As their number of occupants rise and their budget is slashed, officials at a domestic abuse shelter are depending more and more on the kindness of strangers.

The number of abused women and children at Haven House Family Shelter has more than doubled in the past four years, but thanks to community donations the agency has been able to offset a drop in state and federal funding.

The shelter serves women and children who are attempting to escape domestic violence situations in a seven-county area including Warren County.