D.A.R.T. which stands for Domestic Abuse Resistance Team was organized in 1994 with the mission of assisting local families who were trying to leave the cycle of abuse, fear and trauma that they were experiencing at home. 

 

Before the organization was founded, the Ruston Mayor’s Commission for Women were doing all they could with donated resources over the course of several years, but after a study conducted by local law enforcement indicated that domestic violence was a serious and growing issue D.A.R.T. was established. 

 

What began as a small group of board members, a core group of volunteers, one full-time employee and one part-time employee has grown to include twenty-one employees spread across seven parishes including, Lincoln, Jackson, Union, Claiborne, Winn, Grant and Bienville. Each parish has its own D.A.R.T. office and rural advocate. 

 

This organization provides crisis intervention, free and confidential counseling for adults and children, assistance with filing protective orders and shelter. Their first shelter was able to provide housing for up to 8 people in one large room, but in 2001 they were able to acquire a larger shelter that is now able to house up to 12 people with four separate bedrooms. Years later in 2015, funds were raised to build a children’s building on the shelter property and that is where D.A.R.T. currently holds their weekly children’s group and special events.