History:
- The Shade Tree was established in 1989.
- The current main building, located at 1 W. Owens Ave., is 38,000 square feet and was built as new construction in 2000.
- Today, The Shade Tree is a 24-hour accessible emergency shelter and resource center for those escaping domestic violence, human trafficking and homelessness, their children and pets (through a partnership with Noah’s Animal House located on site).
- Noah’s Animal House opened in 2007 and was the first stand-alone full-service pet boarding facility in the country built on the grounds of a domestic violence, human trafficking and homeless shelter.
- The Shade Tree facility offers residential areas with sleeping rooms, a children’s activity center, meals, a healing garden and other services. Additionally, the nonprofit provides case management and programs to in-house and off-site clients including workforce readiness, health services and housing assistance.
- The organization’s mission is to provide safe shelter and resources to abused women and women with children in crisis; as well as offering life-changing services that promote stability, dignity and self-reliance.
- On average, The Shade Tree provides assistance to 15 new families each day.
- The Shade Tree crisis hotline is [855] 385-0072
Water Damage:
- December 4, 2024: initial water incident; repairs immediately started.
- December 18, 2024: second water incident that severely damaged the first floor including laundry facilities, day room, restrooms, staff offices and more.
- First week of January 2025: the building’s dewatering system failed.
- Result of combined water incidents: near-complete loss of plumbing infrastructure in the 25-year-old main faility; significant damage to the building, especially the second and first floors; impacts to entire shelter grounds.
- Since the initial incident through today, The Shade Tree staff and contractors have worked diligently to ensure ongoing security and safety for clients and staff members, including water and air quality.
Current Situation:
Despite the challenges caused by the water damage, operations and services have continued uninterrupted, with the clients who reside at the shelter and the staff working together to adjust and make the best of challenging circumstances.
- Meal service: The kitchen never lost functionality and meal service has continued uninterrupted
- Temporarily moved to accommodate construction: dining area; workforce development center; Children’s Activity Center; staff offices; showers, restrooms and laundry facilities moved to portable units located on shelter grounds
- Residential sleeping rooms: moved to the third floor for all clients; the second floor sleeping rooms are closed
- Construction phase: Demolition
- Job Superintendent: Penta Building Group
Rise & Restore:
The Shade Tree launched the Rise & Restore campaign in May 2025 to raise the funds needed to complete the work of restoring the plumbing infrastructure and reopening damaged spaces throughout the campus.
- Fundraising goal: $5 million
- Naming rights opportunities available: Main Building, $1 million; Children’s Activity Center, $500,000; Healing Garden, $250,000; Donation Center, $100,000
In addition, there are naming rights opportunities available:
$1 million – Main Building
$500,000 – Children’s Activity Center
$250,000 – Healing Garden
$100,000 – Donation Center
