LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County is expanding support for domestic violence survivors with Gayle’s House 2.0, an upgraded and ADA-accessible shelter operated by LifeStyles of Maryland.
Dina M. Barclay, director of Charles County Community Services, provided an update at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, as part of the Charles County departmental update. She highlighted several ongoing projects, including the expansion of domestic violence support services.
The new Gayle’s House will be the second domestic violence home for women and children that LifeStyles will own and operate.
“This is a larger home than what they had at the initial Gayle’s Place—that’s why we’re calling it Gayle’s Place 2.0,” Barclay said. “There were some issues with access for the original Gayle’s House, and that was one of the initiatives for looking for something else.”
Funded through a Community Development Block Grant, the home replaces the previous Gayle’s Place shelter and expands capacity for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The new facility eliminates LifeStyles’ monthly lease costs, saving approximately $2,100 per month, which will be redirected to other supportive services.
Gayle’s House serves as a safe house for survivors of domestic violence in Charles and St. Mary’s counties, offering case management, transportation, counseling referrals, and other resources in a secure and supportive environment.
Sandy Washington, executive director of LifeStyles, attended the meeting alongside community leaders to discuss the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to provide stable housing for Southern Maryland residents.
LifeStyles provides a continuum of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing services for Southern Maryland residents. Housing is provided in a structured environment, where activities such as chores, budgeting, and life skills development are part of the program plan.
For more information, email HousingAndHomelessServices@lifestylesofmd.org.
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