Overview

Great Circle operates three separate emergency shelters for children and women dealing with  domestic/sexual violence, family crisis or who are homeless. The shelters provide short-term housing, for up to 30 days, for children, ages newborn to 18, and women who cannot remain in the family home for safety reasons.

For the children, the shelters:

• provide a safe haven while they are awaiting either reunification with their families or alternative long-term housing in a foster care placement.
• provide temporary shelter when the family is experiencing a short-term crisis.

During their stay at the shelters, individuals also can connect to other Great Circle behavioral health services to address their psychological and physical needs.

Springfield – Children’s Emergency Shelter/Ozark Family Resource Center

Great Circle’s Ozark Family Resource Center (OFRC) has been serving primarily children in southwest Missouri since 2001. Located on the Springfield campus, 1212 West Lombard, it can house a maximum of 20 children.

OFRC shelters youth who:

• Need short-term housing because of a family emergency or crisis. Click here for crisis care services and information.
• Have recently been removed from the home for safety reasons.
• Are homeless or are unsafely housed and not in foster care. Click to learn more about Empowering Youth.

Poplar Bluff – Children’s Emergency Shelter & Ozark Foothills Child Advocacy Center

The children’s emergency shelter in Poplar Bluff opened in October 2018 and serves primarily children in southeast Missouri. It is located at 2701 Holly Trail. It can house a maximum of 9 children.

The Poplar Bluff shelter houses children who:

• Need short-term housing because of a family emergency or crisis. Click here for crisis care services and information.
• Have recently been removed from the home for safety reasons.

This location also houses Great Circle’s Ozark Foothills Child Advocacy Center, which provides compassionate forensic interviewing and sexual assault exams in response to alleged child abuse situations. The Center also provides advocacy and support to child victims and non-offending parents/caregivers, and referrals to mental health counseling. Click here for more information.

Doniphan – Women’s Crisis Shelter

The shelter, which has been operating since 2003, serves women and children affected by domestic violence and homelessness in southeast Missouri. Along with safe, secure housing, the shelter provides guidance and support with related legal issues, counseling services, and housing & clothing assistance to help families rebuild their lives. Click here for more information.

24/7 Emergency Helplines

Do you need emergency shelter for yourself or a youth in your care? We are here to help! You can call our emergency helplines to discuss how we can help:

• In Springfield/southwest Missouri, (417) 861-4244
• In Poplar Bluff/southeast Missouri, (573) 609-2227
• In Doniphan/southeast Missouri, toll-free (800) 681-1419 or (573) 573-351-1185