• This agency operates on a philosophy of self-determination and empowerment, remaining non-judgmental toward clients, their values, lifestyles, and life choices.
• An environment of security and support allows clients to make informed choices about their situation and the role of an advocate/counselor is to move a client from where she sees herself to where she wants to be.
• It is the philosophy of this organization to approach the problem of domestic violence holistically by working to strengthen and enforce current laws and by educating the public of their responsibility to ensure zero tolerance of domestic violence in the community.
• We stress early intervention, prevention, and our services are centered on strengthening families and providing a continuum of care through community resources and referrals.
All services are offered free of charge and are designed to achieve and maintain
a self-sufficient lifestyle free from violence.
Shelter
S.A.F.E. Place, a 46-bed residential facility located in Battle Creek, Michigan provides temporary and emergency shelter for adults and their children victimized by domestic violence. Our shelter is open and a crisis line is in operation 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. We provide all services free of charge.
While in residence, clients receive support services which enable them to make informed choices in an environment of support and security. Most clients come to the shelter on an emergency basis, therefore most personal care items are provided. Community donations of furniture, carpet, and household items are provided to those who need to establish a new household.
During a shelter stay, we provide group counseling, crisis and support counseling, information, referrals, and advocacy for legal, health, housing, financial, and transportation needs.
During FY 2009-2010:
We served a total of 1,611 clients.
We provided 11,311 nights of shelter.
152 adults and 179 children received our residential services.
Children's Services
Our program provides one-on-one and group therapy for children. Counseling services are important because children from violent homes tend to become perpetrators or victims later in life. If these issues can be addressed and altered early on, it can be one of the best ways to stop the abuse from being passed on to future generations.
Age appropriate support groups are held on premises for residential and non-residential children. The groups provide an opportunity for children to process their feelings about the violence they have experienced and to role model alternative ways to handle anger. A therapist provides groups for residential children and for non-residential children requiring aftercare.
Additional activities include field trips, special events, educational activities, and structured play activities. Childcare in the Children's Toy Room is provided by Foster Grandmothers while the adult survivors participate in counseling and support groups. Individual counseling is provided to adult survivors with children concerning parenting issues and a group meeting is held for developing and enhancing their parenting skills.
During FY 2009-2010:
253 residential and non-residential children benefited from the crucial services provided by our children’s program.
Family Advocacy
Our program, funded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), provides victims with many important services including court accompaniment, assistance with Personal Protection Orders (PPO's), outreach services, and after care.
The Family Advocacy Program was designed to prevent further victimization and homelessness. Additionally, our program helps many victims pursue their legal options. Many clients have indicated that they would have been too overwhelmed to obtain PPO's, press charges, go to court, etc., without our advocates' assistance.
These services are available to individuals needing assistance, whether or not they have been or are in a shelter. To contact a Family Advocate, please call (269) 965-7233.
During FY 2009-10, our advocates helped 1,137 adults and 24 children.
STOP Program
The Calhoun County STOP program is a partnership with the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement, the court and service providers that works to strengthen existing support systems serving battered individuals and their children. This is done by developing and sustaining a coordinated, broad-based community response committed to enhancing and improving the prevention, intervention, and elimination of domestic violence.
Public Education
We believe that education and community awareness are essential to prevention efforts. Our Public Education Program works to educate the public about the issues victims face, such as legal and policy issues, prevention and treatment for victims and assailants, and the social and economic barriers that force victims back into abusive situations. Our program also acts as a liaison with various media to promote awareness of the services provided by S.A.F.E. Place. In addition, we promote our “Battered Hearts: A Story of Family Violence” DVD that depicts victims and their children. Proceeds from the DVD support our residential and non-residential programs.
Supportive Housing
S.A.F.E. Place was the recipient of competitive grant funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence and their children. CLASS (Climbing the Ladder to Achieve Self-Sufficiency) experienced a 100% success rate in its first two years of operation.
