Besides the $3 million per year it takes to run Genesis, the organization also relies on a team of about 200 volunteers. “Without our volunteers, we couldn’t run,” says Lacy Deckard, Genesis’ Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteer opportunities include everything from baby-sitting children while their mothers attend counseling to attending court proceedings on family violence in support of the women at Genesis. Volunteers can also work in the thrift store, represent Genesis at health fairs and answer the hotline. The group includes working women, retirees, stay-at-home moms, college students and (yes!) even men. While men are discouraged from answering the hotline, all other areas are open. “We love to have men come out to the shelter and shoot hoops with the kids. They need that positive male influence. [It shows them that] there are great guys. They can be one of these great guys,” says Deckard.

Even with their large bank of volunteers, says Langbein, “It’s never enough. We have over 200 women and children on a waiting list. We would love to expand our services.” Among her plans? To become multilingual, to expand their job program, to create a school inside the shelter and to better educate the community, including programs reaching out to deaf women and school children. Still, despite 15 years of service to the cause and helping countless women, Langbein can never rest. “I lie awake at night thinking about it,” she says.