By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — For one area agency business is booming, but it’s not without mixed emotions.
Heminger House, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, opened less than a month ago. Friday they were officially at full capacity.

“We have seven rooms and they are all full,” said Linda Clevenger director of Heminger House. “We have one bed available but it’s in a room with a woman and her son.”
While Clevenger is happy to be of assistance to those in need, it doesn’t come without some mixed feelings.
“I was hoping we wouldn’t be so busy,” she said. “When we first opened, the board suggested that we start slow with just one or two rooms. After the second week, the phone started ringing and ringing and I didn’t have the heart to turn anyone away — and the board agreed.”
Five of the rooms house victims from Marshall County. Two rooms have women sent by outside agencies who are in hiding.
“To show what kind of stories these women have, I had one tell me that her goal was to have a place stable and safe enough that her son could play sports,” said Clevenger. “Another had come from an environment so controlling she didn’t know how to make Kool-Aid.”
Security issues at the house have also gotten top priority.
“We screen everyone who comes in pretty closely,” she said. “The cameras are on and we have 24-hour staff.”
There are also needs with having so many residents so quickly.
Mattresses and beds are an immediate need, as well as gift cards to purchase items for children such as diapers and health items. Food such as hamburger and fresh fruits and vegetables are a need and someone to donate an empty house where one mother can move her four children immediately as they are in hiding.
Volunteers are also on the need list.
“We have to run the house for the first two years on private donations to prove to the state we are stable before we can apply for any money,” said Clevenger. “We need volunteers who are willing to come in and listen and help. Of course, by supporting United Way you are helping us as well, but we have to run the place with good volunteers.”
Anyone wishing to lend a hand can call Clevenger at 574-936-SAFE.