This is the 17th in a series of stories highlighting charitable giving and the agencies in need in the Miss-Lou.

NATCHEZ — The Guardian Shelter for Battered Families gave hope to 283 women and children during its last fiscal year.

The shelter served 8,562 meals and provided 4,145 nights of service during that same period of time.

They cared for and educated 76 children in the center’s day care center and provided further support for 84 women and children enrolled in the agency’s second stage program.

And to provide those services 365 days a year, shelter Director Donna Miller said she never has too many supplies on hand.

“Just to generally keep the shelter operational from day to day, we need diapers, wipes and personal care items for women and children,” she said.

The shelter is also in need of monetary donations to help fund the services they offer as well as cover operational costs.

The Guardian Shelter, which operates under the umbrella of Catholic Charities, is a shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.

And the shelter strives to provide for more than just the residents’ daily needs. They also provide counseling services, support groups and employment assistance. Their mission is to create confident and independent women.

“We want them to feel as safe as they can be,” Miller said. “At the end of their time here, hopefully they can feel safe and be an independent and protected citizen.”

But Miller said the Guardian Shelter doesn’t just provide for the families they help during their 30-day stays in the shelter; they also provide assistance in the form of household items for families moving out on their own.

Dishes and other kitchen items are high on the list of needs for women leaving the shelter. Bed linens and bathroom supplies are also needed.

“When a woman leaves the shelter, she generally has nothing,” Miller said. “We are constantly trying to locate and buy things for these families.

“Just because a woman has a new apartment, that doesn’t mean she is ready to function without some support.”

The shelter accepts new and used household items for its residents.

“As long as they are in good enough shape that we can use it, we will take it,” Miller said.

“Towels and wash cloths are probably what we get the least of. We also generally run out of small televisions for them to keep in their rooms before the end of the year.

“We like to provide those so the children can have something to watch videos on.”

Providing for both mother and child is something Miller said sets the Guardian Shelter apart from other abuse shelters.

“Violence can sometimes get to the children as well,” Miller said. “Our focus is getting both the women and children service to do all we can do to keep the family together.”

Catholic Charities Director Martha Mitternight said the purpose of the shelter is to break the cycle of abuse some families can get caught in.

“Our hope is that they can form a life where they don’t have to rely on a relationship with someone who is abusive to meet their needs,” she said.