A domestic violence shelter in Russellville is at risk of shutting down after losing federal funding it needs just to keep the lights on.

The River Valley Outreach is in desperate need of funding, and Mandi Geels, the Outreach's director, says that if this program is forced to shut down, it could be costly for the community.

Lives will be lost," asserts Geels.

Their funding stems from the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. The act issues federal funding to victim services all across the country. Funding that has helped keep the River Valley Outreach open. Funding that now, is no longer coming their way.

"I have to lay off every single one of our advocates except myself and our shelter manager, and we're going to try to keep the shelter open as long as we can," says Geels.