families are staying there at night.
Just last month, the number of people who stayed in the shelter doubled from the year before. Executive Director Leanne Dudley says the growing need is one of the reasons why the organization is wanting to expand.
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The shelter doesn't turn anyone away and even takes mothers and their children from other areas who need help.
"We take clients from all over," says Dudley. "Virginia and even countries in Europe we've had to assist."
There are four bedrooms at the shelter. A total of ten people can stay in the home at a time. Bedford Domestic Violence services hopes to double its capacity to be able to hold more families in the shelter in the next several years.
However before construction happens, the shelter needs to pay off the building which is about $160,000. A big part of raising the money is through donations. Dudley says the community has helped the shelter a lot over the years.
"We have donors bringing food, pots and pans, dishes, shampoo and conditioner," says Dudley. "The Bedford community has rallied for us. They've been supportive of us whether it's monetary donations or actual items."