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Safe Haven Ministries celebrates its 30 years combating domestic violence with more than $427k in federal funds

A white sign with purple letters that reads, " October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month"
"October is Domestic violence awareness month" by zappowbang is licensed under CC BY 2.0
October is Domestic violence awareness month

Executive Director Rachel Verwys said her team served 79 households in their shelter in 2020, providing more than 8,860 nights of safety.

Safe Haven ministries is celebrating its 30th anniversary combating domestic violence, with a federal grant of more than $427,000. The news comes just before National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October.

Safe Haven was founded in 1990 as a shelter, named Ramoth House, for individuals and families experiencing relationship abuse. At its inception, Ramoth House had capacity for three individuals and their children.

With years of growth and the move into a new facility in 2018, Safe Haven Ministries, now provide safe shelter for up to 56 individuals, including children, on a given day. In 2020 Safe Haven Ministries received 2,715 crisis contacts through their 24/7 phone, text, or web chat crisis support and served 79 households in their shelter, providing 8,866 nights of safety.

“COVID has created loss and grief and hardship in our community... and we have seen our crisis contacts increase in the last 18 months," Rachel VerWys, Executive Director, said.

Safe Haven Ministries took on the increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping its shelter open and expanding access to services like its text and call hotline and telehealth communications. The organization hopes to continue its growth with the help of more than $427,000 in federal funding it received through the Victims Of Crime Act, after a competitive application process.

“This opportunity to get increased funding really comes at a critical time as we as a community I think leaning into how we best serve how we walk with people and the complexity that COVID has presented," VerWys said, adding that the funding will help expand services and increase prevention and educational efforts during a time that shows a sharp incline of survivors coming forward.

“This opportunity to do prevention education in a workplace if an employees identifies being in a relationship that is violent and abusive and how do they have the right steps in place to not only care for the employee but help them seek resources," VerWys explained.

To learn more about Safe Haven and how to engage in Domestic Violence Awareness Month events this October, click here.

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