Family Crisis Shelter expanding efforts to Watford City

WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KUMV) - A new domestic abuse shelter is coming to Watford City.

Marie Collins with Family Crisis Shelter said they purchased a home in town that they will use to help domestic assault and trafficking victims.

She said she hopes to fit up to 15 people at a time once it’s renovated.

Collins said she wants a shelter in McKenzie County to keep people close to their support groups and not force them to move to the Williston location.

“We’re an hour away from Williston. We have to transport back and forth, and then they are uprooted from their jobs and their schools. These kids are uprooted, so you’re almost traumatizing them all over again to get them to Williston when we can have a shelter right here in Watford,” said Collins.

McKenzie County Commissioners approved funding to help with the renovations.

Collins said she’s aiming to have it open in October.