By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — After eight years of dedicated work by many volunteers, the Heminger House, a safe shelter for women and children of domestic abuse, was officially opened Thursday.
Although the ribbon cutting ceremony was a long time in coming, the shelter is opening just in time for at least three and maybe four families that need emergency care, according to Dean Byers, who has been a part of the project since the idea was voiced. Byers is the executive director of the Marshall County Housing Authority.

He said, “Every week I have a woman come into the office seeking housing as a result of domestic abuse.”
During the  ceremony, Byers presented a token of appreciation to the former Marshall County Victim’s Assistance Director Laura Mann. Mann  not only had the vision for the shelter, but also has been an integral part of the completion.
Byers said, “Laura (Mann) is a superb  fundraiser and gathered the funds necessary to make the local match for the INDOT grant.”
Prior to the ribbon cutting, Linda Mullen Clevenger, executive director the Heminger House Shelter, said, “I feel bad because I’m a newcomer to this project with these dedicated people who have worked on this project almost since day one.”
Mullen asked to read the “Serenity Prayer” as a part of the opening. A portion of what she read is as follows: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
Cutting the ribbon were Mann, Byers, Dee Brown representing the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Jack Stapleton and Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter.
Senter read a proclamation for the city.
He said, “The redesign, refurbishment and renovation of the Heminger House demonstrates that local public authorities and private philanthropy are responsive to the genuine needs of our community. The new center is an excellent example of federal, state, and local units working in cooperation with private businesses and private citizens in the community to meet human needs.”