Nonprofit Spotlight: Safe Homes Domestic Violence Center

Domestic violence will affect 1 in 4 American women at some point in their lives.

SafeHomes’ goal is to help domestic violence victims become survivors.

“We consider it to be everyone’s right to be free from fear and that no one should ever be treated cruelly. Through advocacy, we honour each client’s inherent worth, no matter where they are in their path. One family at a time, we work to break the cycle of violence through educating people. And by raising awareness, we enable our neighbourhood to speak out against domestic abuse and assist victims in becoming survivors.

No one is immune from domestic violence. No matter an individual’s age, gender, culture, social standing, or any other characteristic, abuse is about power and control.

HISTORY

A group of Augusta-based women came together in 1979 to discuss how to support other women who had experienced domestic violence. Although the scope of the issue wasn’t obvious at the time, many of the involved women were aware of the need due to their prior work as volunteers or paid employees in churches and social service organisations. At the time, there were no local agencies providing aid to domestic violence victims.

The SafeHomes shelter then became operational in 1983. Eighty women received assistance that year, and more than 500 women received assistance in just two years. SafeHomes launched a $3 million capital campaign in February 2014 to construct a new building that would more than double the organization’s ability to assist victims. And they inaugurated the brand-new 14,500-square-foot structure in June 2016.
With an annual effect of more than 2,000 people and their families, SafeHomes is now much more than just a shelter. Up to 24 people can be housed at once in the emergency shelter, which is part of a programme of directed and focused services for women, men, and children, but we also provide vital assistance to non-residential victims of abuse through outreach.

In 2019:

. 1,672 persons received 17,996 services.
. 400 adults and children,

. totaling 310 youngsters, received refuge for 4,606 bed nights.
. A talk against domestic violence was attended by more than 4,000 members of our community.