Started as a personal mission by Fran and Mary Thomas after many women entered their mission store seeking safety, Fran and Mary started taking women and children into their home. In 1988 Martha’s House was incorporated, and has been the only certified DV shelter program in Okeechobee County ever since. Having gone from a trailer in the back yard, to a converted barn, in 2000 we moved the shelter to a 24 bed group home style shelter offering safety and services to those who need it. In 2008 we built an outreach center and administrative office on the site of the original barn shelter.

Continuing to serve all victims of domestic abuse, women children, male or female, no matter background, race, creed, lifestyle, or identity, is our goal, and moving our community toward healthy relationships and an intolerance for violence is our passion.