YWCA Nashville Celebrates Completion of $8.4 Million Weaver Domestic Violence Center Transformation
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee President & CEO Sharon Roberson, Sr. Vice President of Domestic Violence Services, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell join major funders, community supporters and YWCA leaders for a ribbon cutting marking the completion of a multi-year, multi-million dollar renovation to the 26-year old Weaver Domestic Violence Center.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sept. 4, 2026. — YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee celebrated the completion of an $8.4 million, 28-month renovation of the Weaver Domestic Violence Center this week, marking a major investment in the safety, dignity and well-being of survivors of domestic violence and their children.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Tues., Sept. 1, on the Weaver Center playground and brought together community leaders, elected officials, YWCA board members and staff, donors, survivors, and supporters.
The celebration included featured remarks from Mayor Freddie O’Connell, YWCA President & CEO Sharon K. Roberson, YWCA Chief Projects Officer Orin Crouch, Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake and survivor and former YWCA client Rusty Burdge. Tennessee Representative Harold Love Jr. offered a brief invocation, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn sent a letter for the occasion, read by her Field Representative Jay Strobino. Representatives from Congressman Matt Van Epps’ office and Metro Council Members Joy Styles, Brenda Gadd, Jennifer Gamble, and Terry Vo also attended.
"The support and care people find at the Weaver Center for Domestic Violence is life-changing, and investing in this facility shows both the people served and the staff who spend so many hours here that we care about compassionate, dignified, safe spaces for people who experience domestic violence," said Mayor Freddie O'Connell. "Inside these walls, survivors find relief from violence and support for the road ahead. So when we invest in these walls, we invest in them — their safety, dignity, and future."
The building renovation began in March of 2024 and represents the largest renovation of the Weaver Center since it opened in 2000. The project included a complete renovation of client rooms and common spaces, new HVAC and building systems, upgraded safety and security systems, renovated kitchens and bathrooms, a new intake office, staff spaces, and a new backup generator capable of powering the entire campus.
Importantly, Weaver never stopped serving survivors during construction. The two-and-a-half-year renovation was carefully phased, with living areas closed one at a time so emergency shelter and advocacy services could continue throughout the project.
“This project took an incredible amount of patience, flexibility and commitment from our staff, our partners and our community,” said Sharon K. Roberson, President & CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. “We kept Weaver open because survivors needed us, even while walls were being opened, systems were being replaced and the work continued around them. Today, we are proud to give survivors and their children a space that supports their safety and their next chapter.”
The multi-million-dollar renovation was made possible through public and private support, including generous investments from The Frist Foundation, Dettwiller Foundation, the William and Eugenia Cammack Fund, Joe C. Davis Foundation, and Allen Family Foundation, as well as $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from Metro Nashville. Joey Hatch, a former YWCA board member and retired construction executive, helped guide the project from start to finish.
Last year, the Weaver Center provided 18,000 nights of safety to 414 women and children, while Weaver advocates answered nearly 6,000 crisis calls.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the newly renovated Weaver Center and see firsthand the transformation made possible by the community’s investment.
About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Founded in 1898, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA has been providing services to survivors of domestic violence in Middle Tennessee since establishing Nashville’s first domestic violence crisis line in 1979.
YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is one of the region’s leading advocates for women and families, operating the 70-bed Weaver Domestic Violence Center, the state’s most comprehensive domestic violence shelter, along with workforce development, youth empowerment, social justice and advocacy, and educational programs that serve thousands annually throughout the Middle Tennessee region.
For more information about YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, visit www.ywcanashville.com .
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