TCN Program Manager Debbie Brownlee explains Soteria’s ten-year history and the 2,820 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that it has served in Logan County. (JAMES BURKHAMER | THE CHRONICLE)
The thunder rolls; And the lightnin' strikes; Another love grows cold, on a sleepless night; As the storm blows on, out of control; Deep in her heart, The thunder rolls.
Quoting Garth Brook’s lyrics from “The Thunder Rolls” (1991) may seem like an odd way to begin a speech, but that’s exactly what Champaign County Common Pleas Court Judge Nick Selvaggio did, as the first guest speaker at the Soteria House’s 10th anniversary celebration at the Holland Theatre Oct. 16.
The judge was driving home a point about the seriousness of domestic violence and sexual assault. The theme of the morning wasn’t that Soteria House is one of several options for domestic violence victims in the area – it’s the only option.
Soteria House is a safe and confidential shelter in Logan County, run by TCN Behavioral Health. The event was organized by Debbie Brownlee, program manager for TCN’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Center.
Approximately 80 people joined together at the Holland to honor the shelter, which opened in 2016. Attendees included dignitaries, law enforcement and supporters.
Brownlee started the ceremony by explaining the name of the house. “Soteria” comes from Greek mythology, and represents the spirit of safety and deliverance from harm. She was grateful to the Holland, and expressed gratitude to Lowe’s for supplying mums, and Easton Water Solutions for donating water bottles.
“Today, we celebrate 10 years of reminding survivors and their children that they are not alone,” Brownlee said, noting that the day was about “remembering how a rural community decided that survivors deserved a safe place to go — and what happened when people refused to give up on that vision.”
The Holland auditorium was adorned in purple – the color that symbolizes domestic violence awareness, and the commitment to ending it.
After a moment of silence, Bellefontaine Mayor David Crissman and Logan County Commissioner Mike Yoder spoke jointly, issuing a proclamation declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They honored the strength, courage, and resilience of domestic violence survivors, and acknowledged the importance of the Soteria House.
Brownlee then asked everyone in the auditorium to stand who supported the cause, either through direct support, donation or belief in the mission. Nearly everyone in attendance stood for the recognition.
The program manager recounted her background, and the history of how Soteria House came to exist. Brownlee began her career after graduating in 1998 from Wright State with a degree in social work – a program she said did not fully prepare her for the challenges of helping domestic violence victims.
A standing recognition from the audience during the 10th anniversary meeting for Soteria House. (JAMES BURKHAMER | THE CHRONICLE)
However, this became her life’s work, beginning with Project Woman in Logan and Champaign counties. She noticed a gap in services, however, in that victims had few options in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence assault. They had to stay in a hotel, rent an apartment, stay with friends or relatives, or move into a homeless shelter.
In 2015, then Attorney General Mike DeWine started an initiative in Ohio to increase the number of domestic violence shelters in the state. He lobbied for and was successful in increasing the Victims of Crime (VOCA) federal grant for Ohio.
Consolidated Care (at the time) offered support, and Brownlee led the initiative to locate a suitable house in Logan County. She said that when she crossed the threshold of that old home, she “just knew” it was the one.
The house was renovated and updated with technology, and soon the Soteria House was born. She remembered the first four survivors on a cold night in February 2016 – along with their children. By the end of the first year, 185 victims had found solace in Soteria House. In its 10-year history, the shelter has helped 2,820 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Logan County.
During his talk, Judge Selvaggio explained the controversy of Brooks’ music video for “The Thunder Rolls” and how it was banned at first. However, as the popularity of the song skyrocketed, it was leveraged by women’s shelters across the nation to increase advocacy.
The judge highlighted the importance of Ohio Senate Bill 1, passed into law in 1997. For the first time, Ohio law established statewide protocols and procedures for law enforcement regarding domestic violence.
He reinforced that while proper law enforcement is important, shelters like Soteria House are critical in the process - providing the umbrella from the storm when “the thunder rolls.”
The next speaker was Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart, who reiterated that law enforcement and prosecutors can only do so much after a domestic violence assault. He was grateful for Soteria House, as the first question to victims is “do you have somewhere safe to stay?”
Stewart stressed the importance of the strong relationship between his office and the TCN staff at the shelter, and the hope for the future that Soteria provides. He mentioned that Brownlee is often called as an expert witness for the prosecution.
The next speaker, Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof, said victim advocacy has grown a lot during his tenure. While Russells Point is a small community of 1,300 residents, he noted that law enforcement is bound to run into domestic violence survivors.
Chief Freyhof is grateful to be part of the “crossroads to communications” between Soteria and his local police force. He said that law enforcement can only do so much, and public service is larger than any single agency.
He was followed by Mary O’Doherty, executive director of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). She said the Soteria House was one of the best domestic violence shelters in Ohio, and that victims are society’s most vulnerable citizens.
O’Doherty noted that 2026 was a historic first in that 9,500 survivors chose to walk away from volatile situations. However, she lamented that many victims in Ohio had to be turned away for lack of space. There were 157 deaths in Ohio in 2025 resulting from domestic violence.
The ODVN executive director is holding out hope regarding the allocation of $20 million in the Ohio budget to domestic violence advocacy. As recently as 2018, there was zero money in the state budget. She said that Ohio spends $0.84 per capita on domestic violence advocacy, while Pennsylvania and Kentucky spend $1.75 and $3, respectively. ODVN lobbies for an increased budget in Ohio, as domestic violence costs $1.2 million in resources and lost productivity.
The last speaker was Rosa Beltre, executive director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. She expounded on the extraordinary difference seen by committed communities, and that just a building is not enough.
She stressed that the 2,820 survivors served by the Soteria House represents real people, and that it’s not just a statistic. She said victims do not have to be defined by trauma for the rest of their lives, and shelters like Soteria make an impact largely not seen.
Beltre looks forward to Soteria’s 20th anniversary, when the Holland might be filled to capacity with community supporters. In an even better scenario, she said the theatre would be empty – as advocates would all be out of a job when domestic violence is eradicated from society.
After the guest speakers, Brownlee spoke about the unique management system of Soteria House. The shelter is run 24/7 by a co-management team of two people. She praised the Emergency Shelter Coordinator and Direct Care Coordinator, Jess and Regina respectively, as “two of the most compassionate and nonjudgmental people I know.”
Toward the end of the ceremony, the Liz Parker Community Award was presented, an annual recognition decided by Liz Parker’s daughter Jenna Schrader. Liz Parker was a certified victim witness advocate for the Logan County prosecutor, before her passing in 2017.
Brownlee said Shrader had decided to give the award to the Soteria House itself for its 10th anniversary. However, she was taken by surprise when the TCN Chief Executive Officer Lori Hreha presented the award to Debbie Brownlee. Hreha explained that without Brownlee’s vision and tireless work, Soteria House wouldn’t exist in Logan County.
The morning was capped off by a presentation of a 10th anniversary commemorative quilt, made by Benjamin Logan teacher Jodie Kavanagh and Anita Stanley, from the Logan Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
Soteria House Commemorative quilt, made by Benjamin Logan teacher Jodie Kavanagh and Anita Stanley of Logan County Piecemakers, is displayed to cap off the 10th anniversary meeting. (JAMES BURKHAMER | THE CHRONICLE)
“This quilt is a reflection of what we have built together—and a reminder that when a community brings its pieces together, it can create something beautiful that offers warmth and comfort to others,” Brownlee said.
The themes of the morning were that “we all built this together”, and the critical need of Soteria House in the community. The speakers all touched on the fact that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can only be helped by the shelter, community support, and law enforcement working together in a common cause.
Survivors are represented by butterflies, reflecting that Soteria enables them to flourish on their own after trauma. The following resources are available at the TCN Crisis Center, for anyone experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault:
Toll-free crisis hotline 24/7: 877-394-1046
Local: 937-376-8700
Text line: 937-446-6411 (M-F 8am to 5pm)
