About Safe Shelter
Our History
Our story starts...
In the 1970s, SAFE Shelter was a dream shared by four local women, Lucy Brannan, Norma Brewin, Harris Lentini, and Caroline Armstrong. There were shelters in Savannah, but no one place for victims and their children who had to leave their homes to escape the violence. Through their hard work and determination, SAFE Shelter was established in 1979.
In 2001, the current SAFE Shelter facility opened. With 48 beds, it is the second-largest emergency domestic violence shelter in the state of Georgia. Safety, comfort, and healing describe the shelter’s atmosphere. State-of-the-art security surveillance equipment, partnerships with local law enforcement, and a dedicated staff keep our families safe. SAFE Shelter is certified through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and is a United Way Agency that provides all services at no cost to the victim.
SAFE Shelter does not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.
Our Mission
Prevent. Protect. Change.
Our mission is to prevent domestic violence, protect victims, and promote change in lives, families, and our community.
Since 1979, SAFE Shelter has been Savannah’s only shelter dedicated to victims of intimate partner violence and their children under the age of 18. Open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, the Shelter provides safe, confidential services to all victims of domestic violence.
Board of Directors
- President, Suzanne Cooler
- Vice President, Dennis T. Jones
- Secretary, Sarah Holland
- Treasurer, Heather Coleman
- Candace Blyden
- Julie Hayes
- Mary Anne Hogan
- Kyle Galenstein
- Zach Gilstrap
- Naekeisha Jones
- Greg Mortimer
- Gabrielle Nelson
- Quin Peterson
- Zach Thomas
- Kayla Williams
Staff Advocates
- Shannon Bates, Chief Executive Officier
- Kathryn Bostwick, Director of Development
- Dorkese Davis, Legal Advocate
- Latisha Davis, Lead Case Manager
- Raven Hall, Co-Shelter Manager
- Nachelle Joans, Co-Shelter Manager
- Daisy Hernandez, Director of Outreach and Community Education
- Samone Johnson, Legal Advocate
- Cydnie Kaplan, Administrative Community Liaison
- Tamaress Schwartzfisher, Administrative Operations Manager
- Shanique Smith, Outreach Coordinator
- Hailey Thorpe, Child Advocate
- Tia Wallace, Case Manager
- Andrea Wilson, Child Advocate
- Danyell Wright, Development Assistant
- Rosalyn Hagan-Blidge, Facilities Maintenance Specialist
Resident Advocates
- Jalissa Hagood
- Shenita Jackson
- Louise Joshua
- Sheila Johnson
- Tricia-Ann Keitt
- Mary Lockett
- Jessica Manning
- LaTrond (Denise) Mitchell
- Jessica Williams
- Lydia Williams
- Sara Wright
