02 Sep Friends of SAFE Shelter | September 2016
September 2, 2016
Dear Friends of SAFE Shelter,
I don’t even know where to begin! First of all, I am beyond excited about this update to our website! It’s fresh, easy to navigate and will allow us to keep you up-to-date on the many exciting things we have going on. Even better, now you can contact us with questions, the need for services, or just general information.
I want to thank all of you for your patience as SAFE Shelter has been going through growing pains. Over the past several years, the Board of Directors has been taking a really hard look at our services and at the agency as a whole. The less complicated path would have been to remain status quo. We all know how hard change can be, even if it’s for the best. We started with the agency name and with a critical eye, asked ourselves, does Savannah Area Family Emergency Shelter really reflect who we are now, 35 years after opening our doors? The answer was no.
So it began. Our new name, SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence Services more clearly defines us as your comprehensive agency. Now, hopefully, the shelter will not be confused with animal rescue or a shelter for hurricane evacuation! Our facility not only provides safe, emergency shelter for victims, but offers many services and programs which include legal advocacy and protection, counseling and client-driven service plans. Services are both for clients in the shelter and in our Outreach office.
The winds of change finally blew through SAFE Shelter and we couldn’t be happier! New name, new logo, new and improved website and a Facebook page! And last, but certainly not least, was the grand opening of our Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Center last fall. This beautiful 1,500 square foot room includes a computer lab, bright, colorful furnishings, and flat screen TVs for gaming and movie watching. A recent addition, a baby grand piano, holds court in a corner of the room dedicated to musical expression. The youngest victims of a domestic violence environment now have a safe resource just for their needs. This Center also provides us with the perfect space to hold our annual summer Camp R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Children Kreatively) program.
A big, big shout out to Meg (Albertson) Pace and Sheila Grossman (both members of the SAFE Shelter Board of Directors) for working so hard to design the new website. As the Executive Director, I have been blessed with a devoted, passionate Board of Directors whose sole focus is to keep SAFE Shelter’s doors open to serve this community for many, many years to come. Behind the scenes is a staff working long hours, coping with frustration and sometimes grief. The needs of the client and their family are the focus of this profession. The Safe Shelter staff are the backbone of this agency and I consider myself the luckiest director in the world because of them.
In closing, we are also excited to remind you of our fundraising event the Annual SAFE Shelter Gala, formerly called CHAIRity, Etc. The 2016 SAFE Shelter Gala will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at the Plantation Club on The Landings. CLICK HERE for additional information.
As always, my best to all of you for your support all these years! We are here to serve this community and will remain dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
Cheryl Haven Branch
Executive Director