Our Approach
Our History
1979: The Beginning
The Greene County Domestic Violence Project (the Project) began as a two-bedroom apartment in Yellow Springs in December 1979 as a project of the Greene County Welfare Department.
1980s: Incorporation
The Project was incorporated as a private, not-for-profit corporation. It moved to its first house in Xenia, which operated with one staff and several students. The Project relocated twice more until 1984, when it settled into its long-term site in a large Victorian House in the Water Street District of Xenia. It remained there until 2001.
1990s: Significant Expansion
The Project introduced professional counseling and educational programs for adults and children, including school-based initiatives in Greene County’s junior high and high schools. In 1995, a partnership with the Xenia Police Division created the nationally recognized DIVERT program, improving law enforcement’s response to domestic violence. By 1997, a $1.5 million community-supported campaign secured the Xenia Grace Chapel site. During this time, the agency became a Certified Mental Health provider, expanding its services and programs countywide, marking two decades of comprehensive family violence support.
2000s: New Facility
In June 2000, the Kathryn K. Hagler Family Violence Prevention Center broke ground at 380 Bellbrook Avenue, Xenia, honoring Mrs. Hagler’s contributions as a public servant in Greene County. The facility, opened in May 2001 at 380 Bellbrook Avenue in Xenia, provided nine shelter rooms for up to 32 survivors and allowed for the expansion of family violence prevention services. Over the years, it added a Domestic Violence Intervention Program, received continuous accreditation from the Council on Accreditation since 2006, expanded to include nine modern bedrooms in 2014, and became an accredited Rape Crisis Center in 2019, further enhancing its support for sexual assault victims.
2020s: Rebranding
In 2022, the Family Violence Prevention Center underwent a major transformation, starting with a strategic plan that emphasized inclusion. With a $1.2M grant from Greene County Commissioners, the organization evaluated options for expanding its facilities, ultimately rebranding as “Violence Free Futures” in early 2023. This rebranding included renaming its locations and adopting a new logo symbolizing hope and healing. The new Outreach Campus, completed in summer 2024, at 193 South Progress Drive, Xenia, offers comprehensive services for domestic and sexual violence survivors, having already supported over 9,173 individuals throughout the year.
Our Partners
